by M A Comley
“Let me think…maybe one or two over the last month or so.”
Hero handed the woman the photo of Stuart Daws. She went through the same ritual of studying the picture from different angles before she shook her head. “Sorry, can’t say I recognise that one.”
“Not to worry. This is the last one, then we’ll get out of your hair.” He passed her Lomax’s photo.
Mrs. Taylor recognised the man immediately. She started waving the photo around then stabbed at it with her gnarled arthritic finger. “Yes, now this one I’m sure about. I think he was here awhile back.”
Hero glanced at Julie, his eyes widening with expectation. “How long? A week, two weeks, a month even?”
“Oh, now that, I’m a bit fuzzy about. Maybe a good month or so, I would imagine. Why? What’s he done? What have they both been up to? I’m dying to know?”
“Again, that’s really helpful. Honestly, it’s pure speculation right now.”
“Hey, if I’ve got murderers hanging around here or something like that, I think I have a right to know.”
Hero cringed. He really didn’t want to scare the old woman. However, he did think she had a right to know if she was in any immediate danger. “I don’t want to worry you. At this moment, your neighbour is just wanted for questioning in a robbery case and a suspicious death.”
The woman’s mouth dropped open. “Bloody hell, I was only joking about the murderer thing. Right, the second you leave I’m going to get onto that bloomin’ council and demand a move. How am I supposed to sleep at night now, knowing that I could be living next door to a bloody murderer? Good heavens above, my Bert would be doing somersaults in his grave if he thought I was in mortal danger like that.”
“Honestly, Mrs. Taylor, I think you’re overreacting. We’ve got several teams on the lookout for Foster. I doubt very much he’ll come back here anytime soon. Hopefully, we’ll pick him up before long. Perhaps you should consider staying with your daughter for the next week or so. What do you think?”
The woman looked around the room. “I know this doesn’t look much to you, but it’s all I’ve got. This is my home, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to be driven from it, under any circumstances. I’ll be fine here, providing you lot do your job correctly and catch the bastard. Anyway, me and the son-in-law don’t exactly get on. I’d only be in the way if I stayed with them. It would only pile added stress on their already-stressful marriage.”
“I totally understand. You have my word we’ll do all we can to protect you. Be sure to keep your door locked and bolted at all times, and if someone should knock on your door, get them to post their ID through the letterbox for you to see, all right?”
Mrs. Taylor stood up to show them to the front door. “Now there’s no need to preach, sonny. I’ve lived, without incident, by myself for five years now. I’ll be fine, I hope,” she quietly added the final two words as an afterthought.
“Thanks for helping today. Stay safe. We’ll do all we can to help you on that front, too.” Hero smiled, then he and Julie walked out of the flat.
“Shall we keep trying?” Julie asked. “There are a few more flats to consider. Any visitors Foster had would need to pass them to get to his.”
“Yep, let’s split up. You go that way, and I’ll try this one here.”
Julie knocked on the door to the left of Foster’s flat, but there was no answer. Hero received the same result on the next two doors he tried. In the end, they gave up and returned to the station.
• • •
Stan Foster’s heart pounded as he watched the two suited people he presumed were detectives leave his building. Damn, that rules out trying to get back into the flat for a change of clothes anytime soon. He sniffed his underarm and recoiled at the smell. He hadn’t washed or changed clothes in days. Normally, that wouldn’t bother him, but the fact that the awkward situation he found himself in was making him sweat more than usual made his need to change clothes all the more urgent.
He shielded himself behind the industrial-sized metal wheelie bins and waited until the detectives’ car passed before he took out his phone and placed the call. Had he been right to ring the detective like that? Had they traced his call? What other reason would the police have to come here and see me?
He pressed the number one and listened to the dial tone for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, the person he was after answered the phone.
“Yes, what do you want, Stan?”
“You gotta help me.”
The woman let out a derisory laugh. “I do! Who says?”
“Come on, I need a place to stay. You bloody got me in this mess. It’s the least you can do.”
She laughed again. “Get stuffed. No one forced you to do what you’ve done. Why can’t you stay at your flat?”
“Because the filth have just been there. How do they know where I live?”
“It’s not difficult to find out. Surely, you have a mate who’ll help you out. Go and kip on their floor for a day or two until everything settles down.”
“I’ve got no mates. Stuart was my mate. Now he’s gone, I’ve got no one I can rely on,” Stan whined out of frustration.
“You’ll have to hide out in your car, then, won’t you? You’re definitely not welcome here. The cops could come knocking on my door at any time. Anyway, I’m busy,” she replied curtly.
Stan searched around him. Did he dare try to make it up to his flat? He shook his head. That would be like committing suicide. Maybe it would be better to leave it a few days before he tried to get in there to retrieve fresh clothes.
“All right, thanks for nothing. I’ve got a word of warning for you.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“If I go down for what’s happened, I’ll be taking you with me. I ain’t taking the rap for any fucker. Have you got that?”
“You can try and take me with you, but we both know I’ve covered my tracks well in all of this,” the woman retorted before she ended the call.
