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

by K. A. Richardson

  As he entered, there was an alarm sounding somewhere on the ward, and he clocked the last few in a steady stream of nurses heading into one of the shared rooms. Good – I’ll be able to look without being challenged, if I’m quick.

  He strode purposefully down to the first female shared room – no Sally. Then the second and third, still no Sally. The private rooms along the corridor at the bottom all had individual name plaques. His heart almost stopped when he saw one called Sarah – but Sarah was not Sally. There was no Sally anywhere on this one, either.

  What the hell is going on? Where the hell is my Angel.

  He was close to blowing his top – she had to be on one of these wards!

  The nurses started filtering back out from the room and he just knew he was going to be challenged if he stayed near the nurse’s station. He put his head down and headed back up the corridor without looking at anyone on his way.

  Where the hell is she?

  It came to him quite suddenly that she would be asking to speak to the police. He had kidnapped her and held her in the school. She doesn’t trust me – not quite yet. She’ll be in panic mode, and when people are panicking after being held, they ring the police – right?

  He nodded to himself as he pushed open the ward entrance door.

  If he waited downstairs in the seating area at the main entrance, he’d see the police arrive. He could follow them inside, discreetly, of course, and see where they headed. It made perfect sense. They didn’t even know about him at the minute, so there was no way they’d know he was the person who had taken her. Hell, she didn’t even know who he was! The best they’d get would be a description of the place he’d held her, which could be any number of places! The whole of the north east was littered with abandoned buildings like the school.

  He suddenly felt surer of himself than he had in ages. There was no way they could find out who he was. He’d taken care to cover his tracks without even realising it.

  More content now, he paid for a coffee at the machine near the entrance to the hospital and sat on one of the uncomfortable couches to wait.

  * * *

  18th December, 1110 hours – Sunderland Royal Hospital

  Ali was annoyed – where did Alex get off asking him to go to the hospital and speak with some crazy woman demanding to speak to Sergeant Donaghue – okay, so the guy was pretty much stuck to the toilet after getting food poisoning from a takeaway the day before, but Alex could have sent anyone. Why did it have to be me? I was only back at the nick to grab my radio. Donaghue would have been doing this himself, if he hadn’t been stupid enough to have dirty bait. From the rat trap in Hendon, of all places.

  Ali had only lived in Sunderland a couple of years and even he knew better than to go to that place.

  He parked the unmarked Ford Focus in the fifteen-minute wait zone of the hospital and checked the note on the inside of his phone case showing the ward number and name he was looking for.

  He was still scowling as he strode through the entrance and towards the lifts at the end of the corridor. I’m gunna tear Alex a new one when I see him – never mind that ‘I’m your DCI’ crap. You’re my bloody brother.

  Ali pressed the button on the wall and leaned back, waiting for the automated announcement that his lift had arrived. Almost without realising it, he glanced around at the other people waiting.

  A little girl in a pushchair stuck her tongue out at him, then smiled widely. Marlo had mentioned that morning that she kinda wanted a baby. What did that mean? Kinda? She either did, or she didn’t. He knew a deep and meaningful would be in their future. A lift went ding, and he looked up, checking the direction. The red triangle above the lift doors indicated it was going down – and he moved his gaze further along, settling on each person in turn.

  The young lad with his goth-style haircut and clothing looked nervous, the tops of his legs grinding together as he winced. GUM clinic. He stopped the smile before it reached his lips. His mother had always taught him it was rude to stare. The next person was a woman being pushed in a wheelchair by a man who looked really anxious. The woman’s large protruding stomach told him she was heavily pregnant, and she winced as her stomach rippled. Maternity – though, you’re not a genius, fathead. That one was obvious.

  A middle-aged man, white, a few days of growth on his chin. Relative visiting someone.

  Another man, older, a determined look on his face as he avoided eye contact with anyone, including Ali. That set his spidey-senses off – he just looked shifty, and Ali was a big believer in gut feelings. The man, feeling he was being scrutinised, huffed loudly and left the lift area, walking round the corner to the central coffee shop. Wonder what his problem is?

