‘Great,’ Nick mutters, not looking up from his laptop. ‘Where are you going to put all the rubbish?’
‘Don't worry, we'll help,’ chimes in Helen, laughing. ‘I need a bit of exercise. We'll need black rubbish bags and a couple of strong brushes.’
Nick groans, puts down his laptop. ‘I’ll change into my old clothes, be back in a minute.’
With three of us doing it, we're soon finished. Nick takes the rubbish bags out while I get the drinks and nibbles ready.
‘When's your flight, Helen?’ Nick asks, coming into the kitchen to wash his hands.
‘It’s at 9.30 tomorrow morning from Luton Airport.’ Then under her breath she mutters. ‘I just wish Beth was coming with me.’
Nick starts sipping his wine but I can see him watching me out of the corner of his eye.
‘Fancy an early morning drive, Nick? The roads won't be busy if we leave early. It'll only take an hour if we hurry.’
He shakes his head. ‘I would if I could but I’ve a lot on tomorrow.’
Helen stands up. ‘I’ll take the train back to the airport, it doesn’t take long, so please don’t worry Beth.’
‘Okay, then I'm booking you a taxi.’
Nick looks over at Helen. ‘Don't worry. I'll look after her when you’re gone.’
15
Helen Returns to Athens
‘Taxi's here - hurry,’ Nick shouts, opening the front door.
Helen wraps her arms around me and hugs me as if she'll never see me again. ‘Take care and call me.’ One last wave and she's gone.
Nick says something to the young police officer in the garden, then he gets in his car and winds down his window. ‘Beth, if you're worried about anything let the officer know or call me - alright?’
I nod.
He gives a mock salute and drives off.
I feel restless, Helen's on her way to Athens, Nick's gone to work, and I'm stuck here. I watch his car until it turns the corner then go inside.
On the kitchen table sit the remnants of breakfast. Helen's half eaten croissant and Nick's empty plate – he had two slices of toast with beans on top, and two more on the side, one of which he left. I sit absentmindedly spreading Vegemite over the leftover slice when my foot touches something hard under the table. I take a quick look, it's Nick's laptop, he must have forgotten it.
Wiping the crumbs of toast from my hands, I reach down and haul it up onto the table. I sit looking at it for a few minutes. This is his work laptop, so everything relating to these awful rape and assault cases could be right here. He doesn't have a key, so he'll have to knock to come in. I remember his password so quickly login. It takes me a while to find what I'm looking for but when I do, I'm stunned. Some of the details are missing such as where it happened but there's a lot to go on, much more than I expected.
A slight tap at the door makes me swing round. Shit. He's back. I quickly logout, shove the laptop back under the table and stand up.
There's another tap at the door. I run to the living room and peer through the blinds, it's a delivery man. It's the furniture I ordered.
Ten minutes later I'm surveying a new red sofa and two large red chairs, the plastic covering will have to stay until we've decorated the room, we also need new flooring, or a carpet fitted, but for now this will have to do.
Then I remember Nick's laptop, Mum has a printer in her bedroom. With his laptop under my arm I run upstairs.
Fifteen minutes later Nick's laptop is back under the kitchen table. I’m upstairs going through my printouts highlighting in green all the women who reported being raped or assaulted and subsequently retracted their statements. There aren't many, but they must be investigated. I circle the notes made by Nick in red, jot down a couple of the victim's names and phone numbers, scribble a few ideas about what I'm going to say to them then put the printer away and hide the printouts in Mum's wardrobe.
I glance out of the window, it's such a lovely day but I know the police officer downstairs has strict instructions to keep an eye on me. If I leave the house, he'll call Nick. Just as I'm about to move away from the window a white van catches my eye, someone's in the driver's seat but I can't see them clearly. I look for a little longer, then realize I'm getting paranoid, it's just a van, it could belong to anyone.
