Under The Woods: a heart-stopping police thriller (The Forensic Files Book 4)

by K. A. Richardson

  * * *

  16th December, 1635 hours – Sunderland Royal Hospital

  Jackson hovered outside of the ward entrance, debating whether to go in or whether to just leave – he wanted to see TJ, to know she was okay. He’d barely managed to avoid running out of the office when Ben had told him earlier she was in there. But he’d curbed his emotion and finished his shift. It had been a slow day, anyway – between him and Deena, they’d got up to date on all the property and vehicle jobs that had been mounting up. It had been almost four o’clock when he’d finally asked if he could take a flyer.

  But should he go in? He’d been texting TJ since seeing her the day before for the afternoon tea, and they were getting on great. There was the risk, though, that he’d mess it all up. Lord knew he’d messed up every single one of his previous relationships.

  This felt different, though. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt drawn to TJ. They seemed to have been thrown together a few times now and it felt… right. But he’d always acted like a tit with the women he’d been with. She deserved better than he could offer.

  What can I offer, anyway? A CSI who doesn’t want to be a CSM; a rented flat and a motorbike that’s seen better days. Not to mention my rep, which, let’s face it, isn’t the best.

  ‘Surely, though, that should be her decision. I don’t want to be that person anymore. I never wanted to be that person in the first place. Maybe if she gives me a chance, I can prove it.’ He muttered the words under his breath, arguing with himself in the middle of the hospital corridor.

  ‘If she gives you a chance, then you’d better not mess it up.’ Jacob’s voice cut through Jackson’s self-conversation, and he glanced up to see Jacob beside him. His face was filled with thunder, like he already believed Jackson would mess it up. ‘That’s presuming, of course, you’re arguing with yourself over my sister.’

  Jackson nodded slowly. ‘I like her. I want to be a better person – I know my history isn’t the best. I made the decision months ago that I wouldn’t be like that anymore. And I haven’t. But you’re right – I’m not good enough for her. I’ll just go – the last thing I want to do is hurt her.’

  ‘TJ told me earlier that she’s a grown woman and can make her own decisions. I trust her implicitly. If she thinks you’re worth it, then go see her – you’ll have the chance she thinks you deserve. But I’m telling you now, Jackson, you hurt her, and you deal with me. Understand?’

  Jackson nodded. He respected Jacob, knew he meant what he said. ‘Thank you.’ Jackson took a deep breath, pushed through the ward door and made his way down the corridor, checking the wall plaques for the patient names.

  TJ’s name was on the wall outside the last room. Jackson took another breath – pushing the demons of doubt from his mind and peeked round the corner. TJ was sitting up in bed, looking far brighter than he would in her position. He hated hospitals. Everyone hated hospitals, he knew – there wasn’t really anything to like. He’d been lucky enough never to need to be admitted – odd things had taken him to A&E but never onto a ward.

  When she turned and smiled at him, he knew he’d made the right decision. She looked… happy to see him. That had to be a good thing, right?

  ‘Pooky – what are you doing here? You came to see me at work?’ Nicki’s grating voice came from beside him – he turned to see her dressed in an auxiliary uniform. ‘How did you even know I was starting this ward today? I didn’t know until ten minutes ago.’

  ‘Nicki – I’m not here for you. I didn’t even know you worked in a hospital.’

  ‘Well, if you’re not here for me, what are you here for?’

  ‘It’s got fuck-all to do with you, Nicki. You’re not supposed to be anywhere near me – I know you were given a warning to stay away.’

  ‘Well, technically, you’re near me, not the other way around. I presumed you wanted to work things out. That’s what couples do.’

  Jackson sighed. ‘For the last time Nicki, we are not, and never were, a couple. Just piss off. I don’t need this today. Hell, I don’t need this any day!’ He turned and went to walk into the ward, and then remembered she’d see what he was doing.

  It was too late, though – he turned round to see her glaring past him at TJ in the bed.

  ‘What the hell is she doing here?’ Nicki’s face turned red with anger, and she went to push past him to confront TJ.

