As the early morning sun spread rays of light through the cracks in the wooden barn, Tom Anderson lay on his back deep in thought. Lack of sleep intensified his feelings of angst, and hunger pains gnawed at his stomach as he sat upright and sighed deeply. In desperate need of food, he descended the ladder and crept cautiously outside the barn. A chill in the air caused him to shiver as he pulled the collar of his jacket around his neck. With no idea of where he was heading he continued to walk along the uneven path he had taken on the previous day. At the end of the path he turned left where he noticed a row of white-washed terraced cottages coming into view. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he paused and glanced up and down the lane several times. Although it was very early in the morning, he couldn’t be certain that no-one would be around. With an uneasy sensation that he was being watched, he lowered his head and took a step forward walking as quickly as possible without breaking into a run. As he approached the last cottage a man’s voice caused him to stop and look up.
“Morning; you’re up early,” an elderly man was emptying rubbish into a wheelie bin at the front of the property.
Without making eye contact Tom spoke.
“Heading into town, busy day,” he walked quickly away from the man.
“You’re going the wrong way sonny,” he called out.
Tom stopped and froze to the spot. He would have to go back and ask for directions. Turning slowly, he walked briskly and stopped a few feet from the front of the property.
“I took the wrong turning at the top of the lane, I’m still half asleep,” he looked up momentarily.
“You should have turned left. Haven’t seen you around here before,” the old man continued the conversation, but Tom was anxious and afraid of being identified.
“I’m local. Thanks for your help,” he retraced his steps not daring to look over his shoulder. At the top of the lane he turned in the right direction and sighed with relief. The sun was now higher in the sky and he could feel the warmth of its rays on his face. In desperate need of food, he quickened his pace hoping the lane would shortly come to an end. Ten minutes later, he faced the same dilemma. Peering into the distance he glimpsed rows of roof tops and headed in that direction. It was now eight thirty as he strode along a passageway on the outskirts of the town. After a few minutes he began to recognise familiar buildings and roads and realised he had arrived in Becton. Knowing police presence would be heightened, he kept to the backstreets in his search for a place to eat where he could mingle in and not attract any unnecessary attention. A few minutes later, the unmistakable aroma of freshly fried bacon drifted in his direction. Following the mouth-watering aroma led him to a small but popular café filled with diners. Studying the menu on a board by the entrance, he decided on a full English, and approached the counter. Taking a seat in a slightly obscured corner table, he sat and awaited his meal as his stomach grumbled and his moth watered. The ten-minute wait seemed more like an hour and when his meal finally arrived, he ate with such ferocity he suffered indigestion. Washing down the last mouthful with a swallow of tea, he wiped his mouth, leaned back in his seat and sighed. Reenergised and feeling more positive, he left the café and again, kept to the quieter back streets as he headed in the direction of Lydia’s home.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
As Tom Anderson loitered in the back streets of Becton, Jake Nevin was on the way to the airport to collect his estranged wife and daughter. Although he was looking forward to seeing his daughter again, he did not relish the thought of enlightening Maria on the reconciliation with his ex-wife.
Marney had taken Heidi to see her grandparents, and Lydia was enjoying having the house to herself. After a short trip into town, she intended to carry out a pregnancy test but for now, she was going to take a long soak in the bath and enjoy the luxury of solitude. Twenty minutes later and with a towel covering her breasts, Lydia stood in front of the mirror and brushed her short hair. The silence in the house unnerved her and she turned suddenly at the sound of a car door slamming in the street. Cursing her nervousness, she dropped the towel to the floor and opened the wardrobe door. After dressing in a dark green skirt and white blouse, she draped a cardigan over her shoulders and left the room. As she descended the stairs, she paused half way down and listened in the silence. Uncertain as to what she had heard, she leaned over the bannister and peered into the kitchen. Fearing she was losing control as her breathing quickened and her heart pounded in her chest, she clasped a hand over her mouth to stifle a cry at the sound of a door closing below her.
“Marney is that you?” her voice quivered with emotion as she strained to hear any further sounds in the kitchen. Realising it must have come from somewhere outside the house, she took a step forward and listened again. Breathing a sigh of relief, she moved down the stairs and stood in the kitchen doorway. Glancing around it was clear that no one had been in there, it was just as she had left it before her bath. Picking up the kettle, she took it to the sink and filled it. As she replaced the lid, a hand grasped her mouth and she dropped the kettle to the floor. Struggling to release the firm hand, she heard a voice she recognised.
“I’m going to take my hand away now Lydia, but if you scream, I’ll hurt you,” Tom Anderson threatened. With the hand released she turned slowly around and stifled a cry. Shall we sit down, or shall I tie you to a chair. Without speaking, she gently lowered herself into a chair without taking her eyes from the despised man.
“I wish this could have been more civilised, but you didn’t reply to any of my letters. That’s very rude Lydia. Now you are going to listen to me without interruption. Do you understand?” he raised his eyebrows.
Without speaking, she nodded her head.
“I’m going to sit here opposite you, so I can look into your eyes while I’m talking to you,” he pulled out a chair and sat down.