16
Later that day
A Spanakopita (feta cheese and spinach pie) and a tray of fat red peppers stuffed with rice and herbs are cooking in the oven. I'm curled up on one of the new chairs in the living room, a large glass of white wine in my hand. After dinner I'll tell Nick what I intend to do, I have no choice. Hopefully he'll help, but whatever happens, I have to meet at least one of the women I found on his laptop.
My phone rings. It's Nick. ‘Sorry I'm late. I'll be there in a few minutes. Do we need anything for dinner?
‘No, I've cooked, it’ll be ready soon, so hurry up.’
Ten minutes later he's in the kitchen, he squats down in front of the oven and peers inside.
‘I could get used to this,’ he says sniffing the food. ‘Scrumptious looking pie, stuffed peppers and all home made.’ He stands up, gives me a sort of hug, then disappears upstairs. ‘I'll get changed, be down in a minute.’
I know his few minutes, he’ll probably have a shower and I’m hungry. ‘I'm going to eat, I'll be in the garden, you can serve yourself.’
Fifteen minutes later he comes out and joins me with a plateful of food. Scooping up a forkful of pie he pops it in his mouth. ‘This is delicious Beth; you should be a cook.’
I sit sipping my wine thoughtfully while he cleans his plate, glad he's enjoying it. I don't really know much about him he never talks about his ex-wife or says anything about a girlfriend.
‘When you were married, did your wife do all the cooking?’ I ask, then regret saying it, what do I care if she did or not. Alex and I started out doing everything together, but that didn't last long.
‘I wasn't there much,’ he says wiping his mouth on a piece of kitchen roll, then he glugs down some beer and carries on eating. ‘I ate at work most of the time and at weekends we'd get a take-away or she cooked.’ He pauses, as if remembering then smiles. ‘It was all so quick - I asked her out and a month later we were married.’
He's surprised me now. ‘So, it was an on the spur sort of thing?’
‘Yes, I suppose you could say that. At first, we were happy then I changed jobs. Viv, that's my wife, well she was often alone. I thought she was okay; I was making good money.’ He looks thoughtful for a minute then gives a shrug. ‘We had a lovely house. Then one day she just upped and left.’
‘That's awful, Nick, I'm so sorry.’
He nods in agreement. ‘Yes, and a few days later she calls and leaves a message asking for a divorce.’ He shrugs and finishes off his food. ‘What about you?’
‘Oh, it was just one of those things,’ I mumble. Only Helen and Mum and a few good friends know about it. I don't feel comfortable telling Nick, although I like him a lot, I don't really know him.
‘What happened?’ he asks, leaning forward, an unlit cigarette in his hand.
‘Oh, it's a long story.’
He sits drinking his beer, watching me. ‘Did Helen know, was she in Athens with you?’
‘Yes, but she was having problems with her travel agency, she's lucky James was there. Do you remember him? He was in our class at school in Evesly.’
He nods. ‘Yes, he moved to Athens also, didn't he?’
I'm amazed he remembers; we were never really close; I didn't think he knew James that well.
‘Yes, he’s a good friend of ours, Helen and him are very close.’
He looks surprised. ‘I thought she was married?’
I laugh. He knows everything, doesn’t he. ‘Yes, she is.’ I stand up and stretch then catch Nick watching me, he looks away and lights his cigarette.
‘Nick, we've got to do something, this has gone on long enough. It's not safe here and Mum will be back soon.’
He nods in agreement. ‘You're right, so what do you suggest?’
I take a deep breath. ‘I know how we can catch them I've been doing some research.’
His eyes nearly pop out of his head, he sits staring at me for a long time then sighs. ‘You must leave this to me, Beth. You're already a target, you'll only inflame the situation.’ He raises an eyebrow and looks intently at me. ‘And we don't want that, do we?’
I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but this is ridiculous, what the hell's wrong with him? ‘Nick, I've got to do something, if I leave it to the police, nothing's going to get done, is it?’
He sits looking at me for a moment, stubs out his cigarette and stands up.
‘For God's sake Nick, sit down and listen, I'm only trying to help. I've been researching cases of rape and assault in the Evesly and Oxford area.’