  Another ding indicated the next lift’s arrival. Going up this time.

  Ali followed the throng of people and leaned on the metal bar around the wall. In no time at all, he was on the third floor, and the lift doors were opening. He was the only one disembarking on that floor, and everyone breathed in to make room as he got out.

  I hate hospitals. Alex better have a good reason for sending me here.

  The nurse at the desk flashed him a quick smile, then motioned towards one of the private rooms in the corner of the corridor.

  He knocked, then entered, the woman on the bed turning to look at him. He could see the exact moment her eyes realised he wasn’t Donaghue, and virtual shutters came down. And his gut instinct screamed at him loudly. Something major had happened to her.

  ‘I’m DI Alistair McKay – I’ve been asked to come and have a chat with you. I know you’d asked for Sergeant Donaghue. I’m really sorry, but he’s poorly and off work. I don’t bite, though. If it’s okay with you, I’ll just sit down, and when you feel comfortable enough, you can talk to me?’

  Sally stared at him with wary eyes.

  ‘I’ve dealt with Sergeant Donaghue for a long time. Why should I trust you?’

  ‘There’s no reason I can think of, other than that I’m here. And something’s obviously wrong.’

  Doubt replaced the wariness as she stared at him, looking him up and down, deciding whether to speak or not.

  Now, he was the one feeling doubt. Why would she speak to him? Whatever bond she felt with the sergeant obviously wasn’t present with him.

  ‘Do you mind me asking what Sergeant Donaghue has been dealing with for you? If I know about it, perhaps I can help.’

  Her voice was quiet as she replied, ‘My son.’ She paused for a minute, then continued. ‘He’s been helping me deal with Interpol – my son, Danial, was taken from me to Egypt by his father almost two years ago against the court’s rulings. Sergeant Donaghue has seen me every week since then. Last week, he said Interpol had a substantial lead. That’s what he called it – substantial. He was going to update me today whether they’d managed to get my son, whether he was coming home. Is he? Do you know?’

  Ali shook his head, not wanting to see the look of despair on her face. ‘I don’t, at the minute, but now I know what you were seeing him about, I’ll look into it and find out for you. Is that the only reason you wanted to see Sergeant Donaghue today?’ He sensed there was something else, something sinister that would allow for the dread settling in the pit of his stomach.

  Sally took a shuddering breath in and closed her eyes, taking another deep breath.

  ‘I’m homeless, DI McKay. I used all my money trying to get Danial back. Every penny. And, being homeless, you see things that other people don’t see. Go through things people who live a normal life know nothing about. I had one friend on the streets. Cheryl Whiffen – she was a little unhinged, but she was always nice to me. She went missing over a week ago. I couldn’t find her anywhere, and I looked, believe me. Last week, I went to the park we always sat in. Not to drink or anything – neither of us do that. But we go, and we sit. That’s it. She wasn’t there.’

  Ali sat back in the chair, listening and allowing her to continue.

  ‘A man came and sat on the bench bes
ide me. I didn’t know him. The next thing I remember is waking up in a horrible, dark and smelly room. It was… awful. I… erm don’t know if I can say any more. It’s too much. I just…’

  ‘You’re doing really well, Sally, just take some nice deep breaths and tell me what happened. You’re just talking to me.’

  Ali leaned forward now, concentrating on the woman in front of him. All of his anger towards Alex faded, and he felt his jaw drop as she continued.

  * * *

  18th December, 1120 hours – Rainbow Riding Stables

  Matthew had walked to the stables in the end. He couldn’t stand just sitting on the swing and he couldn’t speak to the detective. He was too scared. But maybe he could talk to TJ. And if not, at least he could be with the horses. He always felt calmer at the stables.

  He paused on the track that led to the stables from the house. There seemed to be a lot of people down there, and he could hear a dog barking. TJ didn’t have any dogs.

