by A L Fraine
Nathan frowned. It was an odd reaction to what was a chilling message from a child killer. And not just any child killer, but the killer of Rory’s brother.
“What?”
“Nothing… Well, I don’t know, it might be something. I just, I recognise this,” Rory said, and pointed to a phrase at the end of the call. “We learn from failure, not from success.”
“Okay, where from?”
“It’s a quote, from Dracula.”
“Dracula?”
“The novel, yeah. I only recognise it because… Shit, yeah. Christ, I’d forgotten about that.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know, it’s probably nothing but, I only know that phrase, and others like it because of this weird kid back in school. What was his name? Oh, yeah. Darby. Kendel Darby. That was it, yeah. He was a weird one, a bit of a loner. We were quite mean to him, I think. Hmm. Not one of my proudest moments, but he wasn’t in school long.”
“So, why does that quote link back to him?”
“He loved the book. He was always quoting it. Bloody annoying it was. That was one of them. ‘We learn from failure, not from success.’ He was always saying it after someone didn’t quite manage to do something, like, hit a ball in Rounders, or whatever.”
“And you bullied him?”
“Aaah, well, I don’t know if I’d say that, but. We were kids, you know? Kids can be cruel.”
“So, what happened to him?”
“I don’t know. He disappeared. It was big news at the time. We had the police come into the school and everything. Yeah, it was crazy. I don’t think he was ever found.”
“And his name was Kendel Darby? You’re sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Why? Do you think it’s him? Is he the killer?”
“I don’t know, but if you bullied him, I don’t know, maybe?”
“He was taking revenge?”
“We don’t know that. Let me look into this, okay?”
“Of course. I won’t say anything.”
“Thanks,” Nathan replied, and rushed to gather up all his stuff as his mind raced. Who was Kendel Darby?
14
Connie was sitting in her armchair, flinching as Travis banged around the kitchen. Cupboards were being slammed, one after another, as Travis hunted through them.
“Where is it?”
“Where’s what?”
“The bottle I use. The water bottle. Where have you put it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve not seen it,” Connie replied, looking across the corridor at her son in the other room.
“Well, you had it last. I gave it to you to wash up.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember that, and…” she lowered her voice, “I’m not your slave.”
“What?”
“Nothing,” she muttered, fearing his temper. She wasn’t sure why she’d said that, and now she regretted it.
“Too busy talking to the bloody police,” he muttered as he continued hunting.
“Why do you want it?” she ventured, not wanting to argue about the police visit with him again.
“I’m going out.”
“Why?” She felt a pull in her gut at the thought of her son going out. Nathan and the other detectives didn’t say why they visited, but as she’d watched the news that evening and the report about the missing boy, everything had become clear. Travis recognised Emily, the other survivor from thirteen years ago, in the press conference with that Detective Pilgrim.
It was happening again. The killer was back, she was sure of it, and he was targeting the previous victims. Would he go after Travis too?
“Because I bloody want to.”
“You don’t need to. Why don’t you stay here? There’s no need for you to—”
“Ugh, stop it. Stop smothering me,” he shouted. “I’m a grown man, now. That sick fuck won’t be interested in me anymore. He’s probably dead, anyway. It’s probably some copycat or something.”
“But, he might. He might be interested in you.”
“As if. Get a life, mum. I’d break his face if he tried anything with me.”
“Don’t talk like that.”
Travis slammed another door and grunted in frustration. “I’ll say whatever the hell I like,” he replied and stared at her for a moment, his eyes full of rage.
“Travis?”
“Fuck it, I’m going out,” he barked and stormed out of the flat, slamming the front door behind him. Connie got up and quickly locked it behind him. He had a key and could get back in, but she still didn’t feel safe with just the deadbolt.
Returning to the living room, she scooped up the remote and unmuted the TV, before walking to the window and looking out.
She watched the front of the building as the newsreader on the TV spoke.
“And there’s been no new leads on the case of the missing boy, Milo Kay. Milo disappeared yesterday morning while out on a cycle ride near his home, and police are still asking for any witnesses that might have been in the area between ten and ten-thirty in the morning to come forward.”
Travis exited the building below her, stuffing his earbuds in and burying his hands in his pockets. He marched away into the street, making a right turn and heading for town.
He’d be gone for a few hours. She frowned as she thought back to the police visit that morning. The detective had said he’d wanted to eliminate Travis from the investigation, meaning there might be some doubt about his innocence. Did they think Travis was the killer?
She was just about to step away from the window when she saw a van for a satellite news channel pull up on the road outside, followed by people jumping out. Her frown deepened, wondering what this was all about, before moving away from the window with a shrug.
Returning to her chair, she perched on the edge of the seat as she worked through her troubled thoughts. She wanted to believe that Travis was innocent and not to blame for this boy’s disappearance, but there was a nagging doubt in her mind.
Maybe Travis was right, it could be a copycat. Someone who knew the previous victims, maybe? Someone like Travis?