He sits down and stares at me, now I've really got his attention. ‘The people who commit these crimes are just plain evil, they enjoy hurting people.’
A muscle twitches in his cheek, his lips are pressed together in a tight line. ‘You don't do anything, okay?’ His voice is so cold, I feel a shiver run down my spine.
‘You have no idea do you Nick? Have you ever wondered why victims of rape don't confide in the police?’ I lean forward and lower my voice. ‘These cases should have been solved a long time ago, but they haven't been, have they?’ Before he can say anything, I carry on. ‘The women need someone to confide in. They need someone like me - someone they can relate to - someone who understands what they've gone through.’
He suddenly grabs my face with both hands, it's as if he's going to kiss me, then he laughs. ‘You may be right, Beth, but that's never going to happen.’ He's looking at me with a strange expression on his face, then he lets go of my face and picks up his beer.
‘Nick, I can phone a couple of the victims, arrange to see them, I can go by myself, or you can take me.’
He raises his eyebrows and shakes his head. ‘You're stark raving mad!’ Then his eyes narrow. ‘And how do you know their names and phone numbers?’
Shit. Now what do I say?
‘How do you think? I went on-line, found some articles, the rest was easy. Come on Nick, it won't take long, I’ll try and arrange to meet one of them tomorrow, what about in the afternoon?’
He sits shaking his head. ‘And if I don't help?’
‘Need you ask?’
He stands up as if to go. I jump up and stand in front of him.
‘I'll disguise myself, even you won't recognize me.’
He's watching me closely, his eyes are like slits, he looks different, then he smiles. ‘Okay, show me.’
I run upstairs and ten minutes later I'm back in the kitchen wearing a black wig and one of Mum's old three-quarter length dresses. Fortunately, we're the same size, so I look okay. I walk over and give him a twirl.
‘What do you think?’
He leans forward and laughs. ‘You don't look any different.’
‘Well that's because you know it's me. Get me a police uniform, I'll pull down the cap then you won't recognize me.’
He's looking at me in that strange way again then he gets up. ‘I'll talk to you in the morning, I'm going to bed. I have an early start.’
I watch him go. It feels strange, just the two of us here.
‘Night,’ I call, after him. How strange, I'm getting used to having him here. The dimly lit kitchen that had just seemed so cosy, now feels creepy. The light from the hallway casts shadows on the wall and I shiver. I peer through the kitchen window and gasp. It's only the officer but he made me jump.
Nick must be finished in the bathroom I hear his bedroom door close.
Upstairs in Mum’s room I sit wondering what she’d think if she knew Nick was here. It's nearly 11pm so midnight in Spain, they're probably asleep, I'll ring them in the morning.
After brushing my teeth, I slip into a nighty, snuggle under the duvet, leaving the bedside light on. Just to make sure, I reach under my pillow and feel the handle of the kitchen knife. I close my eyes, but sleep evades me.
I lie in bed, listening to the sounds of the night, an owl calling to its mate, the sound of a passing car – but I still can't sleep. I wonder if Nick's asleep. Then I freeze.
What was that?
There it goes again; it's coming from outside. I reach for my knife, slide out of bed and creep onto the landing.
‘What the hell are you doing out here?’ Nick hisses, then he notices the knife in my hand. ‘Go back to your room!’
He goes downstairs, I follow.
Suddenly there's a crash, the front door swings open. Standing in the doorway, wearing a balaclava is a man holding a gun.
With one hand Nick pushes me behind him, then someone shouts.
‘Police, put your hands up.’
The man swears then turns and runs.
Nick turns and looks at me, his face is like a mask in the moonlight. ‘Do you want to get killed?’ he snaps. ‘Go back inside.’ He grabs me and pushes me back inside the house, then runs down the garden path after the officer with me following. I trip over something. It's the young police officer from the front garden. I reach out to feel for his pulse. Shit!
I run into the kitchen, grab the house phone and dial 999.
