by M A Comley
“I’m here. Amanda Smith.”
“Hi, Amanda. How are you? Don’t answer that, it was a frigging dumb question. Is Nicole here?”
“No. I don’t think so,” Jennifer replied.
“I’m here, you’d remember me as Brit Mitchell. I’m married now. Oh shit, I hope I get to see my husband again. I love him so much.”
“You will. It’s imperative that we remain positive at all times. We can get through this together,” Jennifer assured the rest of the group.
“I’m not so sure. She mentioned something about the games beginning later. What could she mean? I get the feeling she wasn’t talking about playing Monopoly,” Ashleigh replied.
Libby could no longer hold the laughter in. She roared and applauded at the same time. “Bravo, ladies. Has it sunk in yet? Who am I?”
None of them responded through the sudden quiet and stillness.
“One of life’s mysteries yet to be answered, right? We met back in the day when puberty was changing our bodies, in some cases, for the worse. I’ll leave you with that thought and return later. TTFN, bitches.” She slammed the door behind her and returned to her car with the intention of going home for a couple of hours’ nap. Her day’s exploits had drained her. She needed to recover for what lay ahead that evening. Excitement took over as the adrenaline pumped around her system.
7
Sara arrived home and rang the bell. She knew Carla was already there, her car was sitting on the road outside. A strange sensation shot through her, and she put it down to knowing that her partner and friend was safe, at last.
Carla opened the front door with a contented-sounding Misty in her arms. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure if I should leave it unlocked for you or not.”
“It’s fine. I’d rather you didn’t. I’m very security-minded after what this one went through.” She stroked Misty, who was revelling in all the fuss being heaped upon her.
“Ah yes, I should have thought about that. Want a coffee? Is that correct protocol? To ask you if you want a drink in your own home? I’m not sure.”
“Don’t be daft. It’s your home now, if only temporarily, and yes, I’d love one.”
Carla handed Misty over and sped into the kitchen. “If you tell me what veggies you need preparing for dinner, I can get on with them for you.”
“Gosh, I’m not that well organised. Mark tends to do most of the cooking. I’ll give him a call, see if he’s got anything planned for this evening. Sometimes he’ll stop off for a takeaway if we’re both up to our necks in work and exhausted, which suits me.”
“Want me to check the fridge first? Maybe we can surprise him with something home-cooked for a change.” Carla winked and smiled.
“Cheeky mare. I do cook some days, admittedly it’s mostly at the weekend.”
“Just teasing.” Carla finished making the coffee. “Here, take the weight off and drink that.” Then she opened the fridge and shifted a few things around. Once or twice, she poked her head around the fridge door to look at Sara.
“Something wrong? Oh God, you haven’t found anything sprouting young in there, have you?”
“Nearly. Found a few furry items.” Carla pulled the dustbin closer and started filling it with food long past its ‘eat by’ date.
“Now you’re making me feel bad.”
“Oh no, that wasn’t my intention. I’m only trying to help. I get days when I have to blitz my fridge as well, we all do.”
“If you say so. Anything worth keeping in there? I could have a rummage around in the freezer; I might have a few portions of lasagne left. I do a batch cook now and then, mainly to use up the crap that’s left before it gets relegated to the bin.”
“Oo… I lurve lasagne. Stay there, I’ll get it. Where am I likely to find it?”
“Top drawer in the freezer.”
Carla bent down and opened the door. “Ah ha, my investigative nose has spotted two, no, three likely suspects. I think we’re in luck. What do you usually serve with it?”
“That’s a relief. Umm… it depends, sometimes chips, but mostly salad.”
Carla turned back to the freezer and extracted the bag of chips. “This looks the likely option as the salad ingredients are a tad thin on the ground.”
“Sounds good to me. We’ll sort it later, let it thaw a little while we have a cuppa. Come and join me.”
