The Girl in the Rug

by K Leitch

  CHAPTER 47 - CARLA

  It was a bedraggled and exhausted bunch that sat in the briefing room waiting for Carla. They had searched every inch of the Glory Woods and the surrounding common and, apart from the ancient carcass of a dog, they had found nothing.

  DC Mandy Hopkins had been trawling through any available CCTV footage of the surrounding areas and was talking to Carla about what she had found.

  Two minutes later Carla herself came into the briefing room followed by Mandy.

  ‘Right,’ she started, ‘looks like we may have a number plate for the white van, we have it on camera near to the common driving slowly as we had been told at 11.43 and then Mandy picked it up travelling away from the village at 12.07 on the Godstone road. Frank’s handing out details of the van, we need to find out who it belongs to ASAP even if we are just eliminating it from our enquiries. We got a decent shot from a speed camera further along the road and I’m just waiting to see if we can get a good look at the driver, if we get lucky there then we might have something more to follow up on tomorrow. Until then…thank you, you’ve all worked so hard tonight and last night, some of you even giving up your day’s off, and I’m so grateful and I know Mr Burton is too. Tracy is out there somewhere, for some reason someone has taken her and I am determined that we are going to find her…but we all need to rest, so get a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.’

  There was a loud buzz of conversation as the room slowly emptied; Carla spotted Frank talking to Midge by the door.

  ‘Frank,’ she called, ‘can I have a word before you go?’

  Frank finished his conversation and came over to where she was standing, he looked pale and drawn as they all did and his usually twinkling blue eyes looked red rimmed and dull.

  ‘What’s up?’ was all he said.

  ‘I thought you might want to wait and find out who was driving the van,’ Carla said, Pete Brownlow from the lab has just sent us over a cleaned up copy of the film.’

  ‘Ok sure,’ Frank said without much enthusiasm, he followed Carla as they made their way through to the little room at the side of the main office which had become known as Mandy’s office, because she was the one that usually used it to play back CCTV images and had made it her own. The blinds were drawn and the lights low as they watched the screen play back the footage. It showed the van head on as it had been caught by a speed camera and so the driver could be clearly seen and as Mandy paused and homed in on the image a very familiar face came into focus…it was Nellie driving the van.

  ‘Fuck me,’ said Frank staring at the screen, ‘I thought he would have been long gone.’

  ‘Well, well, well,’ said Carla, ‘that man is a one man crime wave…if of course this van has anything to do with Tracy’s disappearance.’

  ‘Well I can’t see what he would want with Tracy,’ Mandy said, ‘I doubt whether he’s ever even met her…so why would he kidnap her…unless,’ she stopped and looked at Carla.

  ‘Well go on,’ said Carla, ‘unless what?’

  ‘Well unless she spotted him doing something …oh I don’t know, maybe he was dumping a body on the common or something, and we all know Tracy seems to gravitate towards trouble,’ she stopped seeing Carla’s face, ‘Oh come on ma’am, I like Tracy as much as the next person but you have to admit she seems to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

  Carla had to admit that Mandy had a point and if Tracy had indeed stumbled upon Nellie doing something illegal he may well have grabbed her…heaven forbid! If he did have Tracy goodness knows what state they were going to find her in, Carla’s fears grew for her friend…they simply had to find her soon.

  Frank wandered off without waiting for Carla which wasn’t like him at all…in fact he hadn’t been himself for a while now Carla thought. She caught him up as he headed for his car in the car park.

  ‘Hey Frank wait up,’ she called to him; he stopped and waited for her to reach him.

  ‘Are you ok?’ she asked as soon as she got there.

  He didn’t answer he was busy looking at his phone, suddenly he swore under his breath; ‘Of all the stupid little…’ he began.

  ‘What’s happened?’ Carla asked.

  ‘Bloody Linda,’ he said through gritted teeth, ‘I’ve had a text from her, must have got it yesterday actually but what with all the searching and stuff I hadn’t noticed it. Anyway it seems that she decided that because we would be tied up with the search she would go and stake out the big house on her own…’

  He was interrupted by Carla’s gasp, ‘Oh no what was she thinking…bloody hell as if we haven’t got enough on our plate…the stupid idiot,’ Carla finished angrily.

