Retriever of Souls

by Lorraine Mace

  “I want you two to go down to the district and chat to the girls from both sides of the street, Azzopardi’s as well as the Albanians. See if anyone is missing apart from the girl that Sandra Massey was going to tell us about. In fact, if she’s the only one who is AWOL, find out what you can about her. We didn’t even get the poor kid’s name before Ms Massey did a bunk.”

  Paolo waited until they’d gone and then phoned Lydia. “Hi, just checking it’s still okay for me to come over tomorrow. I thought I’d take Katy to the movies if there’s something she fancies watching.”

  “Hi, Paolo, of course it’s still okay. I don’t know what you’ve done to our daughter, but I haven’t seen her in such a good mood for... well, for a long time.”

  Paolo heard the hesitation in her voice and knew why she struggled to continue. Katy hadn’t been the same since Sarah’s death. None of them had, but maybe they were finally moving on.

  “You still there, Paolo?”

  “Yes, sorry, my mind wandered a bit. I’ll be over at midday. Katy and I can go and have one of those horrible meals she seems to think contain real food before we go in to watch the film. There’s a whole range of fast food places at the cinema complex. Is that okay with you?”

  “Of course, I’ll tell Katy. Paolo, I’ve, er, I’ve got something to discuss with you, but I don’t want to talk about it on the phone. It’s something I think we should talk over face to face. When you drop Katy off tomorrow evening, would you have time to come in for a drink?”

  Hope surged and his heart almost burst. Surely the only thing she would want to discuss with him was suggesting they try again. Although, it could be something to do with Katy, a dark voice in his brain reminded him. But she could do that at any time, he thought, forcing the negative tone to disappear. He’d always believed deep inside that they would get back together again one day. Divorce didn’t have to be final, did it? Not for two people who were meant to be together. But he mustn’t rush things, especially if she’d only just started thinking of him in that way again. Softly does it. Sound like it’s no big deal, he thought, even though your mind is running berserk.

  “Yeah, sure, no problem. I can drop in for a chat and a drink. See you tomorrow.”

  He closed his phone and felt a smile spreading across his face. Should he take flowers? No, don’t push it. Let the first move come from Lydia. Trying to control his grin, he stood up and headed towards the door. Then he remembered where he had to go next and all desire to smile disappeared.

  Looking at dead bodies was nothing to smile about.

  Paolo followed Barbara into her office. She’d indicated that she had something more to say than just outlining her findings. From the look on her face, it was something fairly serious.

  She settled herself behind the desk and sighed.

  “Would you like some coffee?”

  Paolo sat down opposite her. “No thanks. You have something to add to what we know so far?”

  She sighed again. “No, not really, but... yes, maybe. I don’t know to be honest. I’ve given approximate time of death as Saturday evening. I know for a fact that Larry was out last Saturday until late. Sharon was with me and she only left the pub once Larry was safely out of the way. I can’t tell you why,” she said as Paolo sat forward. “Sorry, what passed between me and Sharon is private, but, well, Larry could be... might be. Oh fuck it, I don’t know.”

  Paolo laughed. “Barbara! I didn’t think you even knew that word. I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you say anything worse than damn.”

  “It isn’t funny.”

  “No, I know it isn’t. It just sounded funny coming from you. Look, I don’t think Larry is our killer, but I’d had him under surveillance since you raised concerns about him earlier this week. If he puts a foot wrong, we’ll be there to see him doing it. I’ve already spoken to uniform this morning. Larry didn’t leave the pub last night, so it doesn’t look like he dumped the body. Besides, you said this one had been kept somewhere for nearly a week. As far as we’ve been able to check, Larry doesn’t own or rent anywhere that doesn’t have neighbours or workers nearby. The bodies are being kept where no one raises the alarm when the smell of rotting flesh starts to leak out.”

  “I know you’ve got someone watching Larry whenever he leaves the pub, but no one is watching what he does to Sharon inside the place.”

  “Barbara, you know as well as I do that there is nothing we can do for Sharon until she asks for help.”

