The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You

by Catherine Lambert

  “Did she take her mobile phone out with her?” he asked studying the image of Marney.

  “Yes; I have already said she phoned me.”

  “We have to be certain she used her own phone,” he pointed out.

  “Have you tried phoning her?” P.C. Clarke spoke for the first time.

  “Dozens of times, it just goes to the answering service.” Lydia sat down.

  “If you give me the number we can begin to check the calls and trace the phone. Our experts should be able to locate the G.P.S. location which will give us an idea of where your sister might be.”

  After more than an hour of questioning, Inspector Gordon surmised.

  “The majority of missing people find their own way home or are found with no further intervention. Also, I do not feel that your sister is vulnerable, or in urgent need of medication. It’s very difficult for us to look for her when you don’t know where she went, or who she went with.”

  “So, is that it; you’re not going to do anything. I know someone was bothering her when she called me last night,” Lydia re-called.

  “Why didn’t you mention that before?” P.C. Clarke asked sharply.

  “I forgot; and we’ve had two packages left anonymously on the step at night. The police were here earlier,” Lydia felt foolish for not revealing the facts sooner.

  “I think we’d better start again Mrs. Nevin; or can I call you Lydia?”

  she nodded her agreement.

  “So, tell me what happened earlier,” he prompted her to explain.

  Starting from when Marney suspected someone was in the house to the previous police visit, Lydia relayed the course of events and this time, omitted no relevant details.

  “Do you know this person who left the packages?” P.C. Adams asked the question.

  “No, I’m sorry I don’t; I didn’t believe Marney when she said someone was in the house. Now I’m beginning to think she was right.”

  The Inspector now turned and spoke to P.C. Clarke, addressing her by her christian name.

  Lydia strained to hear the conversation, but only managed to make out the odd word. As they continued their discussion, Lydia suddenly remembered the name of one of Marney’s friends.

  “Maddie,” she spoke aloud. P.C. Clarke turned to face Lydia with a surprised expression on her face.

  “One of Marney’s friends is named Maddie, Maddie West; she was out with her last night,” Lydia revealed.

  “Right, at last we’ve got something to go on. Do you have Maddie’s mobile number?” the Inspector asked hopefully.

  “No, she’s Marney’s friend the number will be on her phone.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be able to trace her, it’ll just take a bit longer. Now, are there any restaurants that your sister visited regularly?” he now asked.

  “To be honest since Marney’s daughter was born she’s only been out a few times. We both work full-time, and we’re generally too tired to have a social life,” Lydia smiled for the first time in hours.

  “These packages you said were left on the step; what did they contain?” P.C. Clarke asked.

  “The first one was a teddy bear for Heidi, and the second one’s there,” she pointed to an unopened parcel wrapped in brown paper.

  “Perhaps you should open it?” the Inspector suggested.

  Lydia hesitated momentarily, then stood up and began to remove the outer layer. The opened package revealed a small soft-bodied doll dressed in a romper suit and bootees. A white envelope was beneath the doll; Lydia opened it and read it aloud.

  “Hope she likes the doll.”

  “Was there any communication with the previous gift?”

  “Just a note referring to Heidi’s birthday; Marney put them both in the bin.”

  After careful consideration, Inspector Gordon spoke.

  “I really don’t think these gifts relate to Marney’s disappearance; I think it’s innocent.” He paused and then added.

  “I’ve not heard you mention the child’s father.”

  To prevent further complications, Lydia decided to cite Dan Gerrity as the father.

  “He died; you may know his name, Dan Gerrity, and I’m surprised you didn’t recognise mine.”

  “I know the name, his wife died in tragic circumstances,” he acknowledged.

  Lydia felt her heart rate quicken and wished she hadn’t mentioned his name.

  “My son was killed in a hit and run accident at the same time Marney was involved with Dan Gerrity, who also died in tragic circumstances,” she added brazenly.

