A Tangled Web

by A L Fraine

  “We can see that,” Jon replied.

  “It was a shame what happened to him,” he said. “Demoted when he had such a promising career ahead of him. Such a shame.”

  “We’re not here to discuss that,” Jon cut in. Was he goading them? It seemed like a provocative thing to say.

  “I’m sorry, Detective Pilgrim. I didn’t mean to derail the interview, I just have something of a history with Nathan and his ‘theories,’” he said, raising his hands and curling his forefingers when he said that last word. “Aaah, here come the drinks.”

  Ida returned with a large tray with a pot of tea and a cafetière of coffee, surrounded by mugs, milk, sugar, and a plate of biscuits.

  She made sure everyone had what they wanted, before leaving them to their conversation.

  “Now, please, how can I help?” Russell asked.

  “We were wondering where you were on Saturday night,” Jon replied.

  “Saturday? The seventh, right?”

  Jon nodded, feeling very aware of Sydney’s gaze boring into the side of his head.

  “Well, I would have been out, but we went to a few places.”

  “How about Dance Fever in Epsom, did you go there?”

  “We ended up there I think, yes. In the VIP room.”

  “Of course,” Jon replied, knowing it was the room in the club that you could hire out and use privately.

  Russell smiled at the comment. “Only the best, my man.”

  Jon grimaced, disliking his familiarity.

  “Do you go clubbing much?” Sydney asked. Jon looked over to find her eyes fixed on him. “You should join us, sometime. You’d have a great night with us.”

  “Wonderful idea, Syd. Yes, you should,” Russell urged.

  “I’ll pass, thank you,” Jon answered, flustered by Sydney’s attention. “So, going back to the night in question, do you remember this person?”

  Jon placed a photo of Olivia on the table beside the tray and watched Russell’s face with interest. He frowned slightly as he looked at the image. “Um, no, should I? I meet a lot of people, so it does tend to all blend together.”

  Jon pulled out a cropped, zoomed-in version of Lily's selfie that focused in on Russell and Olivia. “She was with you that night, in Dance Fever, and you seem to be enjoying her company in this photo.”

  “Oh, yeah, I think I remember a blonde. Yeah. That could be her,” he added, pointing to the headshot of Olivia.

  “It is her, I can assure you.”

  “I spoke with a lot of people that night, Detective.”

  “I’m sure you did.”

  “What is this about?”

  “Olivia went missing two nights ago, and it seems that she was going to meet someone when she was taken.”

  “And you think that person was me?”

  “We’re just trying to ascertain what happened to her.”

  “I didn’t arrange to meet her.” He sounded offended. “I barely remember her and would have little desire to meet up with someone like that. How old is she? She looks really young.”

  “Sixteen,” Kate replied.

  “Then she shouldn’t have been in that club,” Russell answered.

  “No, she shouldn’t,” Kate continued. “Do you regularly hang out with sixteen-year-olds, Mr Hodges?”

  “No, but talking to them isn’t a crime, is it? And I don’t think I like where this conversation is going.”

  “We’re just trying to get to the truth,” Jon said.

  “Well, I feel like I’m being interrogated and that you’re insinuating things that are untrue.” He looked furious and actually stood up as anger boiled up behind his eyes. Jon chanced a glance over at Sydney and found her looking up at Russell with a slightly amused look on her face that she hid when Russell looked her way.

  “Please, Mr Hodges,” Jon continued. “We’re only trying to find a missing girl. That’s all we want.”

  He nodded frantically. “I know. I know. I’m sorry. It just felt like you were accusing me of something.”

  “You were one of the last people to see and interact with Olivia, before she disappeared,” Jon stated. “So it’s important we talk to you. Did you notice anything strange about her? Did she seem worried about anything? Was she scared?”

  “Honestly, I’d had a few to drink by then and my memory is a little hazy, but I don’t think so, from what I can remember.”

  “So, nothing about her concerned you?”

