The Green Room

by Faith Mortimer

  At any other time I would have laughed. The whole thing was comical. Michael was acting like a jealous ex-lover, and I just knew it was a show. He didn’t love me, never had. I moved my arm away.

  “Sweet pea, I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “I’m not your sweet pea, and I am capable of taking care of myself,” I hissed back, stung by his words. He seemed to want to control me. “What do you really mean? That I’m getting involved in a relationship which isn’t viable, or are you implying something else?”

  Michael studied me before replying ominously. “Something else, I’m afraid. Oh, something much more dangerous.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight - Ella

  “Michael, I’ve no idea what you mean, and you never answered my question about my mother. Stop playing games. What exactly did she say to you? I can’t believe she said any of that. When she first met Tim, she really liked him. I can’t understand why she’d feel I was in danger.” But as these questions left my lips I also thought that if what Michael was saying was true, it explained my mother’s parting words to me that afternoon.

  “I think I need another drink. Can I get you one?” Michael stood up with his empty glass and reached for mine. My initial impulse was to say no, and then I changed my mind. What the hell! If Michael was intent on giving me a hard time, I may as well enjoy a drink and be done with it. “Please, same again.”

  I fiddled with the fringe on my scarf while I waited, twirling it round my finger until it was tight enough to constrict my blood. A table became vacant by the side of me, and I watched the two couples leave. I didn’t recognise anyone in the place, and yet I was born and raised in Guildford. The world was constantly changing: people coming and going. I ran a hand through my hair. After half an hour in Michael’s company, I felt like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards.

  Michael returned and set the refreshed glasses down. He dragged out his chair, cast a glance round and then plonked himself down.

  “You were going to tell me about Mum,” I prompted.

  “Yeah. Right.” He took a swig, swallowed and wiped the froth from his upper lip. “First of all, please remember I’m only the messenger, as it were.” He shifted in his chair before continuing. “As I said earlier, your mother rang me. I didn’t even know she knew my mobile number. She must have got it off you at some time. She and Mr Mallory have been talking things over and have come to the conclusion Tim Coleman is definitely the Surrey Punisher.

  “No.” He held up a restraining hand as I gawked and then gasped in astonishment. I knew everyone joked about their aging parents’ sanity in passing for a bit of fun, but this was serious. What conclusion? A few late nights out and a locked cupboard? “Hear me out. It’s not as farcical as it sounds. Coleman is still very much a stranger. It’s not unreasonable for either of them to be afraid for their one and only daughter, is it? I know they’ve probably wound each other up—old folks do that sort of thing, don’t they? She told me that at first they thought they’d try and prevent you from spending more time alone with Coleman and then realised it wasn’t feasible. You’re an adult, and it just isn’t done these days. We’re not living in the last century, and you wouldn’t have gone along with it in any case, as you’re far too independent.”

  “Too bloody right I wouldn’t. Michael, this is preposterous. She must be going prematurely senile. Surely you can see that?” I slumped down in my chair. The idea was too depressing. Mum was only just in her sixties, still relatively young.

  “Yes and no. You know my personal thoughts on him.”

  “But…but you’ve nothing to go on. For god’s sake, you’re as bad as they are.” I sighed, remembering Teresa’s words. “Michael, I don’t know how to put this…but you’re not, er, you’re not just saying this because you’re jealous or something? I mean, we’re not a couple anymore, and I’ve been out with Tim a few times. Nothing serious…” I added the last two words in case he misconstrued everything, though heavens know why I was so bloody concerned. He had caused me enough agro and my relationships were my own business.

  He threw back his head and laughed. “Bloody hell, Ella! Don’t be daft. That has nothing to do with it. I like you…care for you, but personally, I couldn’t care less who you go out with.”

  At any other time I would have laughed at his throwaway flippant reply, but I considered things were getting out of control. “Oh, that’s okay then. And you don’t suspect or have anything on Tim? So there’s no problem, is there?”