  “Unless we can make a connection, it’s unlikely that the past has contributed to your sister’s disappearance,” Inspector Gordon said.

  “So, what happens now?” Lydia asked.

  “You’ll need to come to the station to complete a missing persons form, and then we’ll check Marney’s phone and contact her friend Maddie. When we know where she spent the evening, we’ll survey the C.C.T.V for any sightings of her. If she doesn’t turn up in the next seventy-two hours, we have to inform The Missing Person’s Bureau.”

  Lydia’s expression became taut with fear at the thought of her sister still being missing for three days.

  “Are you alright Lydia?” the inspector asked.

  “It doesn’t seem real; I keep expecting her to burst in through the door with a feeble excuse for her absence.”

  “It’s a traumatic time but be assured we will be doing everything we can to trace her. Before we go, I have to ask a few more questions concerning Marney’s state of mind.”

  Lydia looked up with a surprised expression on her face but did not comment.

  “The Police force are advised to consider ‘missing’ as an indicator of a problem in someone’s life, rather than an event in itself,” he attempted to explain.

  “I don’t completely understand what you are implying Inspector, but my sister has no more problems in her life than any other young mother,”

  “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, but those are not my words; I am advised to recite them,” he spoke apologetically.

  Ignoring his remark, she glared past him at an imaginary point on the wallpaper.

  “I think we’ve covered everything now, unless you have any further questions?”

  “What are the chances of her being found alive?” Lydia asked in a trembling voice.

  “She’ll be fine; I wouldn’t be surprised if she returns before the day’s out,” he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but Lydia was not pacified.

  After several more irrelevant questions, Lydia closed the front door and dashed upstairs. It was almost six thirty in the morning, but Heidi was still fast asleep. Succumbing to extreme fatigue, she made her way down the stairs and switched the kettle on. With a comforting cup of tea in her hand, she sank wearily onto the sofa as tears of immense grief flowed unchecked down her face. Her heart skipped a beat at the prospect of letting family and friends know what had happened to Marney. Wiping tears from her eyes, she picked up her mobile phone to call her mother.

  CHAPTER SIX

  She was tied to a bed, just able to twist her restrained body from side to side, but unable to free herself. A throbbing pain in her head intensified with each movement forcing her to lie still. Her body dipped into a hollow in the old mattress as she struggled to loosen the bounds that held her captive. The room was in semi-darkness as the morning sun began to rise and a cacophony of bird song filled the air. Squinting into the semi-darkness, Marney detected no movement or presence of human company. Unaware of how she had come to be in this predicament, she arched her back, thrust her body in an upwards motion and cried out. Her cries for help echoed through the confined space, but silence ensued. Through a gap in the curtains a shaft of light shone through illuminating dancing particles of dust, and a grime encrusted patch of carpet. Glancing around the confines of her prison, it now became clear that she was inside a caravan. There was a small kitchen area to the left of her, and a sitting area at the front of the
bed. Still scanning the interior of the caravan, her heart pounded in terror at the sound of a key turning in a lock, and a hooded figure stood in the doorway with a box in his hand. Although his face was partially obscured from the rim of his hood, there was something disturbingly familiar about him. As he approached the bed, her suspicions were confirmed. Surprisingly, the terror that had engulfed her washed away, but she still feared for her safety as he stood over her with a grin on his face.

  “I thought you might be hungry, so I’ve brought you some breakfast,” he opened the box and placed it on a small table by the side of the bed.

  Marney decided to remain silent and turned her head away from him.

  “I’ve got nothing to do today, so I can sit here and talk to you,” he pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed with his arms folded across his chest. His remark provoked the expected reaction as Marney turned to face him.

  “You’d better let me go,” she spat the words in his direction.

  “Or what?” he began to tap his foot rhythmically on the floor.

  “I’ll scream until someone hears me,” she gritted her teeth and glared at him, her eyes blazing with rage and hatred.

  “There’s no one else here but me and you; now isn’t that romantic?” he continued to grin.