  Come on – don’t be a wuss all your life. Go down there and see what’s going on.

  ‘But what if he’s there?’

  What does it matter if he is? He didn’t see you.

  ‘You don’t think…’

  Matthew drew in a deep breath, trying to stave off the panicky feeling he felt. Movement on the track caught his attention and a german shepherd appeared in front of him, sniffing at his feet. It barked once, and its owner appeared on the track.

  Matthew’s breath caught in his throat as he realised it was a police officer – the blue overalls with police insignia giving it away. He swallowed sharply. What the fuck?

  ‘Can I help you? Don’t think you should be here, kid?’

  ‘I help TJ with the horses. I was just seeing if she needed me today.’ His response was quick and didn’t sound too shaky to his own ears.

  ‘She’s down at the stable seeing to the horse with the baby horse.’

  ‘Foal. The mama horse is a mare. The baby is a foal.’

  What the hell are you doing correcting a cop? Does it even matter what he calls Lightning?

  The cop looked surprised – just for a moment, then a wide smile broke across his well-weathered face. ‘So it is. Adler, heel.’ The shepherd sped back to the cop from wherever it had moved off to and sat at his feet, looking up expectantly. The cop handed him a tennis ball, and the dog grabbed it and sped off up the track.

  ‘It’s her reward. She’s done a good job today.’

  ‘What job?’ Matthew was curious – TJ wasn’t into drugs. That’s what cop dogs were used for, weren’t they?

  The cop looked solemn. ‘Can’t say, to be honest. Could’ve been pretty gruesome though. Dogs have sensitive noses. Adler is a cadaver dog. She can smell and hunt out dead bodies.’

  Matthew felt the blood drain from his face, and his voice came out several octaves higher. ‘Did she find one? A dead body?’

  The cop looked solemn. ‘Nope, just horses and horse shit. Maybe a dead pig or two. Nothing to worry about.’

  ‘Dead pig?’ Matthew’s heart was in his mouth – no way the hand he had seen belonged to a dead pig.

  ‘We use dead pigs to train the dog to search for bodies – the decomposition smells similar to the dog – no dead pigs today, don’t worry. I was speaking figuratively. I need to get back up to the van now – TJ’s down there speaking with Jackson, one of our CSIs. Just as a precaution, before you ask anything else.’

  The cop started whistling Fairy Tale of New York and walked off, leaving Matthew sitting on a rock staring after him in almost disbelief.

  No body? But I saw it. I know I did.

  No one’s doubting it – Barry must’ve taken it with him. But why bury it there if you were going to come back for it?

  So, it wasn’t found, dummy.

  He jumped to his feet and ran down the track to the stable block.

  * * *

  18th December, 1125 hours – Sunderland Royal Hospital

  Barry was officially panicking. He’d clocked the man in the suit looking all formal and cop-like as he entered the hospital and had followed him to the lifts. Then, he’d sensed more than seen the same man staring at him. Hiding the scratches on his face and not wanting any confrontation, Barry had moved around the corner to the shop where he’d leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.

  How the hell was he supposed to follow the cop when he’d been seen?

  He’d heard the lift ding its arrival from where he’d stood and waited for a second before running round the corner and shoving the door to the stairwell open.

  Running hurt his ribs – a lot – but he needed to know where his Angel was. It would be worth every jolt of pain if he could get her back to the school. She’d understand why he had to have her back. He’d show her if he had to.

  She was the one.

  He knew the lift would stop on either the third or fourth floor – it was the only option based on what he knew her injuries to be.

  Flying up the stairs as though the very hounds of hell were on his tail, he slowed to a stop when he reached level three. Instead of wrenching the door open and making it obvious, he heard the lift announce its doors were closing and gazed through the glass pane in the door.

  The cop walked right past the door, and the split second he saw him, Barry ducked down so he wouldn’t be seen. The seconds he waited, crouched by the door, stretched into what felt like an eternity, but once he was sure the cop had gone past, he pushed the door open and stepped through into the corridor.