  “No, nothing. I think she was having a good time.”

  Jon sighed. There was little else for them here.

  “Okay, thank you, Mr Hodges, I think that’s all we have for you.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “One other thing,” Kate cut in, and then looked over at Sydney. “Were you with Russell at the club that night?”

  “No, sorry,” Sydney answered. “I was here, waiting for him to get back.”

  “And can anyone corroborate that?”

  “Only all the staff,” she replied, with a smile.

  Nodding, Kate turned back to Russell. “What about your security man, Blake, is it?”

  “He was with me all night, he never leaves my side while we’re out,” Russell replied. “It’s what I pay him for.”

  “May we speak to him?”

  “Sure,” Russell replied and called him in. Less than a minute later the man-mountain was standing by the table, looking down at the photos.

  “Yeah, sure, I remember her,” he replied. “She talked with Mr Hodges for a while, got him to buy her some drinks like they all do. They all just want his money, you know.”

  “I bet,” Jon replied, and glanced at Sydney.

  She gave him a brief smile in return.

  “So, what happened, how long was she with you?”

  “A couple of hours, then she and her friend disappeared. We didn’t see them again,” Blake replied.

  “Thank you. Did she perhaps give either of you her phone number?”

  “Half the ladies there were giving Mr Hodges their numbers,” Blake replied.

  “It’s a curse,” Russell said, having apparently regained his composure.

  “Like I said, they’re all after one thing,” Blake added.

  “So, Olivia gave you her number?”

  “Possibly,” Russell replied with a shrug. “I don’t know. I always take them, but I always get rid of them too. I don’t want to seem rude, but I have little desire to follow up on them.”

  “Of course you don’t,” Jon replied and glanced up at Blake. “Is that right?”

  He nodded. “That’s typical.”

  Jon returned the gesture and figured it would be a good idea to pull their phone records, and maybe have a look at the club’s CCTV. He’d have to get Dion onto that once they were back.

  “Okay, I think that’s all,” Jon said. “Thank you.

  “Anytime,” Russell replied.

  “I’ll see you out,” Blake said.

  “No, no,” Sydney spoke up. “No need, I’ll walk them out.”

  Blake didn’t look terribly impressed with this and glared at her for a moment. It was only a brief look, but it wasn’t the only time Jon had spotted an annoyed glance from Blake towards Sydney. He suspected there was little love lost in that relationship.

  “Whatever,” Blake replied after a beat.

  Sydney smiled and ushered them out of the room, and through a corridor that was wider than most living rooms, to the front door.

  “Thank you for coming, today, I hope you found what you wanted,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss O’Connell, and you, Jon. Please, don’t hesitate to come back if you have any other questions.”

  Kate nodded. “We will. Thank you for your help.”

  “Anytime. I’m only sorry we couldn’t be more useful. I hope you find and save this missing girl.” Sydney gave Jon a look during that last sentence.

  “Me too,” Jon agreed.

  “I’m sure you’ll find her soon. You’
re both excellent detectives, I can tell just from this meeting.”

  “Well, um… Thank you,” Kate replied, and flashed Jon a glance, before she walked to the door and headed outside.

  “See you soon,” Sydney called after them. Jon fell into step beside Kate as they made their way back towards their waiting car in the fading light of the early evening.

  Jon noticed how much of a piece of junk it seemed to be, sitting in these stunning grounds, and lamented the police’s resources.

  “She seemed to like you,” Kate stated as they reached the car.

  “Yeah, I noticed,” Jon remarked. “I wonder what that’s all about?”

  “A distraction?” Kate suggested. “She was a stunning woman. You must have noticed?”

  Jon gave Kate a look, sensing a trap in her words. “I wouldn’t like to say.”

  “Because she distracted you?”

  “Well, maybe a bit. But, it’s not like I’d do anything.”

  “Of course you wouldn’t,” she replied, giving him a smile and a knowing look. “I’m messing with you, Loxley.”