  “No, I know. God, that man gives me the creeps. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to find out the pub has a secret underground cellar where he can keep the bodies to screw until they no longer turn him on. It’s possible, isn’t it? I mean no one realised what Fred and Rose West got up to under their house for years.”

  When Paolo returned to the main office Dave was sitting at his desk, but his mind was clearly anywhere but on his work. He hardly registered Paolo’s entrance until Paolo was right next to him. Then he looked up, shook his head as if to get rid of some unwelcome thoughts, and smiled, but Paolo could see it was an effort.

  “You okay, Dave?”

  “Sure am. CC called, sir. She’s had a bit of a breakthrough. The missing girl’s name is Mandy Ward. One of the other girls claims she saw Mandy getting into a dark and expensive looking car. Apparently the girl’s English isn’t all that good, but she says Mandy went off with a star from television.”

  He looked down at the notes on his desk. “CC said the girl’s exact words were, ‘He famous. Like star.’ So that makes our job nice and easy. All we have to do is find a television star with a fetish for screwing the dead, who drives a dark car and may or may not have connections to Liverpool. Simple, let’s nab the first actor who covers all of those aspects and the case is solved.”

  “Very funny, Dave. Have uniform come back yet with anything from the estate near the landfill site?”

  Dave consulted his notes again. “Nothing at all useful. A couple of residents woke in the early hours; both reported hearing a car heading in that direction and returning about twenty minutes later, but curiosity didn’t make either of them leap out of bed and rush to the window, unfortunately. So they didn’t see the car or the presumably famous driver. Wouldn’t it be great if it was someone off one of those old shows like The Bill?”

  Now Paolo was really concerned. Dave was going out of his way to come across as chirpy and without a care in the world.

  “Come through to my office for a moment, please, Dave.”

  As Dave closed the door behind him, Paolo gestured for him to sit down, all the time wondering how to phrase his questions. He decided to jump straight in and hope for the best.

  “Dave, we didn’t get off to the best of starts, but I think we can put that behind us. You’re a good copper. If there’s anything troubling you, anything at all that I can help with, please, just tell me.”

  Dave looked uncomfortable. “Like what? I didn’t mean what I said out there. I just thought you’d appreciate the joke – you know, on television they get a couple of clues that mean fuck all and by the end of the episode they know who did it and why, where they live and everything else needed to draw a line under the case before the credits come up on screen.”

  “I wasn’t referring to what you said out there. It’s... I don’t know, it’s just that you seem to have the weight of the world on your shoulders recently. As I said just now, if I can help in any way...”

  Dave’s face, which had been alight with laughter, darkened as Paolo’s words registered. “There’s nothing,” he snapped. “Nothing that you and everyone else in this place staying out of my personal life wouldn’t cure.”

  He stood up so fast the chair nearly toppled backwards.

  “Is that all you wanted, sir? Only I’ve got a job to do and I seem to recall you telling me to keep my private life private. So that’s what I’d like to do, if you don’t mind, sir.”

  The emphasis on the word made Paolo wince. Dave walked to
the door, yanked it open and made a dignified exit, back ramrod stiff, his entire body radiating anger.

  I really handled that well, Paolo thought. Just call me Mr Sensitive.

  Paolo recognised the ringtone on Dave’s phone as he disappeared towards his own desk. Within a couple of minutes Dave was back in Paolo’s office with a look of complete incredulity on his face.

  “I’ve just had a call from Sandra Massey, sir. I couldn’t get her to stay on the line long enough for a trace, but I think she’s most probably using a pay as you go phone anyway. She said she won’t come back, so not to bother trying to track her down.”

  Paolo waited. There had to be more to come. No way would Dave have come rushing back just to tell him Sandra Massey had relocated.

  “You’ll never believe who she said picked up her friend Mandy Ward that night.”

  “By the look on your face it has to be someone I’d never suspect, so go on, confound me.”

  Dave grinned and sat down, looking relaxed, which was completely at odds with the way he’d looked as he’d stormed out only seconds earlier.

  “Oh, I think I’m going to confound you all right, sir. Whether or not we take her seriously... well, that’s up to you. She swore to me that she definitely recognised him,” he said with a laugh in his voice.

