Faraway Eyes_A fast-paced romantic murder mystery

by Evelyn Harrison

  “For god’s sake Sam, this isn’t the time for watching TV!”

  Gesturing towards the door, Sam put her finger to her lips and said, “Shh, I want it to drown out our conversation, there is probably someone on guard outside, do you understand?” Kate nodded. “I was taught as a policewoman to always be prepared for unlikely situations.”

  Kate watched with astonishment as Sam unzipped a concealed pocket in her jacket and pulled out an old phone, it looked like something from the dark ages, but it was a phone.

  “How did you manage to get away with them not finding it when they searched us?”

  “Fortunately, those goons weren’t that thorough.”

  “Thank goodness. Oh Sam, I felt defiled when they touched us, I’ve never been so scared. I mean, you don’t think …? You hear of terrible things happening to women in captivity …”

  Sam put her arm around her. “Please try and keep calm for both our sakes, we’re in this together, right?”

  “I am trying. Now I know you’ve got a phone, we’ve at least got a chance to get out of here, call the police, now!”

  “Think about it Kate, if I dial 111, New Zealand’s emergency number, I’ll get the local police, who I’m guessing are under the control of Jim Baxter. You heard what that gorilla said – he‘s the law around here. I don’t want to take that risk, it might make our situation worse.”

  “Call home, then?”

  “What can our families do, they’ll just be out of their minds with worry and anyway,” Sam looked at her watch, “it’s the middle of the night in the UK.”

  “So, we do nothing?”

  Sam reached into another pocket of her jacket and took out the little pink card with the taxi’s telephone number.

  “I’m going into the bathroom to call Hemi, and ask her for the direct telephone number of the police in Christchurch, OK?”

  Stepping into the bathroom, Sam locked the door and turned on the bath taps, prior to punching in the number.

  “Hemi, hi, my name’s Samantha Adams from England, you gave me and my friend a lift from the airport last Wednesday?”

  “Oh yes, I remember. Are you enjoying your holiday?”

  “Actually, we’re in a bit of bother. We’re in a town called Jacob’s Rest and I need to contact the police in Christchurch, can you give me the number?”

  “You can dial 111 for the police.”

  “I know, but I want to phone the police in Christchurch directly.” Sam waited patiently for Hemi to find the number and when she did she immediately tapped it in.

  The phone rang for a few minutes before someone on the switchboard answered. After being redirected several times, eventually she managed to speak to a senior officer, Inspector Ralston.

  “So, let me get this straight, Mrs. Adams. You feel you can’t phone the local police from where you are staying, and you don’t want me to either, because it might put you in danger. You and your friend are over here searching for an Englishman called Daniel Brennan. You’re being held against your will in Jacob’s Rest, in a house called Oaklands, and your friend, who is a medium, has told you there is a body down a cesspit, in the grounds of an old farmhouse. Is all that correct?”

  “Yes, Inspector, I know the last bit sounds a bit bizarre, but believe me, Kate is genuine.”

  “To be honest, Mrs. Adams, it all sounds a bit bizarre.”

  “Look, I’m an ex-detective, if you want to verify my credentials then please phone the UK, I’ll give you the number. If you talk to my previous employer, Superintendent West at Dunwell Police Station, he’ll verify who I am … Mind you, he doesn’t actually know we’re over here, but he’s only got to phone my mother.”

  “I see,” Sam could almost hear him sigh at the other end of the phone, “I will ring this Superintendent West, of course, there will certainly be a delay in contacting him because of the time difference, but I’ll give it a try, and get back to you.”

  “Great, I haven’t got much battery left though.”

  “OK, I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll make my inquiries and if I’m satisfied with what I find out then I’ll send a car to Jacob’s Rest. You do understand, I’m sure that I have to be certain about what your telling me, after all, I can’t have my men chasing off for hundreds of miles on the back of a phone call, can I? If it all checks out then someone should be with you sometime tomorrow…”

  “Well,” said Kate, as soon as Sam re-emerged from the bathroom, “is someone coming to rescue us?”