  “Yes, you are. Stop it.”

  “Aye, aye, captain. But seriously, I’d be careful of her. She’s trouble.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “She’s trouble.”

  “You can say that again,” Jon repeated again. Two can play at that game.

  “Oh, piss off.”

  “Sorry,” he replied, as they made their way back to the car and climbed in. “Want to go for a drink, tonight?”

  Kate sighed. “Probably not, sorry. I’m tired and just need to get some sleep, really.”

  “Sure, I understand. But we’re still on for Friday night?”

  “Absolutely.”

  14

  Sitting on the bed, with only a loose, old vest that hung from her shoulders and the thin, grubby sheets to protect herself from the cold in the room, Olivia felt helpless and abandoned.

  She’d been right. There was only one reason she’d been brought here, and just thinking about it made her feel ill.

  She looked over at her aching arm and the fresh needle marks where he’d pumped her full of more drugs to make her compliant. Blood had scabbed on her arm and dripped to the bed, adding yet another stain to the countless others.

  How many girls had he brought here? How many had he abused? And what had he done with them once he’d become bored? She didn’t like to think about that last one. She preferred to think that maybe one day, someone would come for her, find her, and free her from this nightmare before the worst happened.

  Now, more than ever, she wanted to go home.

  It wasn’t something she’d ever really considered over the last year, until recently. She’d always hated her parents and how they’d treated her. But now she knew different.

  Now she’d truly experienced pain, abuse, and hate. Her parents hadn’t been abusive. They’d just wanted her to go to school, get an education, and make something of her life.

  She saw the wisdom in that now, but it was too late. She should have come to that realisation a long time ago. Instead, she’d thought herself clever and grown-up for choosing her own path.

  Her parents had never hit her, never hurt her.

  Being sent to her room after a stern word seemed like a luxury now, it would be a paradise compared to what she’d been through.

  Was this Jacob’s place, she wondered?

  Had he sent his friends for her? Had they found her in that car park and brought her here to take revenge?

  God, she wished she could just go home. She wanted her mum. She wanted to see Lily and hug her close. Her friend didn’t deserve the life she’d dragged her into.

  Shame brought heat to her cheeks as she thought back to how she’d convinced Lily to come with her, to live with her and Jacob at his cool house. They could skip school and just have fun, drink, and enjoy the life Jacob offered them.

  But that offer had been a lie, a trap, baited to lure them in with the promise of money, freedom, and whatever else they wanted.

  She saw it plainly now, she saw it for what it truly was, and she hated herself for urging Lily to join her in that trap. She remembered the hateful things she’d done, how Jacob had poisoned her against her own parents, and how she’d then done the same to Lily, making her think they didn’t want her around.

  She should have brought Lily with her. She should have insisted. But she was still back there, with Jacob and Vassili.

  “Oh Lily, I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I hope you’re okay.”

  As she sobbed into the sheet, ignoring the acrid stench that came from it, she heard footsteps from somewhere in the house. They were getting closer, and louder, coming up some steps. Her heart raced as her chest tightened with fear.

  “No… Oh God no, not again.”

  15

  Nathan emptied his pockets, placing his keys, phone, and change on the tray provided.

  “You’re in late, sir,” the prison officer commented.

  “Yeah, sorry,” Nathan replied.

  “It’s no problem. We’re getting him ready for you. If you’d like to follow George there, he’ll take you through,” the officer said, pointing up the corridor.

  Nathan followed the man’s gesture and walked up to the officer who nodded to him. “Evening, Detective. This is a late visit.”

  “Can’t be helped, he could prove useful in an investigation,” Nathan replied. “Has he had any visitors?”

  “Just his wife, but no one else. He gets letters occasionally, but they’re all banal stuff. Nothing useful.”

  “I see,” Nathan replied, wondering what hidden messages there might be in these boring letters. Or was he being overly suspicious again? That was certainly possible. It was a habit that he tried to rein in whenever possible as it had a habit of alienating people.

