The Silent Quarry

by Cheryl Rees-Price

  ‘Did you have a dog in 1987?’

  ‘Yes, a Westie called Theo.’ He tried to force a smile; his mouth felt dry and he longed to reach into the drawer and take a gulp from the whiskey bottle. Meadows’ eyes were scrutinising his every gesture and Edris’ pen was poised on the notepad.

  ‘So it’s possible that you were up the mountain that day?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so, but if I’d seen Gwen Collier I would have informed the police at the time.’

  ‘How well did you know Bethan and Gwen?’

  ‘I was teaching English at the time. I could check if I taught them, if you like.’

  ‘You did teach them.’

  ‘Right, well, a large number of pupils go through the school each year. You wouldn’t expect me to remember every single one.’

  ‘From information that we received it appears that the girls spent some time in detention with you.’

  An image of Bethan sat on the desk in the classroom flashed across his mind. Nothing happened in the classroom, not with those two. This is Gwen’s doing, bitch! He doesn’t know what went on in detentions. He’s just guessing. Playing a game. ‘It’s possible. Like I said, I’ve taught hundreds of pupils over the years and quite a few of them end up in detention. If I recall, you spent a fair amount of time outside my office, Tristan.’

  Tristan looked across at Meadows, nodded, and gave a wry smile. Giles felt the grip on his chest loosen. They don’t know anything.

  ‘Did you see Bethan and Gwen outside of school?’

  ‘I live in the same village, so, yes, our paths crossed occasionally, but only inasmuch as an acknowledgement as I passed by.’

  ‘Well, thank you for your time, Mr Epworth. We may need to come back once we’ve taken a formal statement from the witness that saw you and Gwen on the mountain that day.’

  ‘Of course. As I said, it is a possibility. Out of interest, who was it who claimed to have seen me? It might help jog my memory.’

  ‘I’m sorry we can’t divulge that information.’

  ‘I see, well, if there is nothing more I can do for you.’ Giles rose from the chair.

  The two men left the office and he let out a slow breath. The tightness in his chest drew his hand to the whiskey bottle, he allowed himself a small sip then paced the office. There were only two people who saw me that day. Either Gwen has remembered or else he has come forward. It can’t be Gwen otherwise they would have taken me in. Where is he now? Catrin would know, that little slag has slept her way through the Valley. I can’t ask her outright, though.

  Giles slumped down in his chair. He put his head in his hand as he tried to think of different ways he could get the information without raising suspicion. An idea came to him and he took a sheet of paper from his desk and wrote down five names. He smiled to himself then called in Catrin.

  ‘The police have asked for my help with their enquiries. I need to know the whereabouts of these five former pupils. This is confidential, you understand. They’re interviewing everyone that was in school the same time as Bethan and Gwen.’

  Catrin took the paper and glanced at the names. ‘This shouldn’t be a problem, I know a couple of these guys.’

  That’s what I was banking on. ‘Just write down the addresses and get it to me as soon as possible.’ He dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

  He waited in his office for the next hour, knowing Catrin would be working to get him the information. He tried to concentrate on work but his mind was in turmoil. When he could stand the wait no longer he walked out of the office and forced a smile.

  ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’

  ‘OK. I’ve managed to get two of the addresses for you and I’m working on the others.’

  Giles tried not to show too much enthusiasm as he stepped closer to Catrin’s desk and peered over her shoulder. He scanned the notes on her desk and felt a flutter in his chest.

  ‘Good work.’ He touched her briefly on the shoulder before leaving.

  He had memorised the address and as he drove nearer he felt a twinge of doubt. Should I show myself and confront him about going to the police? Giles shuddered. No, I don’t think he’s told them everything. I could make things worse. He decided to just drive past the house, get a feel for the type of life he was living, check out what sort of car he drove.

  The address was on a newly built estate. There was a large area of grass in the centre with a children’s play park. Giles slowed down as he looked for the number. Very nice, he must be doing well. He parked a few doors down and sat in the car, watching in his rear view mirror. Shouts from a playground drew his attention and he turned his head to watch the children. I should have gone home and picked up the dog, I would have been able to walk around without arousing suspicion.