  A quick glance down both corridors of the two wards at either side showed the cop had gone into ward thirty-two.

  I checked that one. Twice!

  Barry waited until the cop had reached the bottom of the corridor and turned left. He knew from memory there were two rooms in the corner he had gone into. One had a man in – Albert something. The other had a woman in – it couldn’t be, could it? It hadn’t been ‘Sally’ written on the board, though. Another name beginning with S, but not Sally.

  So, she has a different first name – maybe Sally is like a nickname or something. Either way, that’s where he’s gone. Which means you missed a trick! Idiot. She’s going to blab now – she’ll tell him everything.

  Barry smiled a slow satisfied smile. He knew her version of everything was nothing. She didn’t know where she’d been, or who he was. At best, she could give a vague description of him – and he knew as well as anyone else who saw him, he was pretty average looking.

  Now he knew where she was, he’d be able to relax a little. Until he could get in that room and take her back to the school, anyway. He backed away and sat on one of the chairs outside the lifts. It was time to formulate a plan.

  * * *

  18th December, 1130 hours – Rainbow Riding Stables

  TJ was in the stall with Domino and Lightning, giving them both a brush down. Matthew’s head popping over the stable door made her jump.

  ‘Didn’t you get the message, Matthew? I left one with your aunt saying I didn’t need any of the volunteers until after Christmas.’

  ‘Yeah, I did, I mean, I just… I’m having a bad day and being with the horses makes me feel better. I won’t get in the way. I just wanted to see them for a while.’

  TJ nodded, understanding. She felt the same way about the horses. ‘Come on in, then. Lightning needs some people interaction so she can learn to trust. Will you brush her down while I do Domino?’

  Matthew nodded and took the brush silently, turning away from TJ and engrossing himself in the task.

  ‘Everything okay?’ TJ could see he looked upset about something. Whether he’d open up to her was another thing entirely. It still felt a little weird to her having him there, but even a blind man could see how much the horses helped him with his problems. However uncomfortable she felt, and for no reason other than his father’s actions, he was the complete opposite. He was at ease with the horses, staying calm if they had a ‘freak out’ moment. It obviously helped him deal with whatever
problems he had.

  ‘I saw the cadaver dog.’

  He spoke quietly, and TJ only just caught what he said. His shoulders had tensed up as he spoke. He was upset.

  ‘The brief version is that the police had a report in that someone had seen a dead body on the land behind the stables. The cadaver dog checked, and there is no body. The cop thinks he reacted to the smell of a dead animal somewhere in that area. It’s nothing to worry about.’

  Matthew bit his lip to stop himself responding. It was something to worry about. The dead body had been there. The dog was right. He wanted to shout all of that from the top of his lungs, but he didn’t. He used long smooth strokes with the rubber hand brush along the full length of Lightning’s back instead.

  His eyes filled with tears, and he was glad he was facing the other way. He wasn’t lying. He had seen the hand. He’d seen Barry. Why is no one listening?

  Because you’re not telling them. Speak up!

  Matthew opened his mouth, intending to say what he knew, but he literally got the breath he’d been holding out when Jackson had popped his head over the stable door, making them all jump.

  ‘All done, TJ. I’m going to walk Kev back up to the house. Shall I meet you up there?’

  ‘Yeah, sure, I’ll be up in a few minutes. Me and Matthew are going to sort the feeds out for tonight and turn out a few of the horses. We won’t be long.’

  21

  18th December, 1240 hours – Sunderland City Police Station

  On his return to the station, Ali had found Alex coming out of the superintendent’s office and collared him in the corridor.

  ‘She’s been what?’ Alex’s voice didn’t hide the shock as he spoke with Ali.

  ‘Held in some dark building for days and made to do weird-arse tasks. She’s terrified. But also, crazy brave. How many people do you know would run through a wood in their bare feet and ignore being injured completely?’