Nausea rose up from within. How could she think of her own son like that? Surely she was wrong. He couldn’t be the killer, could he? There was no way. He was just another troubled young man dealing with a traumatic event from his childhood. It made him act out and get angry, but that didn’t make him a killer, did it? She was unsure.
He was such an angry young man, always getting into trouble and starting fights. Was this some kind of release for him? Did he need to vent from time to time?
The missing boy was Emily’s child. The girl who’d escaped and left Travis behind with the killer while she ran. Did he resent that? Did he secretly hate Emily? Hate the way she’d left him to die at the killers hands?
She couldn’t say for sure that Travis wouldn’t somehow seek revenge against Emily by taking her child, but she couldn’t quite rule it out, either. She just didn’t trust him like she used to. She couldn’t. He scared her with his outbursts and disrespect. She hated him swearing all the time too. Where did he get that from?
Connie sighed. She wanted to sit and relax and enjoy an afternoon without him in the flat. She felt bad for thinking that, but despite her need for a break, she also knew she couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. She had to know. She had to find out.
If he did do it, surely there’d be a clue or something in his room.
For several moments, Connie remained sitting in her seat, resisting the growing pull in her chest. Was she living with a killer? Was he kidnapping children right under her nose? She needed to know.
Dizzy with fear and sick to her stomach, she got up and walked to his bedroom door. For a moment, she paused, half certain she was going insane before a sudden resolve took her. She grabbed the door handle and stepped into her son's bedroom.
15
Stalking away from the house, Jon looked back at the Slater residence. The meeting with them troubled him, and he wa
sn’t entirely sure what to make of it. Behind his bluster, Jake seemed genuinely interested in Emily and Milo, and concerned about what had happened, but only when Sherryl wasn’t around.
Was the hard man act for her benefit? Did he actually care for Milo?
He’d lied about the drugs, however.
So if he was lying about that, what else was he lying about? Or was he reading too much into Jake’s actions? Were they just being unhelpful to the police?
“Was that useful?” Kate asked, holding a bloody tissue to her nose as he approached the car. She leaned against it with Darryl sitting in the back seat, the doors closed.
“Somewhat,” Jon replied. “Are you okay? You took a knock there.”
“I never knew you cared.”
“Just a smidgin.”
“I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been clocked,” she sniffed and winced. “Hurts still though.”
“We’ll get you something back at the nick.”
She nodded. “So, go on then, don’t keep me in suspense, how was your chat?”
“They say they were here, in the house yesterday, but I caught Jake lying about still using drugs, so now I don’t know if I can believe him. They were hostile towards Emily and Darryl, too. Sherryl especially.”
“She’s Jake’s girlfriend, I take it.”
“Yeah. She hates Emily with a passion.”
“We need to confirm their whereabouts yesterday, then.”
“Right. So, how’s this one been?” Jon nodded to their car, where Darryl was sitting inside.
“Quiet. I’ve barely said a word to him. Thought I’d let him cool off while I waited for you. I’ve called a couple of officers in to take Darryl’s car back for us while we run him home… In fact, here they are now.”
A police car pulled up, and Kate handed Darryl’s keys to one of the officers, freeing them to leave the estate.
Jon climbed back into his car, and Kate joined him. Taking a moment to steady himself, Jon turned to look at Darryl. He’d been sitting quietly, his head down, keeping to himself. He sported a couple of cuts and bruises on his face already.
“What the hell was all that about?” Jon said.
Darryl looked anywhere but at Jon. “I’m sorry. My emotions just got the better of me. But, I’m sure it’s him. He did it. I know he did. I know how he treated Emily when they were together. He’s a violent man.”
“He hit her?” Kate asked.
“Yeah, I think so. He was horrible to her.”
“What about to Milo?” Jon asked.
“I don’t think so. He was just a baby when Jake went to jail. But, Emily once told me how angry he was when they took him. He swore to her then that he’d come for Milo. He wanted his son back.”
“Well, he’s got two of his own, now,” Jon stated.
“Two?” Darryl asked.
They didn’t know. “Let’s talk about this with Emily present. We’ll run you home, but you absolutely can’t come back here again. If you’re going to be causing trouble, we’ll have to do something about it.”
“I understand,” Darryl replied, head bowed.
“Alright.” Jon started the car.
“So, what did you find?” Darryl asked when they were well on their way.
“Not Milo, if that’s what you’re asking,” Jon answered. “There was no sign of him.”
“I see.” Darryl sounded deflated.
“We’ll find him,” Kate added. “I have no doubt about that.”
Darryl didn’t say anything, and the rest of the drive across town was uneventful. They’d talk more once they were back at Darryl’s house, so he wasn’t repeating himself.
Jon parked on the road outside, while the officer driving Darryl’s car pulled into the Kays’ driveway.
Several journalists were waiting outside the house with cameras at the ready. “I suppose we need to escort you past that lot now,” Jon remarked to Darryl. “I don’t think we want the press catching wind of your little excursion, do we?”
“At least I’m not in handcuffs.”
“Small mercies and all that,” Jon replied.