  An ice cream van turned into the road, trilling a catchy melody. A group of children left the park, two of them ran into the house he was watching. A few moments later they emerged followed by a dark-haired woman who stood on the pavement watching them. So he has a wife and kids. Good, he won’t want to lose them. He started the engine and drove off. Now all I need is to know Gwen’s weakness. Maybe it’s time to call Alex Thomas into my office.

  Chapter Nineteen

  ‘You do know that David has gone to the police station this morning to answer more questions?’ Sue Collier sat at the kitchen table, her arms folded across her chest and her eyes fixed on Gwen.

  Gwen ignored the accusation in her mother’s voice. ‘Yes, Mum, Detective Meadows mentioned that he wanted to talk to him.’ She turned away and opened the dishwasher.

  ‘So it’s Detective Meadows now, very formal,’ Sue huffed. ‘I don’t understand why you’d think that David would hurt you. Honestly, after all he’s done for us. I don’t know how I would’ve coped without him when your father died.’

  Gwen took the dishes from the rack and placed them on the counter with a sigh. ‘I didn’t say that he attacked me.’ She turned to look at her mother. ‘Something happened that day with David. I know he chased me out of the house and grabbed my arm. Then after the attack he was never the same towards me.’

  ‘Of course he wasn’t the same. We thought we’d lost you. David took it really hard.’

  Gwen moved a chair next to her mother and sat down. ‘We argued that day, why won’t you tell me what it was about?’

  ‘It was nothing. Please, Gwen, can’t you just leave things as they are?’

  ‘I want to know what happened that day. I need to understand why someone wanted to kill me and Beth. Part of that is knowing every detail of that day so I can piece it all together.’ Gwen placed her hand on top of her mothers and gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘Please, Mum.’

  Sue turned her head towards Gwen, tears moistened her eyes. ‘I can’t.’

  Gwen stared at her mother. You were crying that morning. She took her hand from her mothers and rubbed her temples as she closed her eyes. She could see her bedroom walls. The posters tacked to the yellow paint. Mismatched furniture and flowery curtains. She was lying on the bed, frustration tensing her body …

  Saturday ruined because Beth, for whatever reason, doesn’t want to go shopping.

  She heard the front door open and sat up. Someone was in the house. Maybe Beth decided to go after all. Whoever it was didn’t call out. Gwen jumped off the bed and peered out the window. Her mother was still in the garden. She saw David creep towards her mother, he reached out his hand and squeezed her bottom. What the hell does he think he’s doing? She saw her mother turn around and laugh. Why isn’t she slapping his face? Pervert!

  She watched, mesmerised, as he pulled her mother close and began to nuzzle her neck. Anger spiked Gwen’s skin. Her mother was looking nervously around the garden as if afraid to be seen by the neighbours, then she wrestled him towards the back door, their laughter carrying up to the window.

  Gwen crept downstairs and into the sitting room, she could hear them in the kitchen. How could they? It’s disgusting. She charged through the k
itchen door and watched them guiltily pull apart. ‘What’s going on?’ she shrieked.

  ‘Gwen, love, I didn’t know you were home.’ Sue blushed as she smoothed back her hair. ‘Uncle David has come around to cut the lawn.’

  ‘I’m not fucking stupid!’ Gwen could feel her breath quicken as her heart thudded in her chest.

  ‘Don’t talk to your mother like that,’ David growled.

  Gwen ignored him and glared at her mother. ‘How long has this been going on?’

  ‘Nothing is going on.’ Sue stepped forward.

  ‘Maybe it’s time she knew the truth,’ David said.

  Gwen’s eyes snapped open, her mother sat staring at her cup on the table. ‘What did I need to know?’ Gwen demanded.

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Sue’s face creased with confusion.

  ‘David said I needed to know the truth that day. It’s obvious you were seeing him and I can understand why you wouldn’t want to tell me then, but it’s more than that, isn’t it?’

  Sue stood up. ‘Please, Gwen, I don’t want to lose you again.’ She started towards the kitchen door.

  ‘Don’t go.’ Gwen followed. ‘What do you mean lose me again? Please Mum just tell me.’