Carla set the food containers on the draining board, picked up her cup and joined Sara at the kitchen table. “Thanks again for letting me stay, Sara. I’ll try not to get under your feet too much. If you and Mark want any privacy at any time, don’t be afraid to tell me, will you?”
“I won’t. Glad to see you’ve made yourself at home. How are you feeling about everything?”
“To be honest, I’ve done my best to try to keep busy since I got here. Misty has been a massive source of comfort. I never knew cats could be so entertaining, it’s as if she knew I was crying out for affection.”
Sara reached over and laid her hand on top of Carla’s. “Bless you. You’re safe now. Sweetheart, you’ll meet someone who loves you for you, one day.” Could be sooner than you think if Des makes a move on you.
Carla stared at her mug. “Thanks, not sure I’ll be on the lookout for someone to fill Gary’s shoes anytime soon.”
“Fill his shoes? I hope not. He has been wrong for you from the start, love.”
“I wouldn’t say that. We’ve shared some good times together, you know, before his accident. It literally changed everything.”
“Are you telling me he wasn’t fist happy before the accident occurred then?”
Carla glanced up and shook her head. “No, not at all.”
“That’s so sad. No sign of any bad temper or anger issues?”
“Nope, nothing. He was always kind and gentle. It’s so confusing because I loved him the way he used to be and felt sorry for the person he became in the end. I doubt if you’ll understand that, but that’s the only way I can explain the situation.”
“Maybe something went awry in his brain during the accident. Either way, he should’ve reached out for counselling rather than take his frustrations out on you with his fists. I don’t suppose you’ve checked what you look like in a mirror yet, have you?”
“I’m too scared to. I caught a quick glimpse in the oven door, it was enough, for now. I’m just sorry I couldn’t handle the situation myself. Makes me feel like a failure.”
“That’s ludicrous. Anyway, let’s not get morbid about the past.” She raised her mug, and Carla raised hers. “Here’s to the future. Who knows what good things lie around the corner for you?”
They clinked their mugs together and took a sip of coffee.
“Who knows? I’m just grateful for you and the chief showing faith in me. If you guys hadn’t come to see me today, I’d be joining the dole queue tomorrow. I’m sorry you had to put up with Gary’s foul mood, though. He had no right to attack you like that.”
“Not your problem any more, love. You’re well shot of him now.”
“Dare I ask how the interview went with him?”
“I left it to the chief. She reported back to me before I came home that he was showing little to no remorse for his actions. I reckon he seriously needs help, professional help. You’ve done the right thing leaving him, love. You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. Just muck in, help yourself to food and drink when you want, you hear me?”
Tears filled Carla’s eyes. “You’re incredible. Most people would have turned their back on me for walking out on the job, but not you. And to welcome me into your home… I’m so grateful to you, and Mark, of course. I’ll try not to get in the way.”
“You won’t, I’ll make sure I work you hard over the next few days at least.”
“I was expecting you to say something along those lines. How’s the investigation going? Or do you have a rule about not talking shop at home?”
“Generally, we try not to discuss things, however, I don’t m
ind talking work when it’s only you and me here.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“As for the investigation, it’s a bit meh, to say the least. This afternoon we received a call about another woman going missing, an estate agent. Can you believe she was abducted on a house viewing?”
“What? No way. Are the cases linked?”
“At the moment, we’re not sure. Saying that, I think it would be foolish not to link them. I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“Bugger. No motive come to light either, I take it?”
“Nope. We’ve got a couple of women we need to search for.”
Carla frowned and twisted her cup on the coaster. “Women abducting women, that’s a strange one. I don’t think we’ve come across a case like that before, have we?”
“No, I think you’re right. Which is the puzzling part. Something else we need to consider is we’re only talking about these women being abducted and not killed. To date, no bodies have shown up, therefore, I’m inclined to believe the abductor’s intention is to hold the women. The questions we need answers to are why and where?”
The front door opened, and Mark shouted, “Honey, I’m home.”
Sara rolled her eyes. “Honestly, he’s not usually that sad.”
