Naive Retribution

by Dawson, H A

  He did not have the courage to ask her what was wrong, nor why he had entered into their conversation. Not only did he not want to admit to his prying, but more importantly, he did not want to know her problems. His instincts told him something was wrong, very wrong, and he preferred to remain ignorant.

  After the phone conversation earlier in the day, Luke noted that Imogen was definitely more withdrawn. Even when something occurred, allowing him to draw a connection to the incident at the hospital, she remained aloof, and neither made teasing comments nor smiled at his quip. It was unsettling. It was just as if someone had stolen her personality and her sense of humour. She was definitely out of sorts and it had something to do with Mark.

  Luke strained his brain, trying to reason why he had entered into their private conversation. He had not done anything to upset her, and even if he had, she was not the type to keep her concerns private. She would have told him his misdemeanour and that would have been the end of it. It was a curious situation.

  Was her strange behaviour somehow connected to Crystal? It seemed a possibility, since Imogen’s relationship with his girlfriend was as new for her as it was for him. However, what could have happened, given it had evidently upset Mark, was beyond his imagination. As far as Luke was aware, Mark was not connected to Crystal.

  He grabbed his mobile phone and weaved around the desks. Imogen did not remove her gaze from the computer monitor, and appeared entirely disinterested in his movements. He slid into the bathroom and dialled Crystal’s number. She was pleased to hear his voice.

  ‘You might think this is a strange question,’ he said, ‘did you know Mark before you met Imogen?’

  ‘Mark Scaddon? No. Why do you ask?’

  ‘I’m just puzzling over something. Does Imogen seem herself to you?’

  Crystal hesitated. ‘What’s this about?’

  ‘Something’s bothering her. I don’t know if I should get involved or not.’

  ‘I thought you two were close.’

  ‘We are, kind of. But I don’t want to pry. Has she said anything to you?’

  Silence.

  ‘Crystal, do you know something?’

  ‘I’d prefer not to say. I promised her I wouldn’t.’

  ‘Okay, fair enough.’ He paused, thoughtful, ‘should I ask her about it?’

  ‘You could just let her know you’re there for her if she needs you.’

  ‘Should I worry?’

  Her delayed response was unconvincing, causing his anxieties to deepen. He considered challenging her, but was immediately soothed by her soft tones and amorous verbal advances. He was surprised by how it affected him, loosened his tie, opened the window, and inhaled the cooling breeze.

  ‘Have you told Sarah yet?’ she asked.

  Luke gulped.

  ‘Luke you promised.’

  ‘I’ll do it tonight.’

  ‘Make sure you do. I don’t like this sneaking around. It’s not right.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry. I just haven’t had the right moment.’

  ‘Thanks babe,’ she said. ‘I have to go. Love you.’

  ‘You too.’

  The dreamy look stayed with him as he entered the office. Imogen did not comment, and was readying herself for their trip out. They were scheduled for a two-thirty departure, twenty minutes hence, and they were set to question Joe and Dawn Dobbs. Given what he suspected, it was going to be an intriguing afternoon.

  Luke knocked three times on the door. There were strained voices and banging sounds, and he assumed it was an exchange was between Dawn and Dylan. She was telling him to tidy up his appearance, and criticising his scuffed shoes, ragged hair, and taped glasses. It sounded a little harsh, and it reminded him of what Jade had told them.

  ‘I wonder why they keep having a go at him,’ Imogen said.

  ‘We’re not here to judge.’

  ‘Poor lad can’t seem to do anything right.’

  ‘Boys of that age can be a bit scruffy.’

  ‘Either that or they spend more time preening than the girls. There’s no half way.’

  ‘No, you’re right there.’

  Luke lifted his hand to the doorway, about to knock again, when it swung open. It was Joe and a stern look was settled in his face.

  ‘Can we come in, we have a few more questions to ask?’ Luke said.

  ‘I’ve nothing else to say.’

  ‘It won’t take long.’

  He held his hand on the door. ‘Like I said, I’ve nothing else to say.’

  Dawn stormed towards them and glared at Luke. ‘We’ve nothing to say.’