Stan was left seething. She was right. How the heck did I get so involved in this? He ran back to his car in a crouched position, relieved that the detectives hadn’t spotted his vehicle in the car park of one of the shops. He started the engine and sat there for a while, having no idea where he could drive to next for the shelter he desperately needed. He pulled away and headed into the country, where he would be less likely to be discovered.
CHAPTER TEN
That evening, Hero returned home feeling dissatisfied by the day’s lack of progress. He had hoped that the case would have found some traction and even a forward momentum. But nothing could be further from the truth.
“Hi, Fay,” he knelt beside his wife, who was nursing one of the twins on the couch, and kissed her cheek. “Good day? Did the girls behave themselves?”
“Not bad. A few niggles here and there. I suppose I’ll need to get used to that. Double the trouble and all that. You’ve got a visitor.” Fay nodded her head at the person standing behind him, leaning in the doorway of the kitchen.
“Sis? What are you doing here?” Hero asked, surprised to see Cara.
Fay nudged him with her foot. “Take it in the kitchen, guys, will you. I don’t want the little ones picking up on any bad vibes.”
Hero stood and frowned at his wife. “Bad vibes? Why would there be bad vibes when I’m talking to my sister?”
“You haven’t heard her news yet.” Fay winked and looked down at Zara.
Hero ran a worried hand over his face as he stepped into the kitchen to switch on the kettle. Looking anxious, Cara sat at the kitchen table, her hands clenched tightly together. He didn’t say anything until he’d made two very strong coffees and sat down opposite her. Cara grabbed her mug and wrapped her hands around it.
“Okay, let’s have it. Are you pregnant?”
His sister’s head shot up, and their gazes locked. “No, I am not! Christ, if only that was the case, do you think I’d be crapping myself like this?”
&
nbsp; Hero leaned back in his chair and braced himself. “All right. So what’s wrong then? Come on, hon. I would like to spend some time with my family this evening, if that’s okay with you?”
Cara’s chair scraped back, and she stood up. “Sorry to have disturbed your evening, I’ll come back another time.”
Hero ducked down to get in her sightline. Searching her eyes, he cursed himself for being so abrupt towards her when he saw the tears welling up in his twin’s eyes. “Cara, what’s wrong? You’re starting to worry me now. Forget my crass remark. Sit down and tell me. I’m always willing to share your troubles. You know that.”
Cara slumped into her chair and buried her shaking head in her hands.
Hero shot out of his own chair to comfort her. “Sweetheart, you’re seriously beginning to worry me.” He had to wait until her out-of-character sobbing ceased before he could try again. “Sis, tell me what’s happened?”
Cara wiped the drips from her nose on her sleeve, making Hero cringe. “I did something stupid.”
That much, Hero had already assumed. “Such as?”
She inhaled a large breath and let it out slowly before she replied, “I hit someone.”
Hero was tempted to laugh, but he restrained himself because he sensed Cara was about to follow up with something far more substantial than hitting someone. “And?”
“It just happened to be my instructor.”
Hero covered his face with his hand and groaned. “Tell me you’re joking?”
“I’m not. Don’t go all high and mighty on me now. He had it coming. He has WHT.”
“What? WHT?”
“Wandering hand trouble. He never knows when to keep his hands to himself. The other girls might not mind him having a sneaky grope when no one’s looking, but I bloody do!”
“Cara, Cara, Cara…what have you done?”
She pushed her mug away in disgust. “Well, I thought I’d get support from you, at least.”
“Of course I’ll support you. It doesn’t alter the fact that your fiery temper has probably caused severe damage to your career and got you thrown off the course.”
“Why is it always my fault? He groped me first. Doesn’t that effing count for anything?” Cara leaned forward and lowered her voice in case Louie overheard them talking. “Why do men always think we women should ignore such assaults? If you men didn’t think with that thing dangling between your legs ninety percent of the time, this type of shit wouldn’t happen.”
“You’re twisting my words, and you know it. No, no woman should ever ignore harassment of that or any other kind. However, these issues have to take the right route in order for things to change. You thrashing out like that has only made your situation a darn sight worse.”
“Gee thanks! Just what I want to hear.”
“You know what I’m getting at. I shouldn’t have to point out the obvious. You’re not stupid. Were there any witnesses?”
“Witnesses? What to? His assault or mine?”
“Both, preferably the former. Well?” Hero took a sip of his coffee then pushed Cara’s mug back across the table to within her reach.
“Yes, but everyone I’ve talked to is denying it,” she replied glumly.
“Jesus, really? I see there’s a lot of solidarity within your group then.”
“Ha, hardly. The girls are shitting themselves after seeing me instantly suspended.”
“Crap. Do you want me to see if I can find out what’s going on?”
“There’s no point. This instructor has been at the training centre for years. Who are the disciplinary panel likely to believe, him or me?”
“Who is the instructor, and what did he actually do?”
“His name is Wade. He was using me as a willing participant in a self-defence class.”
Hero raised a hand. “Are you sure you haven’t misconstrued anything, Cara?”