  ‘Just drop it, Gwen.’ Sue had reached the front door and opened it, and turned to face Gwen. ‘You just have to trust me when I say that David would never hurt you.’ She stepped out the door and closed it, before Gwen could say another word.

  Gwen stomped back into the kitchen. Frustration pumped adrenalin through her body causing her muscles to tense. She was obviously sleeping with him, maybe she still is, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t hurt me. Maybe he wanted me out of the way. She finished emptying the dishwasher then grabbed Blue’s lead. I have to get out of here. She called the dog then picked up Ariana’s iPod and put it in her pocket.

  As she headed towards the park the sky darkened with heavy black clouds. It clouded over that afternoon, then the rain came as I was walking across the mountain. I was looking for somewhere to shelter. The barn. Gwen felt anxiety gnaw at her stomach as she tried to grasp the watery memory. The image of the barn faded as she entered the park. It was quiet, all the children were at school and the threat of rain had driven away anyone else that may have frequented the park at this time of day.

  Gwen took the iPod from her pocket and placed the headphones into her ears. She scanned the playlist until she came across one labelled Mum’s old music and hit play. Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ filled the silence of the park. Gwen smiled as she was transported back to Beth’s bedroom …

  ‘What do you think?’ Beth smoothed down the purple jacket and pranced in front of the mirror.

  ‘It’s alright.’ Gwen sat on the bed with her legs folded and one arm supporting her weight as she observed Beth from behind.

  ‘Alright? I think I look gorgeous.’ She winked at herself then picked up a pair of gold hoop earrings. ‘Not too sure if these go with it.’

  Gwen rolled her eyes and picked up a magazine from the bedside table. I’m not telling her she looks good in it. She knew I wanted that jacket. I’ve been saving up for weeks. Jealousy scraped the inside of her stomach. She flipped the pages of the magazine without looking at the articles.

  ‘What’s the matter with you?’ Beth had turned away from the mirror and was staring at Gwen, her lips pursed and one hand on her hip.

  ‘Nothing.’ Gwen tossed the magazine on the bed and swung her legs off the bed.

  ‘You’ve been in a mood since you got here.’

  ‘I just don’t think this is a good idea.’

  ‘Well, you can’t back out now.’ Beth’s eyes narrowed. ‘Come on,’ she sat on the edge of the bed. ‘It’ll be fun.’

  ‘Well, you do it then.’ Gwen folded her arms across her chest.

  ‘But he likes you, I’ve seen the way he looks at you.’

  ‘It’s disgusting. I don’t want him touching me.’

  ‘It’s just this one time, you might even enjoy it,’ Beth giggled. ‘Look, you don’t have to go all the way, just enough for me to take some photos. I’ll be with you the whole time. Maybe he will fancy a threesome.’

  Gwen felt her skin crawl; the idea of Epworth putting his hands on her made her feel nauseous. ‘I can’t do it.’ Tears stung her eyes and she turned her head away.

  ‘There’s nothing to it; anyway, it’s about time you got yourself laid. We’ll go there tonight and pretend that we need help with our homework. I’ve watched his house, he lives alone. I’ve even got a bottle of wine in my bag. I’ll let you wear my new jacket.’ Beth took hold of Gwen’s hand and pulled her to her feet. ‘I’ll do your hair and makeup, the dirty bugger won’t be able to resist you.’ Laughter filled the bedroom …

  ‘Gwen!’

  Gwen looked up and saw Sam Morris staring at her. She pulled out her earplugs and looked around feeling disorientated. I must have sat down on the bench, I don’t remember doing so. She looked down, Blue was sat at her feet.

  ‘Are you alright?’

  She hadn’t noticed the rain, now she felt a chill run through her body, her T-shirt was soaked and clung to her skin. Sam was glancing around nervously.

  ‘I’m fine, thank you.’

  ‘I didn’t mean to startle you and I know you probably don’t want to talk to me, but I saw you sitting here, staring at the floor. I just wanted to make sure that you were OK.’

  Gwen studied his face. He looked different from how she remembered. His face had thinned and deep lines creased the skin around his eyes. Their paths hadn’t crossed since the day of the attack. He’s probably frightened to be seen anywhere near me.