  ‘Please Mrs Dobbs, it won’t take long. It’s about Jade Horton. I understand you were good friends once upon a time.’

  ‘That’s a long time ago.’

  ‘We heard she lost her baby, Joe’s baby.’

  Dawn stared, holding an impassive expression. At her rear, Joe gathered the dirty cups and plates from the table. They slipped from his hands and crashed to the floor. Dawn spun around and their eyes locked.

  Joe hurried across the room to a cupboard, and whilst extracting a brush and dustpan, knocked over a bottle. Then he banged the dustpan into the door, trapped his finger and yelped. Dawn passed him a stern gaze. ‘Get a grip,’ she hissed.

  The clearing up progressed, allowing Luke and Imogen to slip into the house. Whilst little was being said between Joe and Dawn, Luke believed that the silence was not without value. Imogen also noticed the strange glances, and she gave him enquiring look.

  ‘You go,’ Joe said to Dawn, ‘I’ll deal with this.’

  For a moment, she held her position, and stood, arms folded and legs apart in a blocky posture. She was a tall woman with a large midriff and she would have been able to hide a pregnancy well. Jade was right.

  Joe mouthed something indecipherable to Dawn. She turned to leave.

  ‘Oh,’ Dawn said, stopping in her tracks. ‘I found your phone.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘By the television you useless cretin. I knew you hadn’t looked properly.’

  Joe passed Luke a cursory glance and hurried out of the room. Once out of view, a hushed dispute started. Curious, Luke crept to the doorway and peered into the lounge. Joe and Dawn were inches apart, talking in strained voices, and both had a fearful look in their eyes. Dawn told Joe she wanted them to leave; Joe disagreed.

  Joe made a move to leave the room, causing Luke to leap backwards. He prayed he hadn’t been spotted, and ran on tiptoes back to the kitchen with his blood rushing to his skin. He kept his back to the entrance of the hallway, giving himself a valuable few seconds to relax, then peered out of his eye corner. Joe was walking towards them and checking his messages on his phone. He showed no concern and slipped it into his pocket.

  ‘What’s this about?’ Joe asked.

  ‘There are a few things that still bother me, including Jade pregnancy. How did you feel knowing she was pregnant with your child?’

  ‘It wasn’t planned or anything. We were just out for a bit of fun.’

  ‘Then I should imagine it came as quite a surprise.’

  Joe shrugged.

  ‘What were your plans?’

  ‘I was going to support her. We were good friends.’

  ‘But you were seeing Dawn at the time.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘How did Jade feel about that?’

  ‘She knew what was going on. I never lied to her.’

  ‘Is that right?’ Luke said, ‘interesting.’

  Joe hurried to the sink, grabbed a glass from a nearby cupboard, and filled it with cooling water. He raised the glass to his lips, but given the angle of the glass and the fact he didn’t appear to swallow very much, Luke reasoned he was biding his time.

  ‘Why did the baby die?’ Luke asked.

  ‘I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. Maybe it was the drugs or the drink. She didn’t look after herself particularly well.’

  ‘Was she keeping her hospital appointments?’
/>
  ‘I don’t know. She didn’t talk about stuff like that.’

  ‘Mr Dobbs, I can tell you’re a decent man, and given the fact you are a teacher, you must love kids. I can’t believe you wouldn’t have taken more of an interest in Jade’s unborn child.’

  ‘I was interested.’ He stuffed his hands under his armpits. ‘But we weren’t that close. She did her own thing.’

  ‘You were close enough to live together.’

  ‘She had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t kick her out.’

  ‘Okay, I get it, so she was a lodger. You were in a relationship with Dawn, and your pregnant ex lived in the spare room. That’s cosy.’

  Joe held a stern expression.

  ‘The three of you must have gotten on very well.’

  ‘We did.’

  ‘And how did Dawn feel about Jade’s pregnancy?’

  ‘She was okay about it.’

  ‘Okay?’

  ‘Yes, okay. It didn’t bother her.’

  ‘Interesting.’ Luke scribbled in his notepad. ‘Wasn’t she a little jealous?’

  ‘Why would she be jealous?’

