“I can’t do that, you know I can’t.”
“Don’t be ridiculous; just do as I say and nothing can wrong.”
“What exactly are you planning to do?” he asked.
“A kidnapping,” she replied bluntly.
“Who’s your victim?”
“You don’t need to know that yet.”
“If I’m going to be involved I have a right to know who it is,” he persisted.
“You’ll find out later,” she picked up her glass and took a long drink.
Glen leaned forward and looked directly into her eyes.
“Tell me now, or I walk away.”
“Don’t threaten me Glen,” her eyes blazed.
“I mean it Anne; don’t mess with me,” he whispered through tight lips.
“Alright, it’s a kid but that’s all I’m saying.”
“Oh no; I’m not getting involved in this,” Glen slammed his glass down hard on the table and stood up.
“Sit down now and stop drawing attention to yourself,” she grabbed his jacket.
Glen reluctantly obeyed. “I’ll go along with you this time, but afterwards I’m finished. This is the last time, and if anything happens to the kid you’re planning to kidnap, I’ll go to the police myself.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something? I know it was you who planted the bomb under Lawton’s car; who incidentally wasn’t even bloody in there at the time. It’ll only take one phone call to the police and you’ll be joining Toby,” she replied slyly.
“You bitch,” he spoke through gritted teeth.
“Now that I have your full attention, I suggest you listen very carefully to what I have to say.”
Glen knew he was not in a position to argue with her, and leaned back in his seat with his arms folded tightly across his chest adamant that this would be the last time he would agree to her demands. Before he met her, he had a good job working as an electrician and had never been in trouble with the police. He had been taken in by her persuasive manner and yes, he had been attracted to her, but recently she had become too fanatical and his feelings towards her had turned to loathing. Now he responsible for the death of at least three people, and it weighed heavily on his conscience. After this last escapade of hers he was disappearing; he’d already made plans to leave the country and she would never be able to find him. For now, he listened as she outlined the final part of her evil plan.
BACK AT THE LOTUS
Pat and Stanley re-joined Kate and Ben who were engaged in a private conversation, and barely noticed them enter the room. Alex was in the corridor engrossed in conversation on his mobile phone. Kate looked up as they walked past her.
“Alex has suggested going out for something to eat; what do you think?” she asked Pat.
“We won’t get anything here so we may as well,” he agreed.
“What about the police? I thought they were sending another officer over,” Stanley reminded them.
“We can’t stay here indefinitely; I’m sure no one will turn up until the morning anyway,” Pat replied.
Alex returned to the room, his face pale and fraught with anguish.
“You look awful Alex; what’s wrong?” Stanley asked.
After a few minutes silence Alex spoke.
“You asked about Simon earlier; we had a disagreement and he left two weeks ago. I found out yesterday that he’s been involved in an accident. He was riding that damn motorbike and was in a collision with a car on a blind bend.”
Pat felt his heart thud so heavily in his chest he had to sit down immediately. The taste of bile rose from the pit of his stomach into his mouth, as he desperately fought the urge to vomit. Pat’s reaction to Alex’s words was instantly noticed by Stanley, who stared open-mouthed in his direction.
“How is he now?” Kate asked.
“Well, he’ll never walk again, but he’s alive,” Alex was close to tears.
Stanley looked directly at Pat and then towards Alex. He knew the truth; he knew Pat was the driver of the car. Pat attempted to avoid his gaze, but it was accusing and relentless.
“Haven’t you got something to say Patrick?” Stanley asked. “You had plenty to say outside didn’t you?” he goaded him.
“What’s going on Stanley?” Alex looked puzzled.
“Perhaps our journalist friend here could enlighten us. Come on Patrick I thought you liked telling stories?” Stanley continued to provoke him.
Realising he was cornered; Pat had no choice other than to confess.
“I’m really sorry Alex.”
“Will someone tell me what’s going on?” Alex asked.