“Jesus, Hero, give me some credit, will you? The guy groped my breast, for Christ’s sake. Why the hell would he bloody need to do that?”
“All right, don’t bite my head off. I’m merely trying to figure out what’s gone on and how we can offer up some kind of defence.”
“Sorry. Can’t you understand how frustrating all of this is for me? You’re lucky. You men don’t have to put up with shit like this.”
“Granted, there have only been a few cases of sexual assault brought against an ex-instructor that I know of. We have to be one hundred percent sure before we fight back on this one, Cara. A man’s career could hang in the balance here.”
“Hero! I can’t believe you just said that. What about my effing career? Doesn’t that count in all of this? Why do you think I’m so upset?”
“It does. You know it does. I’m just saying that we have to be cautious how we tackle the authorities. Obviously, it would be better if you had witnesses who were willing to speak up for you, but if there aren’t any, then I sense that we’re in for a tough ride.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand tightly. “You know that I’ll be behind you one hundred percent, love, even if that means putting my own career in jeopardy.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. If you get involved, the higher-ups will just take it that you’re up to your old tricks again, out to cause trouble.”
“No they won’t. I’ve behaved myself in that department for the past few years now. My disciplinary record shouldn’t be called into question. I’m concerned about you, not me, though. Most of the time, if a recruit is put on suspension, then their career usually comes to a grinding halt.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. That’s my biggest concern in all of this. Should I consider just walking away?”
Hero thought while he took another sip from his mug. “That’s a tough call and one that ultimately, you’ll have to make. In my book, the force would be foolish to lose you. And if you walk away from the training, I think it could turn out to be the biggest mistake of your life.”
“So what’s the answer?”
“I’m thinking.” Hero smiled, hoping it would be infectious. It wasn’t.
“Well, think faster. I’m drowning fast, brother dearest.”
“Knock, knock, mind if we come in?” Fay asked from the doorway. Little Louie had his arms wrapped around her legs, and she was still holding Zara.
“I think you’ll need to get rid of your hanger-on if you intend coming in.” He laughed and rose from his seat to lend his wife a hand. “Here, let me take my beautiful daughter.”
“Thanks, that’s a great help. Someone not far from here wants his hot chocolate before going to bed. Don’t you, mate?” Fay ruffled her son’s hair, and he let go of her legs and ran to the fridge to retrieve the milk carton.
Hero glanced at his watch. “God, is it that time already? I don’t know where the time goes.”
Cara stood and looked at Hero and Fay. “I’m sorry for taking up so much of your valuable time. I’ll leave you to it now.”
“You will not. Sit down. We haven’t finished yet, and stop taking umbrage just because I told the truth about the time.” He turned to Fay. “We’ve got enough dinner for Cara to join us, haven’t we, love? I can ring for a takeaway or chop a few extra veggies.”
“I don’t mind. It’s up to Cara.”
“No need, I think I’d rather go anyway. I want to try and get my head around a few things. I appreciate the advice, Hero. Maybe I’ll ring you later for another chat if things refuse to become clearer.”
Hero stepped forward and kissed his sister on the cheek. “We’re behind you, love. Don’t ever doubt that. You don’t have to leave. I’d rather you stayed and discussed it once the little one’s ears are out of earshot.”
“Thanks. I’ve made up my mind. I think I need a drink to help me decide what to do next. I’ll call at the pub on the way home.”
“Well, you know my answer to that. Drink never solved anything, love. I should know. I used to be a walking pint of beer, remember?” He smiled again, hoping to lighten the
atmosphere a little.
“I’ll talk later. I promise I won’t get bladdered, despite needing to.” Cara picked up her jacket and handbag and left the house.
Fay ran a hand down Hero’s arm and kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “Did you manage to get anywhere with her? No, before you answer that, let’s get this young man sorted and tucked up in bed first.”
After giving Louie his treat and bathing him together, Hero and Fay collapsed onto the couch with a glass of orange juice. Because of Hero’s past drinking problems, that was really all he allowed to pass his lips nowadays, maybe an odd pint down the pub with his work colleagues after they’d successfully closed a case, but certainly nothing more than that.
Fay tucked her legs up onto the couch beside him and placed her head on his chest. “Do you want to talk about Cara?”
“I think we should. I take it she told you what had happened?”
Fay sighed and caressed his hand. “It’s not a situation I would envy getting caught up in.”
“And if that had occurred with you, how would you have dealt with it, Fay?”
“I don’t think anyone could answer that properly until they found themselves in that kind of difficulty. But I certainly would have struck out if it did happen to me. I have, in fact.”
Hero placed his glass on the table next to him and pushed Fay upright so he could look into her eyes. “When? Where? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Hey, stop with all the questions. The incident took place when I first started work. I didn’t even know you back then. Some sleazy guy in the packing department at a factory I used to work at. I only lasted there a week, and the job was just too mundane for words. Anyway, he copped a feel of my backside one day when I was stretching over the conveyor belt to get something. The rest of the workforce thought it was hilarious until I kneed the little shit in the groin. He ended up putting in a complaint about me.”