  ‘Because she wanted a baby of her own.’

  ‘That’s no reason to be jealous.’

  ‘It is when you’re infertile.’

  Globules of perspiration formed on Joe’s forehead. He released his hand from his armpit and wiped them free. It quivered and his skin was moist.

  Luke’s gaze penetrated, relentless.

  ‘She wasn’t infertile,’ Joe said, ‘how could she be? We had Dylan.’

  ‘Yes, Dylan.’

  Joe hurried to the lounge, glimpsing up the stairs before speaking in a hushed voice to Dawn. ‘Get the photo of when you were pregnant with Dylan.’

  Within seconds, Dawn appeared. It all happened a little too quickly for Luke’s liking and he scrutinised the photo with scepticism. All the time, she maintained her fierce, disapproving face.

  ‘Happy now,’ she said.

  ‘Thank you,’ he replied.

  She shuffled away, slamming to the door as she departed. All the time, Joe remained in a fixed posture. His eyes were fixated on the tablemat, his arms folded, and his shoulders hunched.

  ‘When did she get pregnant, in relation to Jade?’ Luke asked.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Joe stood up. ‘I feel like I’m been accused of something. I haven’t done anything wrong.’

  ‘I find it strange that you can’t remember the dates.’

  ‘I’m a bloke, or has that passed you by? I don’t remember stuff like that.’

  ‘How did you feel when Jade lost the baby?’

  ‘How do you expect me to feel?’

  ‘Pleased maybe.’

  ‘Why would I be pleased?’

  ‘You tell me.’

  ‘I’ve had enough of your riddles.’ Joe strode to the outer door. ‘Get out.’

  ‘Just one more question. How did Dawn feel about Jade’s loss?’

  ‘She was devastated for Jade. We both were. She was our friend.’

  Luke nodded, feigning his approval, and placed his belongings into his bag and thanked Joe for his time. ‘Can I use your bathroom?’

  Joe’s expression showed his reluctance, but Luke was not about to give him an opt-out, and headed into the hallway without waiting for an answer. By the time he had reached the bottom of the staircase, Imogen had engaged him in conversation, chatting about the beauty of childbirth. Her manner was bright and bubbly, a huge difference from earlier in the day, and he praised her professionalism.

  Luke climbed the stairs, creeping to make as little sound as possible. The bathroom was the first of the rooms, with the sink visible from the landing. Treading so as not to cause any disturbances, he peered into the first of the bedrooms. Inside was a double bed. It was the master bedroom. He stepped towards the next room.

  There was a shuffling sound coming within. His pulse raced. He peered through the crack between the door hinges, and glanced at Dylan. He seemed pleased with something, and smirked as he sifted through an assortment of newspaper cuttings. Yearning to see more, Luke crept forward for a better look. The floorboard creaked.

  Dylan twisted to watch the door. Luke pulled back just in time to avoid being seen. His heart was pounding so loud he feared he would be heard. He considered returning downstairs, yet he was driven by curiosity. Having checked that Imogen was keeping Joe occupied, he looked back into the room.

  Dylan placed the newspaper cuttings in a drawer, pushed it shut and turned the key. The key was placed into a bag, which he placed over his shoulder. Then he picked up his smartphone from the desk and strode to the door. Luke leapt back, out of view, and hid behind the door of the next room.

  He descended the stairs.

  Luke had to act quickly. He shot into Dylan’s room, pulled on the drawer handle, even though he had just witnessed it been locked, and scanned the desk, walls and bed. There were posters of motorcycles, glamorous girls, and numerous magazines, but nothing he wouldn’t have expected. He hurried into the master bedroom, stepping quietly.

  He opened the wardrobe and checked the drawers, whilst keeping his ears alert for sound. Grateful that Imogen was keeping the conversation going, he opened another drawer. This one contained jumpers and there was a magazine at the bottom. He pulled it out. A few photos fluttered free, falling to the carpet.

  They were all of Jade, and they seemed to have been taken years previous. He plucked one free, but then was drawn to one lower in the pile. Deciding it was worth borrowing, he placed it down his pants, put the rest where he had found them, and crept out of the room.