  Michael widened his eyes in surprise. “No. Of course not. Yes, he’s a stranger in town, and as long as you know what you’re doing, there shouldn’t be a problem. As I’ve said before, what I think about the man is my own personal business.”

  I shook my head and stared over Michael’s shoulder. I felt thoroughly confused and wondered if he was being deliberately obtuse. Earlier, I was convinced Michael thought Tim dangerous to be around. This was just crazy. I decided to finish my wine as soon as possible and get the hell home. Michael could play his stupid games with someone else.

  “So where is he tonight? Cavorting around Surrey doing his research?” He turned the last word into a contemptuous sneer.

  I turned back to stare at him. “Who?” I asked, knowing exactly who he meant.

  “Coleman.”

  “He has an appointment in London. He told me.”

  “Right, and you weren’t invited?”

  “No, why would I be? And before you ask, I’ve no idea what the appointment was about.”

  “Will he be back tonight?”

  I frowned. “Yes, I imagine so, but it’ll be late as he left just before eight. I’m not his keeper and before you ask, I don’t anticipate seeing him tonight, if that’s what you mean. I thought you just said you didn’t think Tim was a suspect. Michael, you aren’t making any sense—”

  My phone rang at that moment, and as I pulled it from my handbag, I saw the caller was Teresa. “Hi, Teresa. How are you?”

  Michael rolled his eyes, stood up and indicated he was going to the gent’s at the back. I nodded at him as he walked away and switched my attention back to Teresa. “Teresa, are you at home?” I whispered.

  “Yeah, why? What’s up?”

  “Can I pop round? I know it’s getting late, only I’m with Michael in the wine bar, and I want to leave. It’ll give me a good excuse. I don’t want him following me home or anything.”

  Teresa chuckled. “Like that is it? Yes, call round, I’m in my jimmy jams…I’ve just had a bath, but that’s okay. I’ll put the kettle on.”

  “Great, thanks. See you in ten minutes.”

  As Michael strolled back to our table, I smiled and grabbing my bag, stood up. “Sorry, but I have to go, Teresa needs to see me. Catch you later. Thanks for the wine.” And before he could answer, I hurried towards the door.

  I felt his eyes boring into my back, and not for the first time that evening, I wondered what his game was.

  ***

  Teresa lay sprawled on the sofa in her living room, while I sat on the floor, my back against an armchair. Her husband was out with some friends in town, and her two sons were tucked up in bed.

  “Thanks for this. I won’t stay long, but coming here has given me breathing space. Michael was getting on my nerves, and I knew I’d have ended up saying something I’d regret later.”

  “No problem…this is nice,” she said, wrapping her hands around her mug of hot chocolate. “Just you and me, no men, no kids. It’s like the old days.” She grinned. “Not that I’d be without the little devils—all three of them!”

  I smiled. Her husband, Josh, wasn’t exactly small and neither were her two teenage sons. I blew on my drink, took a sip and sighed.

  “As bad as that?”

  “Yes…no, I don’t know.” I then spent the next few minutes going over my evening with Michael, but omitted to tell her anything Michael had told me earlier. I hadn’t asked Michael to give me details. I’d heard enough through his veiled i
nnuendo, and my imagination was working overtime, anyway.

  “He’s an arse. I think he just does it to wind you up, and like an idiot you fall for it. Take it from me, he’s still piqued you chucked him.” She shook her head at me and gave me a quirky smile. “For someone who’s basically intelligent, you’re hopeless around men.”

  “Thanks a lot.” I sighed and rested my chin on my knees. “Unfortunately, I know you’re right. That’s probably why you’re happily married and I’m still single.”

  “Don’t worry, pet. As I keep telling you, it’ll happen when you least expect it. But while we’re alone, tell me more about this Tim of yours.”

  I hesitated. Despite adoring Teresa, for some reason I wasn’t ready to tell her about Tim and I sleeping together. Neither of us were prudes, but because I believed she might say I had been a bit hasty in having sex with a relative stranger, I didn’t want to risk another lecture.