Carla chuckled and shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
Sara caught the movement. “Hey, he’s fine with you staying.” Or are you uncomfortable because a man has entered the house?
“I’m okay. I’m conscious of being in the way, that’s all.”
Sara growled. “You do talk a lot of shit at times. Chill, that’s an order.”
Carla mock-saluted her and smiled. “Yes, boss.”
“Hey, you two, how’s it going?” Mark walked into the room and kissed Sara on the top of the head. “Good to see you, Carla.”
Carla’s cheeks flushed under his searching gaze. “Thanks for letting me stay, Mark. Sorry for the horror picture show.”
“There’s no need for you to apologise. You’re safe here.”
Sara clutched his hand and kissed the back of it. He was such a special man, her heart swelled with love and pride. She hadn’t asked him to offer sympathy and kindness to Carla, yet he’d taken it upon himself to do just that. He truly was one in a million. “We’ve got lasagne for dinner with chips, is that all right?”
“Double helping of carbs is always something to look forward to.”
Sara laughed. “Trust you. Have you had a good day?” She looked him up and down, searching for signs of wee or poo.
“Yep, I escaped all that was flung at me from certain orifices today.”
“Good to hear. I’m going to shoot upstairs and get my comfy clothes on. Won’t be a tick.”
She left the room and heard Mark ask Carla if she wanted another drink.
“No, I’m fine. Let me get you one.”
“You will not. You’re a guest in our home,” Mark insisted.
“I’ll pull my weight, Mark, I promise.”
“We’ll see.”
Sara climbed the stairs, peeked into the spare room to make sure Carla had unpacked her possessions, and when satisfied she’d done that, she carried on walking until she reached the master bedroom. Any underlying apprehensions about Carla staying with them dissolved while she was getting changed.
She rejoined her friend and her husband, who by the sound of the laughter coming from the kitchen were getting on like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in twenty years. “Glad to see you two getting along so well. I’m going to put the chips in. Dinner should be in half an hour, if that’s all right with you, guys?”
“Sounds perfect,” Mark replied. “Shall I nip out for a bottle of wine? I forgot to stop off at the off-licence on the way home.”
“No, we’ll manage. I think there’s one in the cupboard.” She pointed at the cupboard on the wall behind him. “At the back.”
He raised an eyebrow. “A hidden stash, eh?”
“Hardly.” Sara chuckled.
Mark placed the white wine in the freezer until they started dinner.
The three of them laughed throughout their meal. Sara was pleased that Carla seemed to be at home. She volunteered to do the washing up while Mark and Sara went through to the lounge.
“Are you sure you’re all right about Carla staying?” she whispered, casting a glance over her shoulder.
“You worry too much. It’s good to see her smile. I don’t mind telling you when I first laid eyes on her I felt physically sick. What type of bastard does that to another human being, and a woman at that?”
“I know, it’s soul-destroying. Thankfully, she appears to be in better spirits than when the chief and I went to rescue her.”
“Glad you managed to talk her round and got her out of that toxic situation. One thought, he’s not likely to show up here and cause trouble, is he?”
“Never say never, but I think he’ll have more sense than that after what happened today. The chief would have laid into him. Pointed out his mistakes and made sure he seeks the help he needs from a professional.”
“Let’s hope he finds what he needs, otherwise I fear for the next woman he takes up with, if Carla’s injuries are anything to go by.”
Sara sipped her wine. “Agreed. Shh… she’s coming.” She turned to see Carla carrying her wine glass in one hand and Misty in her other arm. “She’s really taken to you.”
“Do you mind?” Carla asked.
“Why should I? Misty’s main priority is obtaining a bit of fuss.”
“She’ll get that, for sure. All cleared up. I’m going to love and leave you, if that’s okay? I have a few calls to make.”
“Of course. Give me a shout if you need anything. Oh, and the towels are in the airing cupboard at the end of the hall.”