  He flushed the toilet and descended the stairs.

  Imogen smiled at him.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ he said, ‘I had a curry last night.’

  Having thanked Joe for his time, he grabbed his bag and left.

  They strode away, heading to the car. His gaze locked with Imogen’s. There was a twinkle in his eye.

  ‘Go on . . . spill,’ she said.

  He resisted responding until they were in the safety of the car. ‘Dylan has a drawer full of newspaper cuttings. He locked it so I didn’t get to see what they were. They might not be important.’

  ‘Jade?’

  ‘Hard to tell. He grabbed his phone when he left, so I couldn’t check that either.’

  ‘What type of phone was it?’

  ‘A smartphone. Why?’

  ‘He had a cheap phone the other day. I saw it in the park.’

  ‘Really?’

  She nodded her head and raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Maybe he’s just upgraded. Anyway, when he went downstairs, I looked in Joe and Dawn’s room. I found this.’ He pulled free the photo still trapped beneath his belt and passed it across.

  ‘This is like the one the stalker sent to Jade,’ Imogen said.

  ‘Except she’s with a tramp.’

  ‘Does that mean Joe is the stalker?’

  ‘Could be.’

  ‘I wonder who this bloke is?’ she asked, looking to the photo.

  ‘It can’t be that hard to find out.’

  Imogen reached for her manicure set in her bag. ‘This is so cool.’ She removed the grit from underneath her nail and started to file. ‘I wonder if it’s Hazza. It would make sense, since Joe was speaking to him the day after she was out all night. We have to talk to him, Luke. He might know something. Shall we do it tomorrow?’

  ‘Or tonight, that’s if you fancy a bit of overtime?’

  A worried look creased her face. ‘Tomorrow might be best.’

  ‘I’m glad you’ve perked up.’

  Imogen studied him for a moment, thoughtful, and her eyes filled with tears. ‘I love this job.’

  Embarrassed by her visible pleasure, he turned away.

  Chapter 32

  Jade’s discovery that Dylan was Joe and Dawn’s son created an everlasting feeling of desolation. If she had taken more care of herself, she could have been the mother with the su
rviving baby, and more than likely, she and Joe would have been partners. It was a devastating realisation.

  She selected a DVD of special moments of Kelsey from the cabinet and placed it into the recorder. Then she sank into the sofa, raised her feet onto a stool, and pressed a cushion against her abdomen. The memories surged and her skin tingled. Her baby girl was asleep in her arms, her skin a healthy pink and her eyes relaxed shut. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and her heart bled with a yearning to grab hold.

  The images continued. Kelsey was crawling, laughing and scrunching her face in preparation for a bellowing. They were such precious moments, yet they had passed her by in flash. Had she ever really appreciated them? It felt like she hadn’t, and with the pressure building, she pressed against the cushion and squeezed free her welling tears.

  She had nothing to recall with her first born, no images, no sounds of discomfort, and no inquisitive glances. He had been snatched from her, taken into another room where she had been forced to listen to the hushed whispers. No one had needed to tell her everything had gone horribly wrong. It had been a mother’s instinct.

  Jade’s agony had been extreme, and logic and lucidity abandoned. Running from the smothering presence of her companions, she sought freedom. Their sympathetic glances and whisperings were more than she could tolerate, and she wanted to be gone. Her life had been shattered, ruined forever.

  What about Joe? How had be coped? Given what she now knew, she believed his heartache would have been short lived, if in fact he had suffered at all. Whilst she was trailing the streets in tormented agony, he was preparing for the birth of his second child. And Dylan had lived. It was wrong to ask why she had lost her baby, when Dawn hadn’t, yet still the question dominated her mind. Dawn had not acted differently to her. She too had drunk to excess, taken drugs, and taken no care of her diet. So, what was the difference and how was it fair?

  Joe should have told her of his good fortune. The fact he hadn’t felt like betrayal, even though she knew it was none of her business. She had known of their relationship, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear of the outcome. Yet it hurt, it hurt like hell. Joe had a sixteen-year-old son and she hadn’t. Dismayed, she shook her head.