  ‘Yeh well, I suppose she just thought she was helping,’ reasoned Frank.

  ‘Helping…fucking hell with help like that…’

  ‘Yeh I get the message,’ interrupted Frank his hackles rising in defence of Linda, ‘and who knows she may have got some good shots, in which case we may have enough to take this whole child abuse thing to the DCI which would be a result.’

  Carla shook her head at him, ‘Well she better have got something good, you can tell her from me. I told her specifically not to do anything stupid…we are not playing games here Frank, these people will not want any of this coming out and they are powerful people in this community, who knows what they might do…who they might hurt.’

  ‘Look don’t shoot the messenger ok, I will tell her in no uncertain terms believe me,’ Frank said grimly. ‘Actually I’m surprised she hasn’t got back to me by now, I’ll give her a ring as soon as I get home…let you know if she’s got anything ok.’

  ‘Ok Frank…and thanks for all your help, you know with the search and everything.’

  Frank pulled away from the car and gave her a hug, ‘We will find her you know…you mustn’t give up.’

  Carla hastily wiped away a tear and walked slowly over to her own car. She knew she had to go home and get some sleep, she had been awake now for nearly two days…but until Tracy was found alive and well she felt as if she was betraying her if she even relaxed let alone closed her eyes.

  ‘Oh get a grip Carla,’ she told herself crossly, ‘you are no good to man nor beast like this you stupid cow.’ And with that she drove home to be with her family, have something to eat, cuddle her husband and get some sleep, in that order.

  CHAPTER 48

  Andy hadn’t liked the ‘party’ even if one of the men had given him a ten pound note. He hadn’t liked it and he didn’t think he would do it again, he told Daniel the next morning.

  Daniel just shrugged; ‘Whatever,’ he said, ‘if you don’t want to earn some money it’s no skin off my nose, Tutt won’t like it though,’ he warned walking away.

  Andy thought he would rather earn money another way, he had felt really uncomfortable taking his clothes off in front of all those old men, and it had made him cross to see little Shauna crying in the van on the way home. She had been taken to another room by a tall old man, but she wouldn’t tell Andy what had happened to her there…she seemed to be really embarrassed by it and didn’t want to talk, although she had said she didn’t want to do it again either.

  The other reason Andy didn’t want to go back to that house was that he had thought that he had seen Nellie there. When the van had first pulled into the drive and Mr Tutt was getting everybody into the house, he had spotted him…or at least it had looked like him. He had turned his face away and walked into the house behind another boy, terrified that Nellie would spot him but he hadn’t seen him again so he couldn’t be sure it even was him. He wasn’t taking any chances though, he was sure Mr Tutt would be ok…he’d speak to him after dinner.

  Andy had been waiting with baited breath for his mum to come and visit him, maybe even take him back home. He knew she had been released from prison, Miss Taylor had told him the good news a couple of weeks ago, and ever since then he had been waiting. Miss Taylor said that he wouldn’t be allowed home straightaway anywa
y, Mum would have to prove that she was sober and capable of taking care of him. But Andy was sure that was just a formality…he would be home with Mum again really soon he was sure.

  Although if he was honest, there were times when he was a little bit worried about being back with Mum, he felt disloyal even thinking it but sometimes…well he hadn’t been very happy there. And sometimes he had wished with all his heart that he could have been somewhere where he didn’t always have to creep around, or avoid Mum’s slaps. And it was good to go to bed with a full belly and to have clean clothes to wear to school and not be called ‘Stinky Andy’. But these thoughts were far and few between and Andy hid them like a guilty secret, once Mum was off the drink things would be better he was sure.

  In his imagination Mum was happy and healthy, waiting for him at the school gates with a smile on her face, asking him about his day as she prepared him a nice dinner. They would do things together too, maybe days at the seaside or to the park, but only if she wanted to…he didn’t mind what they did as long as they did it together.

  But it had been over two weeks now and she still hadn’t visited him, he had asked Miss Taylor to make sure she knew where he was, but she said that Mum had been informed of his whereabouts and had been encouraged to visit…surely she would come soon.