  “He’s not exactly my Tim, and I don’t think there’s much more to add except we’ve seen each other a lot over the last few days. I think he’s quite keen. He showed me what he’s been working on, and it explained why he’s been out of the house late in the evening.”

  Teresa frowned. “I didn’t know he had. So what’s his big secret?”

  “Ghosts. He’s busy compiling his favourite ghost stories in and around Surrey.”

  “Ri…ght.”

  “You’re not convinced?”

  She laughed. “It does sound a tad far-fetched. But if he’s shown you his writing notes, I guess he must be legit.”

  “It does sort of—” I stopped as I realised what I was about to say.

  Keen-eared Teresa caught the hesitation in my voice immediately. “Sort of what?”

  I realised the trap I had set myself, and I didn’t like it one bit. I suddenly comprehended the innuendo Michael had been pushing towards.

  “I was going to say it gives Tim a sort of alibi. Oh, Teresa, what if I’m wrong? Michael keeps insisting he can smell a rat when he sees one. Have I been silly to trust Tim, believing everything he’s told me? What if he’s really been the one going out in the night, looking for…for…?” I couldn’t bring myself to say the word victims.

  Teresa sat in silence and stared, her finely plucked eyebrows disappearing beneath her fringe and her mouth a round O. Her expression said it all.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine - Christian

  The search had finally come to fruition. After months of searching round the county, I had been shown that I was correct all along. Guildford was the place, and she was right under my nose. If only I had realised, I could have acted sooner, but then my master works in mysterious ways. Patience and watchfulness bring their own rewards, and I had the pleasure of perfecting my methods of cleansing.

  During my search, I hadn’t been idle. I honed my skills in selecting the right women, some perfect some not, but all helped towards my purpose when the red-mist rage took hold of me and told me what I had to do. It wasn’t as if I had a choice.

  By chance—no, I didn’t believe in chance. By my master’s divine right, I prepared myself for the final round. I wasn’t religious in any way, but divine right seemed the perfect analogy, don’t you agree?

  Going right back to that first time…when insults and cruel laughter had broken me in two for a time, causing me pain, making my work suffer, crushing me and knowing I would never have a fulfilling relationship with a woman…now things had come full circle. The curtain was about to fall on the final act. Complete revenge was all but mine.

  Chapter Forty - Ella

  The more I thought things through, the more I realised I should talk to someone other than Michael, Tim or my parents. As much as I dreaded the idea of Tim not being who he said he was, Michael was too involved with me to give an unbiased decision. I wondered whether I should say something to Michael’s partner in the police force. Although I didn’t know Pete well, we had met quite a few times over the two years Michael and I were together, and we always got on. The thing I remembered most about Pete was how he always came across as strong, down-to-earth and dependable. I felt sure he wouldn’t balk at giving me some advice or help. As I pondered my dilemma, I realised I hadn’t seen him recently, and it was a good excuse to meet up.

  I finished work early the next day, and after contacting Pete on his mobile, we agreed to meet up at the Guildford swimming pool. There was a café there, which was usually busy and a good place to sit and talk without attracting attention.

  Pete, like Michael, was a police constable, but about five years younger. He was an ardent follower of rugby and regularly played for one of the Guildford teams. When he strolled into the café and walked towards me, I could see how he was built for the game. About five foot ten at most, compact and muscular, he moved with a fluidity which belied his strength.

  “Hi, Ella. Good to see you again.”

  “You too, Pete. This must be your own stamping ground.” I indicated the area around us.

  “Yeah, we train here twice a week. I see you already have a coffee, so I’ll just fetch one for myself.”

  While Pete walked over to the serving counter I glanced round the room. It was more than half full of teenagers, a few families and some older couples, many with damp hair. It was good to know the leisure centre was being utilised. I remembered it costing the tax payer a lot of money when it was built. Pete sat down and after taking a quick sip of his coffee, blew across the top of his cup.

  “This is one of the few places where you can get a decent hot drink. So often these days, most coffee is lukewarm,” he explained with a small grin.