“How did you get in here?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“I just opened the door and walked in,” he grinned. “You really should lock your doors Lydia, there are some nasty people around. Now please be quiet, I don’t have a lot of time,” he added.
“If you had bothered to read my letters you would know that I am a reformed man,” he paused, and Lydia studied his face. He looked different with a beard, and she wondered if she would have recognised him a crowd. His face was thinner, and wisps of grey were visible in his hair and sideburns. She despised him, and the thought that she had slept with him repulsed her.
“I’m not interested in anything you’ve got to say,” she stood up.
“Sit down Lydia, you will listen to me. Don’t think I won’t hurt you, because I will. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Lowering herself slowly into her seat, Lydia glared at him, but was not intimidated by his empty threats.
“I never intended to kill your son, it was an accident,” he began but Lydia would not allow him to continue.
“If you have an accident, you stop and try to help the injured people. Don’t you dare try and defend your actions,” Lydia lunged forward.
“I had a lot to lose, but now I realise I was wrong,” he lowered his voice.
“I lost everything you selfish bastard. Don’t you dare talk about my son,” she leapt to her feet.
“Sit down Lydia,” he ordered.
“No, this is my house, now get out,” she stood her ground.
The sound of the front door opening caused Anderson to spin around as Marney entered the room with Heidi in her arms.
“Oh my god,” she held her daughter close to her body.
“Phone the police sis, do it now,” Lydia called out.
In a split second, Marney grabbed her phone from her bag and backed out of the room. Tapping the keys, she managed to enter 999 before Tom Anderson rushed towards her. She only had time to give her address before he snatched the phone from her and smashed it against the wall.
“Into the kitchen now Marney,” he ordered.
Heidi began to cry, and she attempted to p
acify the frightened girl as Anderson pushed her towards the kitchen.
“Get your hands off me,” she pulled away from him.
“You always were a feisty one, weren’t you?” he smirked.
“And you were always a liar,” she pushed past him.
“Are you alright sis,” she stood behind Lydia and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Lydia squeezed it and replied.
“I’m fine, did you get through to the police?” she whispered.
“I managed to give them out address, so they won’t be long.”
As she spoke, the sound of police sirens wailing in the distance caused Anderson to look up. Within minutes, three police cars turned into the cul-de-sac and pulled up outside the house. Lydia’s mobile rang out and she stood up to retrieve it from her handbag.
“Don’t answer it,” Anderson warned as she took it from her bag.
Ignoring him she spoke.
“Hello, this is Lydia Nevin,” before she could speak another word, Anderson snatched the mobile from her hands.
“This is Tom Anderson. I have a gun and I will not hesitate to use it if you attempt to enter this house.” Pressing the call end button, he dropped the phone into his pocket and ordered the sisters to sit down.
“We need to get out of this house,” Anderson drummed his fingers on the surface of the table. He was clearly agitated by the presence of the police outside the property.
“On your feet, and get your car keys Marney,” he gestured with his hands.
“Where are we going, Heidi will need something to eat,” Marney protested.
“Here, give her that,” he took a banana from the fruit bowl.
“We’ll never get away, the police are outside,” Lydia pointed out the obvious.
“Shut up Lydia and let me think,” he began to pace around the room.
Before he reached a decision, Lydia’s phone rang out in his pocket. Snatching at it he answered the call.
“To repeat myself, I’m armed. I’m coming out of the house now with the sisters and the child. If you make any attempt to approach me, I will use the gun. Do you understand,” he threatened as he ended the call.
“On your feet, we’re leaving,” he ushered them towards the front door.
Outside three police cars were lined up at the side of the road. Two officers were positioned on the opposite side of the road, one of whom was speaking on a phone. Tom Anderson reached into a pocket of his jacket and produced a handgun, the sight of which caused Lydia to whimper. With it pointed at her head, he pushed her forward.
“You too Marney, hurry up,” his tone was harsh but tinged with fear.
The car was parked in the drive behind a thick privet hedge and Marney fumbled inside her bag in search of her keys. Her hands shook so violently that she dropped them on to the pebbled driveway.
“I can’t open the door with Heidi in my arms,” she turned to Anderson.
“Give them to me,” he held out his hand.
With the door open, Marney secured her daughter in the car seat and took her place in the driver’s seat. Lydia took a seat next to Heidi as Anderson took the passenger seat with the gun still visibly pointing at Lydia.
“Drive Marney,” he ordered.
“Where to,” she asked turning the key in the ignition and carefully reversing out of the drive.
“Where do you want me to drive to?” Marney raised her voice as she faltered at the end of the road.
“Turn left, and just keep going.”
After ten minutes of silence, Marney asked for further directions.
“Drive to the cemetery where Adam is buried,” he spoke quietly, but Lydia heard him.
“No, you’re not going to my son’s grave. That’s all I’ve got left, I won’t allow you to go there,” she began to cry.
“Drive Marney,” he ignored Lydia’s pleas.