  ‘Nicki – for the last time, go away. If I need to speak to your supervisor, I will, but stay the hell away from me.’

  Nicki turned on her heels and stomped out of the room.

  ‘I’m so sorry – I had no idea she worked here,’ his voice softened with his apology as he got to TJ’s side.

  ‘You have nothing to be sorry for. She’s nuts, Jax, absolutely crazy. How did she end up working in a hospital? Do they not do checks?’

  ‘I’m not sure, to be honest – I think they do. They must do, surely?’

  ‘I’m glad I’m getting discharged – last thing I need is to sleep in here knowing she’s there. She could’ve come at me with a scalpel or injected me with an air bubble or anything.’ She held a wry grin as she said the words, softening their implication.

  Jackson couldn’t help but grin at her candour. ‘Discharged? Oh, thank God. When?’

  ‘In a couple of hours,’ said TJ. ‘I think I might remind the ward sister about the Data Protection Act, though. Really don’t want Nicki to know whatever information they have on file.’

  ‘Can I wait around and take you home? Or is Jacob picking you up? Don’t want to step on his toes or anything.’

  ‘I’ll message him. If you’re sure you don’t mind? I’ll buzz for the sister now, though.’

  * * *

  16th December, 1900 hours – Rainbow Riding Stables

  TJ stared out of the window, not seeing much at that time of night – the winter nights drew in early. It was a comfortable silence now, though. They’d talked as they’d driven through Sunderland and onto the A690 across to the turning that led towards her home. The sparkling lights in the city centre reminded her how much she loved Christmas. She was already sorted present-wise – they were wrapped and ready to go under the tree when she finally got two minutes to put it up.

  Jackson was sitting beside her, humming along to Charlie Puth on the radio. He seemed relaxed. TJ knew seeing Nicki at the hospital had unnerved him – she’d hate to be in the situation where someone latched on and stalked her the way Nicki did him.

  He slowed and indicated onto the driveway that led to the stables. TJ knew she should have been stressed, or at the very least upset over spending the day in hospital. Ever since she’d rushed to Jacob’s side after he had got back from Afghanistan, she’d detested hospitals. Even the smell set her on edge. Then, after her attack, and waking up to that smell, the hatred of them had intensified. But today, with Jackson there, it hadn’t seemed quite so bad. That alone gave her more than enough food for thought.

  She’d not long since met him – it was less than a few weeks, for sure. She shouldn’t be so comfortable with him. Should she?

  Jackson slamming on the brakes suddenly, pulling her attention back to the here and now. She glanced up, not understanding why he’d braked so sharply, then realised that Mr Brown was standing on the driveway with his hands on his hips glaring through the windscreen.

  ‘I’ll deal with this,’ she said, pushing open the door and unlatching her seatbelt.

  ‘Oh, it’s you,’ he grumbled, not stepping aside.

  ‘Yes, it is. We need to get past.’

  ‘Have you seen my son? He’s not been home for days.’

  TJ took a moment to look at the farmer. Because he was usually so angry and always shouting, it took her a second to register that he looked different. He looked… broken. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, his eyes had dark bags under them, and his clothing was dishevelled. Mr Brown might be a bastard, but whatever his faults, he loved his sons – not having the younger lad there with him
was clearly breaking his heart.

  ‘I haven’t seen him, Neil. I’m sorry. Have you rung the police? It’s not like Alan to run off without telling you. Does Daryl know where he is?’ TJ couldn’t remember the last time she’d called him and his two sons by their first names, but she felt sorry for him.

  ‘Daryl ain’t seen him, either. He’d tell me if he had. Alan ran off a couple of times when he was a kid but hasn’t done for years. He’s always back to help me on a morning. I don’t know what to do.’ Mr Brown’s voice broke, and tears filled his eyes.

  ‘Come up to the house with me and Jackson – we’ll call the police. They’ll be able to help, I’m sure.’