‘I need an ambulance, someone's been hurt, you must be quick, I can't feel his pulse.’
17
Visit Jane
A few days ago, the police installed CCTV over the front bedroom window, just above the front door. I asked them to install it along the street but so far nothing's been done. The guy last night was wearing a balaclava so even with the CCTV we don’t know who he was.
‘I'm late,’ Nick yells, hurtling down the stairs into the kitchen. ‘Where's my laptop?’
I smile to myself. ‘It's probably under the table where you left it. You don't have to rush, it's only ten past eight.’ I pass him a plate of freshly made bacon sandwiches.
His eyes widen. ‘Bacon sandwiches?’
‘Yeah.’
He takes a bite and grimaces. ‘What sort of bacon is this, it tastes like wood.’
He looks so funny I can’t help but laugh. ‘Here, put some HP sauce on it.’
‘No. It's okay.’ He rams the rest into his mouth then takes a sip of coffee. ‘Don't you miss eating real bacon?’
‘No. I prefer this.’
He raises an eyebrow, takes another large gulp of coffee and turns to go.
‘What about the young PC, is there any news?’
‘He's critical, but they think he'll pull through, now I must go, or I'll be late.’
‘We should visit him in hospital, but not today, I have to arrange to see one of the women. What time shall I make it?’
He frowns and looks irritated.
‘Come on Nick, last night you said you would take me.’
‘I didn't say anything of the sort,’ he declares, screwing up his face. Then he gives me one of his serious looks. ‘You know I could get into trouble for this, don't you?’
I hadn't thought of that.
He stares at me for a long time as if deciding what to do.
I turn and walk over to the window. He follows. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he quietly says. ‘I'll be busy most of the day, but if it must be today, make it around 12.30 – lunchtime, then give me a call to let me know.’
I watch him drive away, then bolt the door, run upstairs and take out my notes.
The first woman I call cuts me off after just a few seconds. The next one seems hesitant, but I keep talking. I explain what happened to me, and why I'm calling. ‘Did you have a similar experience?’ I ask, holding my breath.
Silence.
I don't want to frighten her, so I lower my voice. ‘I want to help you. I want to catch the people who did this. We must talk. Can we meet somewhere?’
‘Who are you?’ she demands. ‘Are you with the police?’
I quickly look at my notes, her name is Jane F
urrows. ‘Jane, I'm a friend of Detective Inspector Nick Stephens, you can phone him if you like, he'll confirm it. I live in Oxford with my mother and son.’
Silence.
‘Jane, are you still there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Listen carefully Jane, have you got a pen? Good, now write down my name and phone number.’ I give her time to jot it down then ask. ‘Can we meet today at lunchtime, about 12.30?’
‘Can you come to my house?’
‘Of course - at the address you gave the police?’
‘Yes.’
I read it to her just to make sure it’s the same address.
‘Okay Jane, I'll see you soon.’
‘Wait, how will I know it's you?’
I'm just about to say I'm 5'4’ with blonde hair, then remember I'll be in disguise. ‘I have long black hair, I'm of medium height. DI Stephens will drop me off in his black VW Golf, he'll wait outside, so there's nothing to worry about.’
Afterwards I sit staring at my phone for a few minutes, then I call Nick. Although he tries to brush me off saying he's too busy he has a meeting to go to, he eventually agrees to collect me around 12.00 mid-day.
For the next few hours I pace around Mum's bedroom rehearsing what to say, then I start getting dressed. At 12.10 my phone rings, it's Nick, he's outside. Checking my notepad and phone are in my bag, I leave.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see the new policeman watching me as I walk around the corner to Nick's car.
We drive to Jane's house in silence. He parks a little further down the street from where her house is. He looks anxious but says nothing. I open the door then turn to look at him. ‘Don't worry, I won't be long.’ He just nods and watches me walk to her house.
I ring the doorbell. No answer. I press my finger on it harder. This time I can hear someone coming.
A young woman with long red curly hair and large blue eyes opens the door.
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