  “Yes, of course they are, but it won’t be until tomorrow, so we’ll just have to sit tight.”

  Sam wasn’t going to stress her even more by telling her there was a possibility that no one was coming to help them. It made her sick to think it, but if these men were as ruthless as the town’s people had led them to believe, then they could be joining that body in the cesspit.

  The sound of the key being turned in the lock halted their conversation. The door opened and the young man, minus his baseball cap, entered carrying a tray full of food and drink.

  “Can’t have you starving to death before Big Jim gets here,” he said, placing the tray on a table.

  “Thanks,” said Sam, “when do you expect him?”

  “First thing tomorrow. I’ve talked to him, and he’s very keen to meet you.”

  Chapter 23 – A Difficult Encounter

  New Zealand, Monday 29th May

  Although sleeping was the last thing on Sam and Kate’s minds, they did manage to drift off for a couple of hours, until they were awoken by a commotion outside. Sitting up in bed their eyes focused on the door, which was suddenly flung open.

  “Breakfast, you wouldn’t get this in jail,” smirked the young man, as soon as he entered their room. “Eggs, toast and fruit juice. Big Jim’s on his way, he should be here within the hour.”

  Kate eased herself down from the bed and took the tray. “Then will we be allowed to go?” she asked.

  “That’s out of my hands now,” he said, turning to leave.

  Seeing the door close again, Sam jumped up. “I’m going to have a bath. Not looking forward to putting my dirty clothes back on, but needs must.”

  “When do you think the police will get here?”

  “I’ve no idea, soon, I hope. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

  Sam took herself into the bathroom and closed the door. Would they be fine? Honestly, she had no way of telling. She checked herself in the mirror. What would happen to their children if they didn’t survive this, they would grow up thinking their mothers abandoned them, and for what? To search for a man they didn’t know, who obviously didn’t want to be found, simply because she couldn’t face seeing Alex getting married. How selfish was she to have dragged her friend along with her on her desperate quest to get away?

  An hour later they were both ready to face Jim Baxter. When the door eventually opened again the two thugs from the previous day filed in, grabbed hold of their arms, and without a word, led them back along the corridor. Double doors opened into a large room, dominated by an enormous stone fireplace. Stoking the burning embers, was a tall, broad-shouldered man with long grey hair pulled back into a ponytail. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and jeans, and on his feet were a pair of blue flip-flops. They stood waiting to face their captor, for what seemed an eternity, before he finally straightened up and turned to look at them.

  “Ah, ladies, we meet at last. I hope my men have been looking after you?” This was not quite the greeting they were expecting and for some reason it made them feel even more apprehensive. “Please, take a seat.”

  They lowered themselves onto a black leather settee and the man, who they assumed was Jim Baxter, sat down on a swivel chair behind a mahogany desk. With his hands behind his head he leaned back, and scrutinised them for several seconds before continuing.

  “We’ve not been formally introduced. My name’s Jim Baxter, and you are?”

  “I’m Sam Adams, and this is my friend, Kate
Robinson, and quite honestly Mr. Baxter, we’re upset we’re even here at all,” pointed out Sam.

  Seemingly ignoring Sam’s comment, Jim Baxter reached forward and picked up the phone on his desk.

  “Send Cooper into me now! I don’t care what he’s doing send him to me now! Would you ladies like a drink? Coffee?”

  “Yes, thank you, coffees’ fine,” replied Sam.

  “Three coffees, you can tell the idiot he can bring them in.” He slammed down the phone. “So, ladies, I understand you’ve met Cooper?”

  “If you mean the young man who brought us here against our will, then yes,” answered Sam.

  Rocking back in his chair he clasped his hands. “I’m sorry if you feel you’ve been treated badly. Cooper’s young, he only wants to impress me. I’m sure you can understand …” He stopped mid-sentence when the door opened and Cooper entered carrying a tray of coffees. “Cooper, my boy, hand them around, then come and stand next to me, I want to ask you some questions.” Cooper did as he’d been instructed and took his place beside his employer. “So, tell me, Cooper, why are these ladies staying with us?”