  “Are you going to share the secret with me, or take it with you to your grave?” Paolo asked.

  Dave’s grin grew even wider. “Oh, I’ll share my knowledge, sir. Ms Massey says she saw her friend getting into the car of no less a personage than... Matthew Roberts.”

  Paolo heard the name and felt like joining in with Dave’s laughter, but the desire to laugh didn’t last long. Whether Sandra Massey was telling the truth or just yanking their chain, he would have to follow up on it. The thought of interviewing Matthew Roberts and asking the solicitor a load of questions that was bound to get him yelled at by the chief was no laughing matter.

  “Bugger it, Dave. What on earth made her pick on him? I mean, can you imagine him cruising the district looking for a good time?”

  “She says she’s almost sure it was him.”

  “Almost?”

  “Yeah, sorry, sir. I messed with her wording a bit. What she actually said was it was someone who looked like him. I just couldn’t resist seeing what your face would look like if I told you she had definitely identified Matthew Roberts.”

  Relief flooded Paolo’s body. “Very funny. Well, you got your moment of laughter, but in fact your Ms Massey has given us some help.”

  “How do you work that out, sir? You can’t arrest Matthew Roberts just for looking like the bloke who picked up Mandy Ward.”

  Paolo stood up. “No, but we can use a picture of him in with a load of others to see if the girl on the street also says Mandy Ward was picked up by someone who looked Roberts. It would at least give us an idea of what our maniac looks like.”

  Paolo reached the door and yelled for CC to come in. As he walked back to his desk he couldn’t help but smile. This could be the breakthrough they needed. If they used Matthew’s face as a starting point, the girl might be able to help them to build a decent identikit mock up of the killer.

  CHAPTER 14

  He closed the curtains against the feeble early morning March sunlight. Incense filled the air and he inhaled its sweet perfume, drawing the holy scent deep into his body. Candles burned at his makeshift altar. He knelt and begged for the honour of continuing the Lord’s great work. He was getting stronger each day, pushing back the other one – taking over the weakling’s mind and body. But it wasn’t enough. He needed God’s blessing. He needed a sign that God was pleased with his progress.

  As he prayed he felt the Lord’s presence drawing closer. The candlelight grew brighter and the sweet sound of angels singing lifted his soul. Fearful of looking on the Lord’s beauty, he kept his eyes on the patterned rug in front of the altar.

  “I am not worthy, Lord,” he whispered.

  A voice clearer, brighter and almost more beautiful than he could bear touched his soul.

  “You are more than worthy,” the Lord said. “You are my special one. My saver of souls.”

  He prostrated himself before the altar as the singing reached a crescendo and the Lord’s love washed over him in perfect waves.

  “What do you want of me, Lord?”

  “You must save them all, my child. Save every one of them, as I saved the Magdalene.”

  As the Lord finished speaking, the glory of His presence faded until only the flickering candlelight remained and the singing became no more than a whisper on the edge of hearing. He remained face down, naked and trembling with awe. The Lord had blessed him. The Lord had touched his soul. He was above mankind, at one with God’s son. Sobs wracked his body. He had not been worthy before today. But this morning he had been sanctified by the Holy Spirit. He was ready. The other within him could no longer fight. He’d been granted a decree from the heavenly powers and none could stand against it. Tomorrow was the Sabbath, the day on which God rested and so must he, but after that blessed day, he would collect another soul. He’d been confirmed as the Lord’s instrument and would prove himself worthy of His sacred trust.

  ***

  Paolo woke up smiling on Saturday morning. For the first time in what felt like eternity, he had an entire weekend to look forward to. He would be spending today with Katy, but later, after he and Lydia had spoken, who knew what might happen? He half sat up and put his hands behind his head. Settling back against the pillows, he allowed his mind to wander down a what if path.

  What if Lydia asked him to move back into the house? Hmm, possible, but not probable. She was more likely to say they should take things slowly and rebuild their relationship. Okay, so what if she suggested he spent weekends there? That was a definite possibility. He’d settle for that. He grinned. Right now he’d settle simply for Lydia telling him she wanted him to be part of her life again.