  Mr Brown nodded and stepped aside. ‘Go on up, I’ll follow.’ He swiped at the tear that escaped his eye. ‘It’s cold out tonight, making my eyes water.’

  TJ smiled – probably for the first time at Mr Brown. ‘Yeah, the temperature really has dropped this week. See you in a minute.’

  * * *

  16th December, 2045 hours – abandoned school near Durham

  He’d spent time cleaning up the broken shards of metal and glass he’d strategically placed on the floor around the furnace room. She was secure in the side room – she couldn’t get out. He knew because he controlled the lock mechanism to the doors from his office. Bypassing the electrics had been easy when he’d first found the school – he’d learned a canny bit during his time in the armed forces.

  Only when he was certain there was nothing left she could use as a weapon, did he grab the items from the corridor to leave on the table for her. How she’d managed to navigate around the room only cutting herself once was beyond him. It was like she’d become a machine, only doing exactly as he said and sensing if something was going to hurt her. He left her bloody footprints where they were on the floor. It pleased him both that she had been hurt and that she’d carried on regardless. She’d listened – she trusted him. It felt good being given that trust.

  He arranged the items on the table and left the room, manually locking the door, before retreating to his office. From there, he lit the furnace and turned it to low – the temperature was due to hit minus four tonight – the last thing he wanted was for her to get ill and leave him now. Not when she was so close to being his number one.

  Having the furnace on served two purposes – it would keep her warm and would shed a dull glow in the room. He needed to see she would take care of herself with what he had left for her.

  Eventually, he reached for the microphone and spoke through the speaker system.

  ‘When I open the door, go through and clean your foot. Then, eat your dinner. You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.’

  He clicked the button to unlock the store room door and sat back to watch her.

  * * *

  16th December, 2145 hours – abandoned school near Durham

  Sally was huddled in ball when he spoke, trying to stop her body shaking through the wall itself. Even living on the streets for as long as she had, she didn’t think she’d ever been so cold. If she stopped holding herself so tightly even for a second, her teeth started crashing off each other with the vicious judders that rocked through her. What she wouldn’t give right now for a shared dormitory room at the Salvation Army centre.

  Every joint screamed as she stood – she’d been huddled tightly for far too long. Even her brain felt heavy – she hated that aftermath of crying.

  She momentarily forgot the pain in her foot and put it down as though it was a normal tread. The pain was like standing on a sword and spread up her leg rapidly. She would have put her boots back on, but when she’d thought to feel around for them, they weren’t there.

  Sally stumbled through the door, trying to steady herself as she saw the table looming. Her balance was completely off, though, and she pitched forward, her cheek connecting with the table corner before she hit the deck. It did stop the pain in her foot – but was now focussed solely in her face. Gingerly, she touched her cheek and her fingers came away wet and sticky. Even with the dull glow of the furnace, she knew she’d broken skin. Blood trickled down her neck as she moved into a sitting position and tried not to cry.

  How did I end up here, anyway? This isn’t fair. I need to get to my son!

  The thought of Danial was enough to toughen her up. Her mind was right – she had to get out so she could get her son back. The one shining light in her life. Whatever came after he was home, she’d deal with, but right now, she had to get the hell out of there so she at least had the chance to get him.

  ‘There’s bandages and antiseptic on the table. Clean your foot and your face. When the nausea eases, eat the meal on the table. There’s a cup of warm coffee, too. You’ll sleep in there tonight. I’ll leave the furnace on low, and there’s a blanket under the table. I’ll be back tomorrow. And you need to be ready. Tomorrow will be the hardest day yet.’

  His voice was anything but sympathetic, but he’d at least acknowledged she’d hurt herself. Sally didn’t quite know what to make of that. She steadied her shaking hands and swallowed the wave of nausea that spread over her as she reached for the cotton wool on the table. The light was too dim for her to see whether the tube was Germoline or Savlon. Not that it mattered, anyway. Her whole face felt as though it was on fire. As long as the salve took some of the pain away, then it was fine. She dabbed the cotton wool onto her cheek gently and gasped as pain shot down her neck. She’d have to wait to touch it. It was far too raw right now. Not for the first time, she wondered if she’d cracked her cheekbone or something.