“Patrick was driving the car that hit Simon,” Stanley delivered the devastating news.
No one spoke; the room was in silence as Alex struggled to take in his friends words.
For the first time in a week, Pat desperately needed a drink; his mouth was dry and his stomach was in knots.
“Look, it was an accident he was speeding; there was no way I could avoid him,” Pat stared at Alex, desperate for forgiveness.
“It would have helped if you had kept your eyes on the road, instead of trying to light a cigarette,” Stanley dug the knife in deeper.
“One cigarette; I hope you bloody enjoyed it. It’s cost Simon the use of his legs,” Alex leapt to his feet, but resisted the temptation to lash out at Pat.
“The police measured the skid marks at the scene of the accident; he was travelling between 90 and 100km an hour I couldn’t avoid him; you have to believe me,” Pat pleaded with Alex.
“There will have been an extensive investigation, and the car subjected to a vigorous inspection Mr. Lawton. If there was the slightest doubt of the vehicle’s condition, it would not have been allowed back on the road. I can look into the details of this accident for you, but the fact that Mr. Hinds was released without any charges being made, proves what he’s saying. Unfortunately we see too many victims of excessive speeding and they’re usually on a mortuary slab. I’m sorry to sound insensitive, but it’s a fact of life Sir,” Inspector Salt spoke out in Pat’s defence.
“You’re forgetting one thing inspector; Hinds admitted to me that he had taken his eyes off the road for several seconds. That has to be driving without due care and attention, and causing an accident,” Stanley continued to argue the point.
“Unfortunately, that's hearsay. We only have your word for that,” Inspector Salt correctly pointed out.
“I know what I heard; why can’t you be a man and admit what you’ve done Hinds?” Stanley raised his voice.
Pat had nothing to say; he was well aware of his culpability, and he was not about to incriminate himself, but in his defence he spoke.
“It was an accident I’ve already told you, he came out of nowhere. Is he a relative?” he added.
“No he’s my long-term partner; I’m gay,” Alex spoke with pride.
“I didn’t know and for what it’s worth, I really am sorry.” No one could doubt Pat’s sincerity, but it did nothing to alleviate the tension building in the room.
“And you seriously think that your apology makes everything alright? You exonerate yourself and clear your wretched conscience, so you can just walk away,” Alex’s expression was horrifying as he breathed deeply through flared nostrils.
Pat sensed Alex’s increasing hostility and backed away as he inched slowly forward.
“I think you had better calm down Sir; you don’t want to do anything you might regret.” Inspector Salt stood up and positioned himself between the two men.
Pat was gripped with fear as Alex’s eyes burned into him. Neither men spoke as they stood a few feet apart. Then Alex suddenly reeled backwards as if he had been awakened from a trance. Steadying himself on the arm of an adjacent chair, he sank wearily into the seat.
“Are you alright?” Stanley asked.
“I don’t know what came over me I’m so sorry,” Alex looked dazed.
“It’s understandable you’ve had a severe shock; but
violence will only make matters worse. It’s still early days and you’re understandably angry, but it’s futile to blame Mr. Hinds for the accident. When these feeling have subsided; and they will, you’ll be able to think more rationally and look to the future. Believe me I’ve had plenty of experience dealing with this type of incident,” Inspector Salt spoke with compassion and understanding.
“I’m not a violent man Inspector, but I feel intense loathing and resentment towards this man. Simon and I had a good life together, we lived a very private life, and he has taken that from us in a moment of thoughtlessness,” Alex glared in Pat’s direction.
Inspector Salt’s mobile was ringing again. He answered and nodded, barely uttering a word.
“Right, I’ll have to leave you to sort out your own problems,” he announced, “Toby Lawrence is now in custody.”
“What’s he being charged with?” Ben asked.
“I can’t say yet, but it looks as though we might finally be making some progress. I’ll let you know when I have all the facts.”
Inspector Salt left without a full explanation whilst Alex continued to verbally abuse Pat.