  It had been nice going to Miss Dronski’s house the other day too…although being in that happy noisy house had made him feel a bit unhappy about his own home. Miss Dronski had said that next time they might all go out somewhere, so that would be good and he really liked Benji and Abby…and Nonna, he liked Nonna a lot.

  Andy’s thoughts were interrupted as he spotted Mr Tutt in the garden heading towards the shed, he might as well tell him now that he wouldn’t be going to any more ‘parties’. Andy went and grabbed his shoes and ran outside and up the garden path towards the shed that was Mr Tutt’s own particular domain. As he got nearer though something made him slow down a bit, the shed door was closed but he could hear sounds coming from inside…a sort of whimpering and pleading. Andy crept round to the side of the shed where there was a small window and as quietly as he could he peered in.

  Tutt was standing behind a young boy, Andy thought his name was Jamie; he had only just arrived at Marshall Street. Tutt’s trousers were round his ankles as were Jamie’s and Tutt was holding the boy down over his work bench and pounding into him from behind. From where he was standing, Andy could see that the boy was hurting and terrified, his face was a picture of desperate misery and he was moaning in pain with every thrust from Tutt. Tutt on the other hand had his head thrown back and his eyes closed in ecstasy.

  Andy didn’t know what to do, should he run and tell somebody, but what if he couldn’t find anyone in time. Should he just keep quiet and tell someone later…Miss Dronski maybe, he was sure she would try and do something about it. But Jamie needed help now didn’t he…not in five or even ten minutes…without thinking of the consequences Andy banged on the shed window hard and shouted at Mr Tutt to ‘Stop it…leave him alone you’re hurting him.’

  Tutt, shocked to the core at the interruption threw Jamie from him and charged out of the shed after Andy, doing his trousers up as he ran. Andy was faster than him, but he made a fatal mistake…he ran further into the garden rather than back to the house. The area at the end of the garden was very unkempt, covered in brambles and bracken which slowed Andy down and scratched and stung his arms and legs. His heart was racing and his lungs were bursting as he flailed around trying to get away, but Tutt was gaining on him and all too soon he was caught by the back of his shirt and pulled back, Tutt backhanded him to the ground.

  ‘Whatcha doing snooping round my shed boy?’ he hissed down at him holding onto his shirt as Andy tried to roll away. ‘Oh no you’re going nowhere son,’ Tutt growled pushing Andy over onto his stomach and kneeling behind him.

  ‘You like what you saw did you boy?’ he said into Andy’s ear as his hand came down onto the back of his head pushing his face into the ground. Andy squirmed and twisted but Tutt was much stronger and held him firm with one hand, ripping down his trousers with the other. Andy roared into the ground with rage and fear, his little body shaking, terrified of what he knew was coming.

  But nothing happened…all of a sudden Tutt seemed to jerk backwards, strange gurgling sounds coming from his mouth as he slumped heavily to the ground next to Andy. For a moment their eyes met, Tutt had an almost comical look of shock on his face, and there was blood running out from the side of his mouth onto the ground below.

  Terrified, Andy rolled away from Tutt’s body and turned round. Daniel was standing behind him, he didn’t say anything, it was like he didn’t see Andy he just kept staring down at Mr Tutt who was jerking and shaking on the ground, a kitchen knife sticking out of the side of his neck.

  ‘Daniel what have you done?’ Andy said still shaking, ‘You’ve killed him.’

  Daniel seemed to snap out of it, he looked at Andy and then back at Tutt, ‘He’s not dead,’ was all he said, ‘not yet anyway.’

  Daniel turned to Andy with tears in his eyes, ‘Bloody deserves to die…fucking old pervert,’ he went over and kicked Tutt’s inert body making him grunt in pain. ‘You saw…you must have seen what he did…does. Fucking sick cunt…he’s been doing that to me ever since the first day I arrived. I was so scared…Mum had been taken away…thank god for that…and then I thought maybe some nice people might give me a home…that’s all I wanted Andy, a mum and dad. What do I get…’ he kicked Tutt again, ‘that sick fuck…that’s what. And no one even cared…I tried to tell them but they all just looked at me like I was making it up.’ Daniel was sobbing now and Andy was worried, he’d never seen the older boy show any sort of emotion before.