  He climbed out of bed, still smiling. Today was going to be a good day. Whatever Lydia suggested would be fine by him. It was going to be better than good; it was going to be a great day.

  After his shower, Paolo dressed with greater care than usual. It felt like going on a date. Or, at least, he assumed that was the feeling. He’d not been on a date since his high school days and those youthful dates had all been with Lydia. He smiled again – talk about a one-woman man. Then he laughed out loud at himself. Thank God no one could hear his thoughts. He sounded like an idiot even to his own mind.

  Still chuckling, he left his dingy bedsit and headed across town.

  Lydia opened the door, looking as gorgeous as ever. Paolo had to stop himself from asking her to tell him now what was on her mind. The last thing he wanted was to mess up whatever she had planned for later.

  “Come in, Paolo. Katy isn’t quite ready, but she’ll be down in a few minutes. Would you like some coffee?”

  “Sure thing, why not if you have some ready?”

  They walked through to the kitchen and Paolo sat at the table, angling his chair so that he was facing Lydia as she busied herself with the cafetière. She poured the water into the pot and then turned to look at him. Her smile made him feel seventeen again. He wanted to chuck up all responsibilities and take Lydia on a picnic by the river. Okay, maybe not that at this time of year, but something equally romantic.

  “What?” she asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  Paolo shrugged. “No particular reason. I was just thinking how nice it was that we weren’t arguing any longer. It’s pleasant just sitting here.”

  Lydia smiled and sat down opposite him. “Yes, I know, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about later, but we can chat now if you like.”

  Paolo was about to reach across the table and take Lydia’s hand when he heard Katy’s footsteps coming down the stairs. Before he could say anything, Katy was in the room.

  “Hi Dad, I’m ready whenever you are,” she said, dropping a kiss on his cheek as she w
ent past to open the biscuit barrel.

  “Katy, I think your mum wants to speak to me. Can you give us a few minutes?”

  She turned, custard cream midway to her mouth. “Is it about me? What now, Mum? What have I done wrong this time?”

  Lydia stood up and went over to the cafetière. “No, it isn’t about you, Katy, and you haven’t done anything wrong. It’s something completely different. You know what I want to discuss with your dad.” She turned to Paolo. “We can talk now if you want. You haven’t even had your coffee. Would you still like some?”

  He looked across at Katy who was shaking her head and mouthing the word no.

  “Thanks, Lydia, but I think Katy and I are going to get going.” He looked over at Katy who was swallowing the last of her biscuit. “Have you decided what you want to see yet?”

  Katy picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “I decided to let you choose. That way, if it’s rubbish I can blame you for a change. You never like any films I pick.”

  Paolo laughed and turned to Lydia. “I can see that whatever I decide is going to be a disaster. This should be fun. We’ll see you in a few hours. Still okay to chat later?”

  “Yep. Don’t hurry back, you two. Have a great time.”

  Paolo nodded towards the door. “Right, come on, kiddo. I don’t know about you but I’m starving. So hungry in fact that I could even eat some of that lovely non-nutritious stuff they serve in all your favourite eating houses. What shall we have today? Something with the texture of cardboard, loaded with sugar and fat, or shall we treat ourselves and have cardboard, sugar and fat with fries on the side?”

  Katy punched his arm as she went past. “You can be such a jerk, Dad.”

  “I know, kiddo, it’s why you love spending time with me,” he called after her.

  Giving Lydia a final wave, he followed Katy to the door.

  The noise of the burger house made it impossible to speak quietly. Crowds of young kids screeched to get the attention of waiters and waitresses dressed as clowns. Paolo looked over at the party closest to where he and Katy were sitting and remembered Sarah’s birthday party held in the same spot a few years before she died. His heart still ached every time he thought of her, but somehow he’d learned to cope with the pain. If only he hadn’t shut Lydia out, she most probably wouldn’t have had the affair. He’d blamed her for deserting him, but in truth, he’d deserted her, emotionally at least.