“Come on,” Kate said. “Let’s get you inside.”
“Don’t say anything to them,” Jon advised.
“I wasn’t planning to, don’t worry.”
They climbed out of the car, and as they approached the driveway entrance, the press swooped.
“Where have you been, Mr Kay?”
“Is Mr Kay in trouble, Detectives?”
“What were you doing with the police, Darryl?”
“What happened to your face, Darryl?”
“Is he in trouble?”
“Is Darryl the kidnapper?”
The questions came thick and fast as they pushed through with the help of the officer on duty. Darryl was true to his word and said nothing.
They led him inside, where Emily was waiting. She proceeded to hug her husband and express concern over his bruised face while being simultaneously furious with him. She looked like she’d been crying too.
“I just don’t understand you, sometimes,” Emily said as they moved into the front room. “What on earth did you think you were doing going there?”
“I just got angry,” he admitted. “I know it’s him. I know it.”
“You bloody idiot,” Emily said, inspecting his facial injuries. “You could have been seriously hurt.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Ugh, men!”
Darryl looked up. “You told me about his outburst when they took him away. You told me he said he would get his son back.”
“Okay, yes I did,” Emily replied with a groan. “But that was ages ago, and he was angry. He was probably just lashing out, saying whatever came into his head.”
“Are you sure about that?” Jon asked, choosing to dig a little deeper into that point.
“I don’t know. Yeah, maybe? I think so.”
“So you don’t think he took Milo?”
She hesitated. “I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it,” Kate said.
Emily shrugged. “Maybe I did.”
“Detective Pilgrim said he’s got two sons now,” Darryl told her.
“Two?” She looked at Jon expectantly.
“That’s right,” Jon confirmed. “One of them is about Milo’s age.”
“What? Milo’s age? How…?”
“He’d been having an affair with a Sherryl Simpson while dating you.”
“The little…” Emily bit her tongue. “Ugh, you know, I thought he was seeing someone at the time, but he always denied it. So, he admitted that to you?”
Jon nodded. “He kind of had to. I would have figured it out anyway. So he has two sons, an eight-year-old and a one-year-old.”
“A family,” she muttered, looking into the middle distance.
“That’s right.”
“I didn’t know that.” She seemed lost in thought as she weighed up this new information.
“Hmm.” Jon looked over at Darryl. “No more trips to see Jake or anyone else. We need to be searching for Milo not chasing after you. If you do it again, we will lock you up, got it?”
“Yeah, alright,” Darryl answered.
“Alright then, we’ll be going,” Jon said. “But if you think of anything new, be sure to let us know. Okay?”
“We will, thank you, Detective,” Darryl replied and showed them out. Emily joined him in saying goodbye, but she seemed distracted.
“She almost seemed upset,” Jon remarked to Kate as they got into his car.
“I think she might have been.”
“Something’s not right there. Why would she be upset over Jake now that she’s happily married to Darryl?”
Kate took a deep breath. “Because it’s changed how she views a major part of her life. She thought her life, at least the part with Jake, was one thing, when in fact, it was something else. I think I’d be upset if I found out an ex had been cheating on me while we w
ere dating without my knowledge.”
“Yeah, okay. Perhaps. Just strikes me as odd, is all. I’m not sure we’ve had the full story from her.”
“Yeah, maybe. You think she’s not telling us something?”
“I’m wondering if we need to bring her in and have a chat.”
“I think you need a little more to go on that just a hunch,” Kate replied.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. We need to have a think.”
“We need a solid lead, is what we need,” Kate replied. “We’ve got nothing right now. No prints, no witnesses and no suspects, just the complicated lives of Milo’s family, and that looks like it might bottom out at any moment.”
“I know, we’ve got piss all, and I don’t like it. Something doesn’t add up here, and I’ve no idea what it is.”
“Maybe Nathan is having more luck,” Kate suggested.
“Yeah, you never know. I’ll catch up with him later.”
“You don’t think… Nah, I’m being silly.”
“No, go on. There’s no stupid ideas, here.”
“Do you think Ariadne’s involved?”
“Aaah. Um, no. I don’t think so. Whatever agenda she’s following, I think it’s separate to this. I have to say, that’s not where I thought you were going.”
“And where did you think I was going?”
“I don’t know,” Jon said. “Travis, maybe? He was very dismissive of us, and he has been in trouble with the police before.”
“You think he’d kidnap Emily’s child?”
“I don’t know,” Jon admitted. “I’m not sure what his motive would be to do that, but maybe we need to get into his head more. Figure out how he felt about Emily and the kidnapping. She did leave him behind when she escaped.”
“She did. I suppose that could be traumatic. Depends on what happened to him while she was gone. Did the kidnapper punish him for letting Emily leave, and he’s nursed a hatred of her ever since, waiting for his moment to take revenge?”
“I’m just saying…”
“That’s some theory, that’s for sure.”
They chatted some more as they wound their way back to Horsley Station and made their way up to the SIU office, where Jon ditched his coat, only for Dion to knock on his door and poke his head into his side office.