“Thanks, I managed to grab a couple of my own. I suppose I’ll have to pop back to pick up the rest of my belongings in the next few days. I couldn’t fit it all in the car.”
“We could go together, maybe after work one night, in the near future.”
“Cool. I’ll have a look on the ’Net for alternative accommodation as well, while I’m up there. Goodnight, both of you, and thank you again for putting up with me.”
“No need to thank us. Goodnight, Carla,” Mark replied.
“Sleep well, shout if you need anything.”
“I will.”
The following morning, the sunrise woke Sara at the crack of dawn, making it impossible for her to get back to sleep. Instead, she got up early, before six, and knocked up a pancake mixture for breakfast.
Mark and Carla joined her at around seven-fifteen. She reheated the pancakes in the microwave and placed the stack on the table, ready for everyone to put on their favourite topping. Hers was definitely chocolate spread. Mark declined the offer and left at around seven-thirty; he had a cat to be neutered at eight.
“This is delicious. Do you often have a large breakfast like this?” Carla tucked into her peanut butter pancakes and moaned contentedly.
“Yep.” Sara was halfway through her breakfast when her phone rang. “DI Sara Ramsey, how can I help?”
“Sorry to bother you so early, ma’am, it’s Jeff at the station. I was wondering if you could maybe stop off and see someone on your way in this morning.”
“Concerning what, Jeff?”
“Can’t you guess? Sorry, that was uncalled for. I received a call from a concerned father. Apparently, his daughter went missing last night.”
“When did he ring up?”
“This morning. He’s been up all night, searching for his daughter.”
“Okay. Carla and I will stop off on the way in. What’s the address?”
“Twenty-nine Tidmarsh Street.”
“Carla’s nodding, she knows where it is. Text me the details, including the man’s name if you would?”
“Doing it now.”
Her phone pinged. She read the message. “Got it. Okay, we’ll see you later on. Let my
team know we’ll be delayed, will you?”
“Sure thing. Good luck.”
Sara ended the call, gulped down the rest of her coffee and shovelled the last of her pancake in her mouth. Misty wrapped herself around the legs of the chair. “Damn, are you ready to go?”
“Almost, just got to brush my teeth. Hate doing it before I have breakfast.”
“Me, too. I’ll need to do the same. I’ll feed Misty first.”
“Leave the washing up, I’ll do it when I come down.”
“Thanks, that’ll be a great help. Come on, tinker, let’s find you a tin of tuna.” She opened the tin and filled Misty’s bowl with a handful of dried food and half the tin. The rest she put in the fridge for later. Then she bolted upstairs to finish off getting ready.
Misty was standing by the back door, asking to be let out when she came down. “Come on, trouble, out you pop.” Misty didn’t wander too far from the back door. She did her business and then ran back inside. Sara secured the door.
Carla washed up, but Sara insisted she left the plates to drain. They set off in two cars.
Thomas Calder lived in a beautiful manor-type house out in the country, near Wellington. He rushed to open the door to greet them. “Hello, thank you so much for coming.” He gestured for them to enter.
Sara produced her ID. “DI Sara Ramsey, and my partner, DS Carla Jameson. How can we help, Mr Calder?”
He stared at Carla’s injuries but didn’t refer to them. “Come through to the kitchen. Would you like a coffee? I’m on my third cup of the morning.”
“No, thanks for the offer, we’ve not long had breakfast.”
He let out a sigh and showed them through to a stunning kitchen at the rear. Ultra-modern glossy white units with black granite worktops. The bi-fold doors which led out to a cottage garden were open, and a gentle breeze filled the room.
A coffee machine gurgled to an abrupt halt on the side. The aroma of freshly ground beans proved to be too tempting to resist. “Umm… is it possible to change my mind on the coffee?” She grinned.
“Yes, of course. What about you, Sergeant?” Mr Calder asked.
Carla sniggered. “Far too enticing to pass up. Thank you. White with one sugar for both of us.”