  In the presence of Jim Baxter, Cooper wasn’t coming across as the confident young man brandishing a shotgun, they had encountered the day before. It would be true to say, he appeared to be falling apart in front of their eyes.

  “Big Jim,” Cooper began, swaying nervously from side to side. “I found them up at the old farm house. I told them they shouldn’t have been there.”

  “I’m sure you did son, I’m sure you did your best.” Jim Baxter swivelled round and fixed his eyes on Sam and Kate. “Oh dear, trespassing on my land were you, ladies?”

  They knew full well this news had not been a surprise to him. It was pretty obvious he was playing mind games.

  “We told Cooper we were there because we were interested in the town’s history, we meant no harm,” said Sam.

  He turned immediately back to Cooper.

  “Did you hear that Cooper? ‘They meant no harm’. Did you check the area my boy, to make sure they didn’t do any harm?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Sorry, did you say ‘no’? Think, boy,” he said. Rising to his feet, his large frame now towered over the trembling youth. “You find two people trespassing on my land, and you don’t check they’ve not done any damage? Go back out there and look around, take someone with you. Make a thorough job of it this time. Go on, go now! I’m sure these ladies feel they’ve been inconvenienced long enough and want to get on with whatever they’re here for.” His eyes returned to Sam and Kate. “Holiday, is it?”

  “Yes, holiday,” replied Kate without any hesitation.

  Cooper dashed out of the room and simultaneously the women reached over and picked up their mugs of coffee, realising at once, there was no doubt the young man would notice they had moved the cart. Damn. What will Jim Baxter do, they thought, when he finds out? What reason could they give for moving it? They certainly couldn’t say they believed there was a body under the ground.

  “You might as well get comfortable ladies, no doubt they’ll be some time.”

  Taking this as a cue to look around, Kate stood up, and walked over to the display cabinet, standing hard against the far wall. Picking up one of the silver photo frames she studied it closely. Sam couldn’t help but notice that Kate’s hand was shaking slightly.

  “Is this a picture of you and your wife?”

  Jim Baxter frowned and nodded. “Yes, it was taken many years ago, she was the light of my life … until she walked out on me and the children. I only keep the picture on display for them.”

  “I’m sorry. I bet she found this room a bit austere?”

  “Why would you say that?” he probed, moving towards her.

  “It’s just a feeling, I get them sometimes about people and places,” she replied pursing her lips.

  Sam realised Kate was giving her a signal that she had sensed something about Jim Baxter’s wife, she couldn’t wait to find out what it was.

  “Actually, you’re right, Margie hated this room, she thought it too masculine.”

  Removing the photo frame from Kate’s grasp, he returned it to the shelf, before noticeably changing the subject.

  “Is this your first visit to New Zealand?”

  “Yes, for both of us. It’s a very beautiful country,” she said, re-joining Sam on the settee.

  “Thank you, I love it. My great-grandfather built the farmhouse you saw, when he settled here many years ago, so I’m particularly protective of that whole area. Are you passing through Jacob’s Rest, by the way, or are you staying here?”

  Sam sat forward; her heart was pounding hard in her chest. At the moment, Jim Baxter was being very personable, would she be rocking the boat if she brought up the subject of Daniel? There again, she might not get another opportunity if she didn’t.

  “We’re staying here for a few days.” She glanced over at Kate who nodded. “Actually, we’re looking for someone and we’ve been wanting to talk to you, because we think you might be able to help us.”

  Jim Baxter walked over to the fire, threw on another log and stared into the yellow and red flames with his back towards them.

  “Interesting. Who are you looking for?”

  “An Englishman called Daniel Brennan, he was a friend of your daughter’s.”

  He spun round. “You know my Nancy?”

  “No, we don’t know her, we’re here on behalf of Daniel’s family. They’ve asked us to find him. We thought he might still be living in Jacob’s Rest, but he seems to have moved on. Have you any idea where he’s living now?”

  Jim Baxter threw on two more logs, the fire crackled and spat in response.

  “I do remember Daniel Brennan, but I’ve not seen or heard from him for almost ten years. So sorry I can’t help you.”