“Do you really think this going to change anything?” Ben attempted to intervene.
“Keep out of this; it’s your fault that we’re all in this shit,” Alex snarled.
“O.K. I catch your drift; but can you call a truce for now and talk about it later?” Ben held his hands up.
“I’m quite prepared to be civil about this,” Pat agreed.
“I bet you are you bastard,” Alex was furious.
“I’ve had enough of this I’m going out for something to eat. Does anyone want to join me?” Ben interrupted the feuding pair.
“I’ll come with you,” Kate replied eager to be away from the fracas.
“Would you mind if I joined you Ben?” Stanley stood up.
“No, feel free; but I didn’t think you’d want to spend time in my company?”
“Maybe I misjudged you,” he replied meekly.
Kate and Stanley followed Ben out of the room, leaving Alex and Pat alone.
CHAPTER 19.
THREE HOURS LATER
It was now 11.30 on Thursday evening. Ben, Kate and Stanley made their way back to The Lotus Hotel; their mood greatly enhanced by a much needed meal and several bottles of wine. Kate walked closely by her husband’s side while Stanley lagged behind. Ben unexpectedly felt Kate slip her hand into his and paused.
“Am I forgiven; or is it the wine?” he asked tentatively.
“You’re not forgiven by a long way; but we can work on it,” she replied with a hint of a smile.
“I really don’t want to go back to the hotel tonight, I want to go home,” she said as they rounded the corner opposite the hotel.
“Neither do I,” Stanley agreed, “I’m going to get a room elsewhere. Will you tell Alex I’ll call round in the morning before I leave?” he asked Kate.
“Yeah sure.”
“Before you go Stanley, can I just say something?” Ben asked hesitantly.
“I suppose so,” he avoided making eye contact.
“I know you never thought I was good enough for your daughter, but I really did try to make it work with Anne. There were things that you knew nothing about.”
“I know you did, I was just an over-protective father with an image of a perfect little girl, who in my eyes could do nothing wrong. I realise now I was deluded,” Stanley replied quietly, the hostility he had previously shown towards Ben, diminished.
“That must have been very hard for you to say Stanley, thank you.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, goodnight,” he walked away without looking back.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Ben raised his eyebrows.
“I don’t want to talk about it tonight; shall we go in?” Kate replied releasing the hold on Ben’s hand as an uncomfortable sensation gripped her in the pit of her stomach.
“There’s something wrong,” she stared ahead at the open door.
“Stay here,” Ben stepped into the foyer and glanced cautiously up and down the darkened corridor, with Kate following closely behind.
“I’m not staying out here on my own,” she whispered.
“It’s very quiet Ben,” she added.
“I know; it just doesn’t feel right.”
The couple inched their way along the corridor towards the lounge.
“I don’t like this Ben we should call the police. You don’t think Alex’s done anything stupid do you?”
“It depends on what you mean by stupid; but you’re right, it’s far too quiet.”
As they approached the lounge door, there was still no sign of life.
“Stay out here, I’ll take a look inside.”
“Be careful Ben,” she warned.
“Don’t worry nothing’s going to happen.” He pushed open the door and took a step forward into the darkened room. Flicking the light on, he glanced quickly around and then reeled backwards in shock.
“Jesus Christ.”
“What’s wrong Ben; what’s happened?” Kate called out, her voice trembling with fear.
“Call an ambulance quickly, Alex’s injured,” he stared down at the body lying in a pool of blood.
Kate rushed into the room and stared in horror at the scene, afraid that Alex was dead.
“Kate did you hear what I said. Call an ambulance NOW,” he raised his voice in panic.
“I haven’t got my phone,” she replied tearfully.
Ben fumbled around in his pocket and tossed his phone to her.
“Use mine; just do it Kate,” his tone shocked her into action.
Ben turned the injured man onto his back and discovered the source of the blood, which was oozing from a wound in his chest.