  “Let me go,” Marney screamed and thrashed her body from side to side in frustration and then fell silent as warm fluid trickle down her forehead dripped into her eyes.

  “Now look what you’ve done,” he shook his head and stood up. “I shall have to clean you up again.”

  He turned his back, opened a cupboard above the sink and took a first aid box from a shelf. Resisting every attempt he made to clear the blood from her face, Marney squirmed and twisted as tears of terror and hopelessness fell uncontrollably down her cheeks. A grimace of anger flashed across his face as he pinched the delicate flesh on her tear-stained cheek giving it a peevish twist.

  Marney let out a piercing scream as her eyes widened in fear, and excruciating pain seared through her face.

  “Now we understand each other I’m going to untie you Marney, but if you try to escape or attack me I’ll lock you in that cupboard, O.K?” he pointed to a small door at the far end of the caravan which appeared to be no larger than a small dog kennel. He spoke with his fingers still squeezing her stinging cheek as she nodded her head gently in agreement. Leaning over her helpless body, he cut the ropes from her arms as her body shook with sobs. Marney now realised that the amiable personality he had previously depicted was a facade; he was a vicious and devious individual whom she feared was capable of unthinkable cruelty. As he released the last rope from her ankles, he dragged her from the bed and pushed her into a hard-backed chair next to him. Fearing what he was going to do next she didn’t resist. With her held bowed she stared at the floor nervously squeezing her hands together. Not daring to question him, she remained silent until he finally spoke to her.

  “We need to have a long talk,” he began.

  “What do you want from me?” Marney’s voice trembled as she continued to stare at a patch of filthy carpet.

  He leapt from his seat and tugged her hair forcefully causing her head to jolt backwards. Wincing in pain, Marney glared at him her face taut with rage, but she did not cry out. It was at this point that she studied his facial features. He was older than she had first imagined; perhaps in his early thirties. His greasy lank hair brushed the shoulders of his filthy waxed jacket, but he was surprisingly handsome with deep brown eyes and an angular jaw. Unshaven with a wispy beard and moustache, his engaging features concealed a sinister personality. Avoiding his intense gaze once again, he knelt beside her and squeezed her chin between his thumb and fore-finger forcing her to look at him.

  “What do I want from you?” he repeated her question through gritted teeth spraying beads of saliva into her face.

  “I want you to show me the respect I deserve,” he sprang to his feet and began to pace up and down the small carpeted area as Marney watched in terrified anticipation. Without warning, he dragged her to her feet and flung her onto the bed. Drawing close, he began to stoke her hair and smile as he looked into her terrified eyes.

  “Please don’t,” she begged.

  “That’s not what you said last time,” he replied as he slowly moved his hands and began to caress her neck.

  “I don’t know you; what do you mean?” she attempted to push him away, but he grasped her wrist and held it firmly by her side. Marney attempted to scream but he clamped a hand over her mouth as he slid his free hand over her breasts and under her skirt.

  “If you try to scream I’ll hurt you; do you understand?” he pinched the tender flesh of her inner thigh to reiterate the threat. Marney’s eyes were wide with terror as she nodded. Tears welled in the corner of her eyes as he moved his hand between her legs and roughly removed her underwear. As he lay on top of her, her entire body tensed up and she grimaced in pain as he entered her. The weight of his body and his hot breath on her skin were unbearable and she struggled desperately beneath him. She would never forget the crushing humiliation as he kissed her flesh and rolled his tongue over her breasts. With her head turned to one side and her eyes screwed tightly closed, she whimpered and projected herself away from the horror of the situation and imagined Heidi’s smiling face before her. Thankfully it was over in a few minutes and he rolled over and dressed. Marney sobbed and turned away trying to cover her semi-naked body with the duvet as she heard the buckle on his jeans click in place.

  When he was fully-dressed, he tugged her shoulder forcing her onto her back. Refusing to look at him she stared at the ceiling as he spoke.