  Would Nancy know?” asked Sam.

  “Would Nancy know what?”

  Their heads turned on hearing the unexpected voice of another female. Standing in the doorway, her blond hair cut to shoulder length, stood the notorious Nancy Baxter.

  “Not interrupting anything, am I, Dad?”

  “No, of course not, my darling.”

  Nancy, clothed in skin-tight jeans and a boob tube, made her way towards her father, threw her arms around him and kissed him firmly on the lips. Kate and Sam found it an uncomfortable encounter to watch. Stroking her father’s face, she posed.

  “Were you in the middle of a meeting? Only I came to tell you, Cook is asking what you would like for lunch.” She turned to face their visitors. “Will you ladies be joining us?”

  Jim Baxter answered for both of them. “I should think the ladies will be on their way very soon. Isn’t that right?”

  “Hopefully,” said Sam, getting to her feet. “Actually, it’s very nice to meet you, Nancy.”

  Sam held her hand out to shake Nancy’s who immediately reciprocated. She noticed the smile had dropped from Jim Baxter’s face, presumably he was anticipating where the conversation was leading.

  “My name’s Sam, and this is Kate …”

  “Nice to meet you. I must say, I’m impressed you know my name. Has dad been talking about me again?” She leaned in and gave her father another full-on kiss. Finally extricating herself from him, she enthused, “You sound English, I went to uni in England …”

  “Yes, we know, actually we’re here looking for an acquaintance of yours, Daniel Brennan. I don’t suppose you have any idea where he’s living?”

  An expression of disbelief washed over Nancy, as she comprehended what she was being asked. “Oh, that’s where I came in on your conversation, ‘would Nancy know’. You should have warned me dad!” A look of annoyance appeared on her face as she stepped away from her father. “I haven’t seen Danny for years, he’s out of my life. I’m happily married now – at least I’m married, to a bloody workaholic. Danny is all forgotten, isn’t he Dad? Anyway, you’ve told me your names, but who exactly are you, and why are you as
king about Danny?”

  Sam could feel the hostility oozing from her. “We’re friends of his family and they’ve asked us to find him … so you’ve not had any contact with him since he moved to Christchurch?”

  Nancy’s eyes looked wildly at her father. “Did you tell them Danny had moved to Christchurch?”

  “No, darling, they didn’t get it from me. They must have been talking to someone in the town.”

  With her whole body shaking with rage, Nancy directed her gaze towards Sam and Kate.

  “Have you? Have you been talking to someone in the town? Who was it? Tell me!” she screamed.

  “I didn’t know their name,” Sam lied. Under the circumstances, she certainly wasn’t going to mention Lorraine, or anyone else they’d spoken to. “Does it matter?”

  Nancy glared at them, and then disconcertingly, her mood changed again, as she trod lightly alongside the width of the desk, gliding her finger over the wood as if in a dream – it was quite bizarre.

  With her speech now softened, she said, “I suppose not. None of it matters anymore. Danny is out of my life, end of story. It’s as if he never existed … anyway Dad, I’d better go and tell Cook you’re not fussed about lunch. All this stress over Danny has brought on one of my heads; I’m going to take myself off to bed. Don’t forget you’re flying me home this evening.”

  “I haven’t forgotten, darling. Why don’t you take one of your tablets? It will help you to sleep more peacefully.”

  Minutes after she had left the room, Cooper arrived back. Striding over to Jim Baxter he whispered in his ear so that neither Sam nor Kate were privy to what he was saying – they could only hazard a guess that it wasn’t to their advantage.

  “Thanks son, good job,” he said, patting Cooper on the back. He turned and glowered at Sam and Kate, his voice loud and unforgiving. “Ladies, tell me, why the hell would you have moved my great-grandfather’s wooden cart?”

  Chapter 24 – No Way Out

  Monsters come in many guises. The fact is, you may be unaware you’re in the presence of a monster until it’s too late. Sam and Kate were led to believe right from the beginning that both Jim and Nancy, and perhaps even other members of the Baxter family, were evil, and to what degree they would soon be finding out.