  I nodded, realising he was waiting for me to start the real conversation. “The coffee machines don’t boil the water as coffee is supposedly best served just under boiling point. Um, I expect you’re wondering why I asked to see you.”

  It was Pete’s turn to nod and he gave me a slow, wide grin. “All in good time, but I am curious. Not that it isn’t good to see you.” Pete was one of the quiet ones: still waters and all that. I smiled back. At first glance, one could be forgiven for thinking him slow and even dull-witted, but I knew otherwise. Never the first to voice his opinions, he listened, took everything in, churned it around in his brain and then talked when invited. I always liked his taciturn nature, considering him intelligent and trustworthy.

  During my journey over, I wondered how much to tell him. Michael had emphasised that he had let me in on some of the classified details about the Surrey Punisher case and I shouldn’t tell anyone else. I respected his wishes and wasn’t about to let Pete know I knew certain facts; I didn’t want anyone getting into trouble, after all. But there were certain things which puzzled me.

  “I don’t know where to begin,” I started, realising how stupid I must have sounded.

  Pete laid his cup down. “Is this anything to do with Michael?” When I raised my eyebrows, he gave a slow nod and continued. “To tell you the truth, Ella, and this is between you and me, I’ve been a bit puzzled about him lately. I don’t know how much I should say or what you know yourself, but as his fiancée, then I guess you have his best interests at heart. Apparently, he’s been skipping duties, according to a mate of mine down at Godalming nick, and acting oddly on a few occasions as if stressed out. His boss suggested he take time off or if he preferred, talk to someone. Not a police stress counsellor as such but a good listener, and god knows we have enough different counsellors of one kind or another around these days. Apparently, Michael said he was all right and would take time off when things quietened down, whenever that is. I haven’t heard anything, but maybe he did decide to take some leave?”

  I caught my breath. Certain things Pete mentioned didn’t add up. “Er, we’re no longer a couple, Pete. We split up over a week ago and we’ve never been engaged.” I wiggled my left-hand fingers in front of me. “Ever.”

  “Oh right.” He frowned and paused. “That’s bloody odd. He said he bought you a ring last birthday. Sapphires and diamonds, I think he s
aid, although being a bloke I didn’t take much notice. I can’t think I made a mistake like that, though.”

  “No, I’m sure you didn’t. But something else is confusing me. You just said that he’s been missing duties at the Godalming station. You’d have seen that yourself, wouldn’t you?”

  Pete frowned before taking a slurp of coffee. He shrugged. “No, why should I? Guildford and Godalming have separate shifts.”

  “But don’t you work with Michael anymore?”

  “No. I haven’t for about a year. I got moved to Guildford full-time. I’m acting sergeant at the moment, and it should be made legit in a week or so. Why?”

  I felt thoroughly flustered and wondered whether I had misunderstood Michael. “Congrats, I’m sure you deserve it. But going back to Michael…I’m sure he said you were his partner.”

  “No. We temporarily shared a car about, oh, eighteen months ago, or maybe it was slightly before that, but unlike me, Michael is strictly desk-job material.”

  “Oh.”

  Pete peered at me closely. “Ella, you’ve got me curious. What else has he said?”

  My mind went blank for a couple of seconds. What the hell should I have said without landing Michael well and truly in it? My mind was in a turmoil. I had already pissed off one friend, Liam. Was I in danger of annoying another? For despite Michael’s cavalier attitude towards me at the moment, he had said he wanted to ensure I stayed safe. I bit back a sigh and thought about what to tell him. Above all else—ignoring all this personal involvement—a multi-murder enquiry was going on, and Michael was involved with the task force, even if he was on leave. On the other hand, I would have thought someone suffering with a lot of stress shouldn’t have been anywhere near such a sensitive case.

  “I’m not sure what I should say. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. But you’re right. I too have been thinking Michael’s been under some strain. We had a horrible row, and that’s one of the reasons we split up, but he didn’t mention anything about getting stress counselling. I wonder why. If he’s been mainly in the office up until now, I wouldn’t have thought that very stressful.”