  ‘You didn’t startle me, I was lost in thought that’s all.’

  ‘I guess all the gossip since they showed the reconstruction on the TV has bought up some bad memories.’

  ‘Just a few,’ Gwen smiled.

  Sam held out his hand for Blue to sniff then patted his head. ‘Nice dog.’

  ‘Thanks. Sam, I don’t know if the police have told you, but I remember being with you that day. You gave me your coat because it had started to rain.’

  ‘Yes, you were upset about something and didn’t want to go home.’

  ‘Did I tell you what I was upset about?’

  ‘No,’ Sam looked around again. ‘No, you didn’t tell me. I didn’t hurt you or Bethan. You were my friend.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry I can’t remember what happened that day but it’s starting to come back to me now.’

  ‘Good. Perhaps when you do remember everything we can both put the past behind us and move on. Anyway, it was good to see you. Take care.’ Sam turned and walked away.

  Gwen watched him walk away and exit the park through the gate. Her mind was still trying to process what she had remembered about Epworth. Did I go to his house and seduce him? The thought brought on a wave of nausea. I couldn’t have, the very idea of it repulsed me back then, but Beth could be very persuasive. She stood up and rubbed her arms.

  ‘Come on, let’s go home.’

  She tugged on Blue’s lead. I need to call Winter. I don’t think Uncle David had anything to do with the attack on me and Beth.

  Chapter Twenty

  Meadows sat in Lester’s office trying to resist the urge to loosen his tie. A beam of sunlight filtered through the window and cut across his chest making him feel uncomfortably warm. He sat back in his chair as he waited for Lester to finish his phone call.

  ‘Sorry about that.’ Lester placed the phone in its cradle and turned his slate grey eyes on Meadows. ‘It’s now been three weeks since you reopened the case. I was hoping for news of an arrest by this stage.’

  ‘Yes, I’d hoped for the same. We’ve had a good response to the reconstruction and are following up some new leads. I feel that we’re close to a break through.’

  Lester rubbed his chin and sat forward in his chair. ‘What new leads?’

  ‘David Collier, Gwen’s uncle, is coming in tod
ay. There are gaps in his statement and definitely something he is not telling us. I believe Sue Collier, Gwen’s mother, is covering for him. Gwen remembers being chased by her uncle that day. There is also Giles Epworth, headmaster at Dyffryn Du School. He was an English teacher at the time. We received an anonymous call stating that he was with Gwen on the mountain that day. We questioned him and he was very evasive about that day and his memories of the girls. Gwen remembers being in detention with him and Bethan flirting at the time; she also intimated that he had made sexual advances to another girl.’

  ‘This anonymous call, I take it you put out a trace?’

  ‘Yes, the number was traced to a phone box. I’m hoping he will call again. We know that Bethan was pregnant, it would certainly give Epworth a motive if he was the father of the child.’

  ‘What about Gwen?’

  ‘Well, if it was Giles Epworth then it’s likely that Gwen got in the way. I don’t think that both girls were targeted. They just happened to be together that day. It seems more probable that Bethan was the intended victim. She had a reputation for being promiscuous, and there’s the secret lover, the father of her unborn child. Sam Morris was tested sometime later, he wasn’t the father but we’re re-running the tests just to be certain.’

  ‘So you are saying that you can’t find anyone with a motive for attacking Gwen.’

  ‘I still have to rule out the uncle. He was a father figure to Gwen after her father died. There’s always the possibility that he viewed Gwen as more than just a niece.’

  Lester narrowed his eyes. ‘You think he may have been abusing the girls. Surely Gwen would have remembered something like that.’

  ‘Not necessarily, she could have blocked the whole thing out. Her memory is returning in flashbacks. I don’t think it will be long now before she fully recovers her memory.’

  ‘OK, I’m going to trust your instincts on this one. Please do remember that this is a small operation, we don’t have the resources you’re used to. Forensic tests don’t come cheap.’ Lester sat back in his chair and gave Meadows a tight smile. ‘You came here with an impeccable record and I cannot fault your work since you have been with us. I do however still have some concerns with regards to your interaction with the team. Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to socialise with them outside of work from time to time.’