  Tears filled her eyes as she sat and methodically cleaned her foot.

  No one could survive this kind of torture, surely? I’m going to die. All alone in this crappy room. And no one will even care. My Danial will never get to know me. He’ll be stuck with that bastard of a man poisoning his brain for eternity.

  She hiccupped as the tears spilled over onto her cheeks and, just for now, couldn’t stop the violent, wrenching sobs that caused her body to shake as her despair broke free.

  15

  16th December, 2345 hours – Rainbow Riding Stables

  He stood in the tree line staring at the house. The lights were on – TJ plainly still awake. He’d been concerned when he’d seen her on the ground earlier – her dying wasn’t part of his master plan – but he supposed that if it happened, it would make certain things much easier.

  He’d been standing still for a while now, and the pain in his chest was now a constant, dull throb that stopped him moving and took his breath away if he did. His gaze darkened – stupid horse protecting her stupid foal. He had too much to do to be laid up.

  The chipping machine had arrived right on schedule, TJ not blinking an eye, plainly believing it to be a necessary expense. How would he get it done now, though? He still wanted to – it was a great way to dispose of the bodies he knew were still hiding in plain sight at the back of the stables. Do I have the strength to lift them, though, with my chest the way it is? And even if I can, will I be able to clean up and transport the remains to the pig farm? Doubtful, he knew.

  Deciding to test whether he could cope with the pain, he bent at his waist and tried to touch his toes. The pain in his chest was like he’d been stabbed, and his breath caught in his throat. Bright white stars danced in front of his eyes, and he leaned into the tree he was standing beside, stabilising his balance and slowly drawing breath into his lungs.

  Not a bloody chance.

  He could barely move from side to side, let alone hefting weights in excess of ten stones.

  He stood for a moment longer, then decided to go and discuss what he should do with his Angels. They’d be able to help him, he was sure.

  The walk to the clearing didn’t take long, and gingerly, he knelt in front of his current number one. He wiped the leaves from her face exposing her grey flesh, the black gaping holes where her eyes once sat, and the jagged opening of her mouth. The critters in the wood had been feasting again – her lips all bu
t obliterated. Angels changed, they always did, but she was as beautiful to him now as she had been when he’d laid her there.

  His thoughts were wistful as he ran his calloused hand down her cheek, her skin icy cold beneath his fingers.

  He shifted position and laid on top of her, his mouth millimetres from hers. He felt his cock harden beneath him, and the texture of the ground beneath made him groan softly. With his erection pressing against the cold earth covering her body, he whispered to her. ‘My new Angel might even surpass your beauty. I’m not fully certain, but she’s a fighter. Definitely worthy of a place in this haven. Soon, she’ll join you here, and you’ll all be mine forever.’

  Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to the gap where her lips had been and kissed her long and hard.

  It had been a long time since he felt as alive as he did in this moment. It pleased him.

  * * *

  17th December, 0620 hours – Rainbow Riding Stables

  Jackson woke to the sound of silence. No traffic from the road outside his flat, no banging on the floorboards from the upstairs neighbours. Just pure silence.

  It was unnerving, and for a moment, he wondered where he was. Then, he remembered he was at the stables and not at home in Darlington. It had been late by the time the cops had left after speaking to Neil Brown. Jackson hadn’t felt comfortable leaving TJ alone in his company – he still had not-so-fond memories of the farmer accusing him of hitting his fence post and losing his temper.

  Nothing had happened, though. Eventually, Neil had gone back home, leaving him and TJ alone. They’d stayed up until the early hours just talking. Jackson couldn’t remember the last time he’d had that level of comfort with a woman. Where there’s no expectations and he could just be himself with her. He’d almost forgotten what it was like – being honest and open and just being him. Not someone the woman thought he should be – or someone he thought she wanted. He and TJ had put the world to rights – talking about everything and nothing.