“How long will they be Kate, he doesn’t look good.” Ben called over his shoulder as he attempted to stem the flow of blood with a bar towel.
“Not long, I’ll go and wait for them in reception,” she dashed off.
“Tell them to hurry,” Ben held the blood-soaked towel over Alex’s wound as he lay motionless and close to death. It seemed like hours had passed before he heard a siren wailing in the distance. As Ben tucked Alex’s Jacket around his motionless body, an envelope fell from the pocket. Kate was calling and without thinking, he picked it up and slipped it inside his coat pocket just as she entered the room with the paramedics.
“We’ll take over now Sir,” one of them spoke to Ben. More sirens sounded outside the hotel, and minutes later six police officers filed into the room. Kate recognised two of them; one was definitely the young P.C. who had accompanied Inspector Salt on his first visit to the hotel; the other- who was approaching her- she had seen at the station.
“Good evening Mrs. Preston. I’m D.C.I. Gordon Harper from Exeter police. Can you tell me what happened?”
“How did you know my name?” she asked vaguely.
“You told the emergency operator when you called for an ambulance.”
“Oh did I? I don’t remember,” she replied vaguely.
“Did you discover Mr. Lawton?”
“No, it was Ben, my husband.”
“O.K, I’ll go and speak to him; how are you feeling Mrs. Preston?”
“I’m fine, just a bit shocked that’s all,” she smiled weakly.
“Do you want one of the paramedics to take a look at you?” he offered.
“No thanks, I’ll just sit here for a while. She sank down into a chair and watched the scene before her. A team of officers combed the room for evidence as a group of paramedics examined Alex, who was still unconscious. As she watched, he was lifted onto a stretcher and taken to an awaiting ambulance with an array of tubes and monitors attached to his motionless body. D.C.I Harper closed his notebook and joined his team of investigative officers, as Ben took a seat next to Kate.
“What did you tell them?” she asked nervously.
“The truth, and it doesn’t look good for Pat.”
“Where did the gun come from Ben?”
“That’s what that Inspector asked; it must have belonged to Alex.”
“Did you tell them about the argument?” Kate continued to question him.
“I had to,” Ben paused as Inspector Harper approached them.
“You and your wife will have to make a statement Mr. Preston. I don’t expect you to do it now.”
“We’ll come to the station in the morning then,” Ben replied.
“That’s fine,” he paused. “I need you to move to another part of the hotel now; this room is a crime scene. Two of my officers will be on duty at the front of the hotel for the rest of the night; I assume you have accommodation here?” he asked.
“Yes we do; but why do you need to leave your officers’ here?” Ben asked.
“Mr. Hinds is still at large, and it’s likely he’ll return to the hotel.”
“Wouldn’t that be foolish, he’ll know you’re looking for him?” Kate pointed out.
“Maybe, but if he does we’ll be waiting for him. Now I’ll leave you to get some sleep. If you could vacate the room my officers can seal it off.”
“Could you give us a few minutes please?” Ben asked.
“Of course, but do not touch or remove any items from the room,” he warned.
Kate nodded.
“I’ve got a few loose ends to tie up; oh before I forget, do you know what Mr. Hinds and Mr. Lawton were arguing about?” The Inspector asked.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t ask me that. I don’t suppose I can refuse to tell can I?”
“That would be withholding evidence Sir,” he peered over the top of his spectacles.
Ben paused momentarily before he spoke.
“A friend of Alex’s was involved in a car accident. Apparently he was riding a motorbike when he was in collision with a car on a bend. The car driver was unhurt, but the biker was seriously injured, he’s lost the use of his legs. The car driver was Pat Hinds; Alex found out and they started arguing.”
“Right, thank you. Now do you know where Mr. Hinds could be?”
“I’ve got no idea Inspector. If there’s nothing more I’d like to speak to my wife,” Ben replied harbouring feelings of guilt, as he had no way of knowing what had happened after they left the hotel.
HIDDEN SECRETS Page 20