  “I have to go now; I’ll be back in a few hours,” he turned his back on her, picked up his jacket and walked slowly towards the door. Marney leapt from the bed and picked up one of her shoes. With it clutched tightly in her hand, she charged towards him and thrust the six-inch heel into the back of his skull. Sinking to his knees as blood spurted from the wound, his eyes rolled back into his head before he dropped to the floor. As if woken from a trance Marney stared in horror as he lay motionless before her. Cautiously, she bent down, reached out her hand and felt for a pulse. It was there but very weak. Rushing back to the bed, she rummaged through her handbag and retrieved her phone from the clutter. Shaking and terrified she keyed in 999 and waited for a response. In an obviously traumatised tone, she eventually managed to speak

  “There’s been an accident; I don’t know where I am,” she began.

  She listened to the operator and then replied.

  “He’s not dead, but his pulse is very weak.”

  “I don’t know where I am, I was abducted. Can’t you trace this call?” she sobbed.

  She listened again; then began to cry.

  Through her tears, she tried to explain what had happened, but her words made no sense and in frustration and panic she stabbed the call end button and sank down on the bed. Perched on the edge of the bed, she stared at the injured man who now began to moan and thrash around. Instinctively she stood up, dropped her phone into her handbag and glanced furtively around in search of anything she might have overlooked. One of her earrings was on the filthy pillow and she snatched it and dropped it in her handbag. As she did so, she glimpsed something wedged between the mattress and the wall. Leaning over, she tugged it free and stared in horror at the object in her hand. Her heart pounded, and she began to tremble as she stared at Heidi’s favourite pink teddy. Unable to comprehend how it had come to be in his possession, she placed it carefully into her bag. Fearing her attacker would regain consciousness, she quickly pulled on her underwear, straightened her clothes and slipped her coat over her shoulders. Taking a last look around, she grabbed her bag and inched her way bare-foot towards the door. Letting out a cry of terror as she passed him, she flung open the caravan door and bolted along a rough path ignoring the pain from the sharp pebbles that stabbed her feet and cut into her flesh. Without looking back, she ran until her leg muscles
burned and her heart hammered in her chest. At the end of the path she stopped and dropped to the ground. Her entire body shook as she sobbed and struggled to catch her breath. She was on the perimeter of a field where the caravan was located, and in the distance, it was still visible. Desperate to be out of view of it, she struggled to her feet and glanced around. An open gate led to an adjacent field and she proceeded in that direction. All around her was open countryside and she became over-whelmed with an intense sense of panic. With no idea of where she was or where she was heading, she began to run through the soft wet grass blinded by her tears.

  In the middle of the field she stopped suddenly and fell to her knees, laughing and crying at the same time. Emptying the contents of her handbag amongst the damp grass, she grabbed her mobile phone and scrolled down her contacts. Crying out loud, she tapped the screen on Lydia’s number; then screamed at the ‘no signal’ symbol.

  “No, no, no,” she beat her fists into the earth, curled into a tight ball and wept.

  How long she remained in this pitiful state she could not tell, but the sound of a car door closing nearby roused her and she sat upright turning her head in every direction. Terror spurred her to her feet at the sight of a figure with a hood pulled tightly over his head, hurrying in her direction. With just a few hundred yards between them, she darted blindly across the grass and crashed through a gap in the hedge. Not daring to look behind her she sprinted wildly along a narrow lane until she reached a junction. Taking a left turning, she could make out the outline of several buildings and ran towards them. With immense relief, she realised the buildings were a row of terraced cottages. Terrified for her life she pushed open the gate of the first cottage and banged frantically on the front door, begging to be let in. Her raucous cries and incessant banging procured the desired effect as the door opened and a middle-aged man with a scowl on his face stared into her desperate face.

  “Please let me in, please,” she begged as tears fell relentlessly down her filthy face.

  The man looked past her and Marney turned her head. He was standing in the lane with his shoulders hunched and dried blood visible on his jacket.