  The walk through the prison took several minutes as they navigated through several locked security doors until he was finally shown into a room with a table, a few chairs, and little else.

  “Take a seat, he’s on his way,” George suggested.

  Nathan nodded, choosing to remain standing for now, and paced up and down the room, wondering if this next conversation would confirm his theory.

  Moments later, the door clanged open and Alan Peck walked in. With his hands cuffed, two prison officers guided him to a chair and urged him to sit.

  “Nathan,” Alan said sounding surprised, not yet taking a seat. “Well, this is a turn up for the books. I didn’t expect to see you here. So, what’s this all about? A social call? Are you writing your memoirs maybe? Hmm?”

  “Sit,” one of the officers barked at him.

  Alan sighed, and dropped into the seat, rolling his eyes. Satisfied, the officers moved away. One of them stayed in the room by the door as security, which Alan took note of.

  “It’s all fun and games in here,” Alan said. “So what can I do for you, Halliwell?”

  “I came here because I have some questions for you.”

  “Questions? How spiffing. I do love a quiz. Go ahead, and make it a good one, Nathan.”

  “I want your opinion on someone.”

  “Jesus fucking Christ, Nathan, spit it out, will you? Who? Who do you want my clearly valuable opinion on?”

  “Russell Hodges.”

  “Russell? I would have thought that would be fairly obvious. The guy is a cock.”

  “Because he testified against you, saying you killed Debby Steed?”

  “You were on the case, Halliwell, you know how that went down. I did not kill her, despite what everyone else thinks.”

  “So tell me more about him,” Nathan suggested. “Tell me about the kind of man he is.”

  Alan narrowed his eyes as he stared across the table at him. “Why? What’s going on? Is he a suspect in another case?”

  “I’m not at liberty to disclose any details, we just need to know a little more about the kind of things he gets up to.”

  Alan
continued to stare across the table, a suspicious and troubled look writ large across his face.

  “You’re aware of who you’re dealing with, right?” Alan asked.

  “He’s a wealthy man, yes.”

  “And connected. Very well connected.”

  “To who? To what?”

  “To all the right people. The man has friends in high places, and these walls have ears. Besides, what on earth do you think you’ll be able to do to him? Huh? Do you honestly think you’ll be the one to take him down? Over what?”

  “You tell me.”

  Alan sighed. “I wish I could. The man is an idiot, I make no bones of that, but as far as anything else, what would I know?”

  “I think you know more than you’re letting on.”

  “You can think what you like, it’s a free country… so I’m told.”

  “Why are you protecting him?”

  “Him? You think I’m protecting him? Hell no,” Alan replied, and then leaned forward and whispered. “I’m protecting myself. If I’m good, keep my head down, then maybe one day I’ll get out of here. I am not about to jeopardize that on the frankly paper-thin hope that you and your idiot friends will be able to take down one of the country’s richest men. He’s got lawyers up the wazoo.”

  “Sounds uncomfortable.”

  Alan shook his head.

  “I think you know more than you’re letting on, but you’re scared of him.”

  “Fuck me, Sherlock’s in the room, careful.”

  “I’m right, aren’t I?”

  “Of course I’m fucking scared of him, but if you think I’m going to tell you anything, you have another thing coming. Why would I trust you or the police after what I’ve been through? You failed me. The justice system failed me, and now my life’s in tatters. Ruined, because of you and your shitty friends. So no, I don’t trust you, and nor will I ever trust you.”

  “So you can’t tell me anything?”

  “I know these men well enough to know when you might as well give up. They’re wealthy, powerful, and will get all up in your shit if you annoy them. There’s nothing you can do against them.”

  “I think you’re wrong,” Nathan replied.

  “Well, good luck with that.”

  “So, you have nothing you can tell me? You’re going to let an innocent victim have their life ruined by the actions of these men?”