  ‘Well fuck the lot of them,’ Daniel went on, ‘I’m out of here…I’ve got me money, so I’m off.’

  He went to go but Andy stopped him, ‘What about old Tutt though Daniel,’ Andy asked, ‘he’s still alive…what should I do?’

  ‘Do what you want Andy…I don’t care anymore,’ and with that he left Andy and strode back down the garden to the house.

  Tutt was groaning next to Andy’s feet, he could see a pool of blood next to him on the ground…if he left him much longer he would die. Andy thought about it…just for a second…and then he ran screaming at the top of his voice into the kitchen for someone to call an ambulance as Mr Tutt was hurt in the garden.

  Tutt was taken to hospital, he had lost a lot of blood but he was still alive enough to give Andy a look that boded no good, as he was carried past him to the ambulance.

  Daniel disappeared…his secret box under his bed was empty, and some of his clothes had gone, so too had some of his beloved books. The police were called and Andy was interviewed, but he couldn’t tell them anything…he had no idea where Daniel had gone.

  Andy went to bed exhausted that night; the room seemed strangely quiet without Daniel, even though he hadn’t been much for chatting. As he got into bed he felt a rustling under his pillow, it was a note from Daniel.

  “Andy, I hope you get what you want, if that’s your mum then I hope she gets well enough to take care of you. You’re a good kid Andy, stay away from Tutt and all those other bastards. I am going to write a letter to the police telling them that I stabbed Tutt and why, so you won’t get into any trouble.

  Daniel.”

  Andy turned his face into his pillow and cried himself to sleep.

  CHAPTER 49 - CARLA

  ‘OK Frank calm down…when did you last speak to her?’ Carla said her mouth full of toast.

  ‘A couple of days ago, same time as you…when Tracy first went missing,’ Frank said with studied patience. ‘I just have an awful feeling something’s wrong Carla, I mean she texted me to say she was staking out the house and then nothing. I have texted her…oh I don’t know how many times, called her but I just keep getting her voice mail…’

  ‘Have you two had a row or something?’ Carla said as she was trying to slurp down h
er cup of tea, get her coat on and talk to Frank on her mobile, all at the same time.

  ‘No…although I will be having some very strong words with her believe me…’

  ‘Have you tried the newspaper…they must know where she is surely?’ interrupted Carla distractedly as she hunted around for her keys.

  ‘Yes of course I have, it was the first place I tried…apparently she has been out for a few days following up on some big story.’

  ‘Well then,’ said Carl infuriatingly calm. ‘She’s probably got loads of other stuff to do Frank, I mean she does have a day job doesn’t she…um…as do you I might add. Mandy has come up with a number for the white van that Nellie was driving, it seems it is owned by Robinsons builders. Funny how their name and their house keep on coming up isn’t it? I’m off to see Mr Robinson this morning see if he can shed any light on why it was spotted driving past the common at the very time that Tracy disappeared.’

  ‘Are you going to the house then,’ Frank asked.

  ‘No I think I’ll stand a better chance of catching one of them if I go to the offices, why?’

  ‘Oh I think I might just pop by the house, have a nosy round you never know I might bump into them there…I’ll let you know.’

  An hour or so later Frank pulled up outside the big iron gates that led up to the big house, the drive was empty of cars and the house looked deserted, he parked the car and walked up the gravelled drive. There had obviously been some activity at the house quite recently; he noted a quite a few cigarette butts in the gravel and a recycling bin full of bottles and cans that had been left near the front gates. Frank went up the steps to the big double front doors and rang the bell, but despite ringing it a few times there was no movement from inside. He wandered back down the steps and round to the side of the house, noting fresh tyre marks in the gravel near to the side door, he tried that door, but it was shut tight.

  Frank carried on round to the rear of the house, and up the steps to the patio outside the glazed French doors, he peered inside through one of the windows. The huge room was pretty impressive, an enormous fireplace with an equally enormous mirror above it was directly opposite the window, it reflected the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Frank could imagine how splendid the room would look when it was used for entertaining. It was empty now but he could see tables pushed up against the walls and chairs stacked neatly ready for the next function.