“I’m sorry sis,” Marney glanced in the mirror at her sister’s tear-stained face.
Ten minutes later, Marney brought the car to a halt out the cemetery gates.
“Pull into the car-park,” he ordered.
Reluctantly, she drove slowly through the gates and into a parking space.
“I’ll get Heidi’s pushchair out of the boot, it’s too far to carry her, and she’s tired.” Lydia looked in the mirror at her sister.
“Don’t try anything Lydia,” Anderson warned.
“I’m only getting the pushchair,” she snapped at him.
With the boot open Lydia took the pushchair from the back and opened it out.
She was about to close the boot when she noticed a wheel-brace on top of the spare wheel. Dropping it in the storage at the bottom of the pushchair, she placed the storm apron over the top of it, closed the boot and wheeled the pushchair to the side of the car. Marney strapped Heidi into the seat and pushed her to the front of the car.
“Lead the way Lydia, and remember I still have a gun,” Anderson shoved her in the back prompting her to move forward. Deliberately heading in the wrong direction Marney glanced at her sister. Shaking her head and glimpsing sideways at Anderson, Marney nodded knowingly.
“How much further?” Anderson asked.
“A few more minutes,” Lydia replied without looking in his direction.
After a few more minutes of silence, Anderson called out.
“Just stop Lydia,” his voice was tinged with anger as he strode forward.
“I think you’re leading me in the wrong direction,” he breathed deeply and flared his nostrils.
“I’m not,” she shook her head. “It’s just around the next bend,” she replied calmly.
“Right, I’ll lead the way,” he pushed past her.
Lydia experienced a rush of anxiety pulse through her body as Anderson rounded the bend and spun around to face her.
“There’s nothing here, it’s just wasteland,” he glanced over his shoulder.
“Stop plating games Lydia,” he took his gun from his pocket and pushed it into Marney’s back causing her to let out a cry of terror.
“Now lead the way,” he gestured with his hand.
“It’s quicker to go across the field, but it’s a bit uneven,” Lydia manoeuvred the pushchair past Anderson trying not to look At Marney’s terrified face.
Keeping to the perimeter of the field, Lydia struggled as the wheels of the pushchair jarred on unseen bricks. She continued for several minutes before pausing to glance in Anderson’s direction where the land tapered off to a steep decline. Unaware of the danger, he continued at a steady pace. In a split second he stumbled and rolled down the slope. Marney dashed towards her sister and flung her arms around her.
“Are you O.K.? sis,” Marney pulled away.
“Yes, but I don’t know where he is,” she turned in the direction of where Anderson had stumbled.
“We’d better go and look,” Lydia said.
“He’s still got a gun sis, be careful,” she warned following her sister.
As Lydia approached the point where Anderson had fallen she leaned forwards and gasped.
“I think he’s dead,” she looked up at Marney.
Marney walked slowly towards her and peered over the edge.
Amidst a pile of old and cracked head stones, Tom Anderson lay on his back with eyes open, there could be no doubt about his death. Blood had spread from a gaping wound in his head and collected in a small pool by his side.
“We’d better phone the police and an ambulance,” Marney took her phone from her pocket and punched in 999.
Amidst a cacophony of police sirens and a wailing ambulance, the scene was soon crawling with police officer and paramedics. A cordon was placed around the area where Anderson had fallen, and a team of forensic officers examined the body and the immediate vicinity. How much time had passed Lydia and Marney could not tell, but eventually the body was covered and taken to an ambulance as the familiar figure of Inspector Gordon approached the sisters.”
“We met again ladies under suspicious circu
mstances,” he spoke in a condescending tone as looked over his spectacles.
“I hope you’re not suggesting we had anything to do with this?” Lydia took a step forward.
“What am I supposed to think?”
“He broke into our home and he had a gun. He forced Marney to drive here, he wanted to see my son’s grave, God knows why. He held a gun to Marney’s back, and then he tripped over there,” she waved a hand in the direction.
“The gun was a fake,” he pointed out.
“That doesn’t make any difference. As far as we were concerned, he was armed and capable of using it.
“You can go now, I’ll get one of my officers to drive you home.”
“My cars in the car-park, but could we have a lift there?” Marney asked.]
“Of course. I’ll need you to make statements, but I’m sure you know the procedure,” he smiled for the first time then beckoned a uniformed officer who appeared to be standing around watching the scene before him.
A few minutes later, Marney packed the pushchair into the back of the police car and took her seat at the back next to Lydia. No words were spoken until they arrive at the car-park.
“Did you witness the accident, or whatever it was?” the officer glanced in the mirror at Lydia.
“That’s exactly what is was. Thank you for the lift,” Lydia opened the car door and stepped outside. Marney carried Heidi in her arms and Lydia carried the pushchair. Inside the car, Marney turned to her sister.
“Did you intend to use that wheel brace?” she asked.
“Only if I had to.”
“Can you imagine what would have happened if the police had seen it sis?” Marney was angry.
“Well they didn’t, did they, let’s go,” Lydia clicked her seat belt in position and stared ahead.
The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You Page 23
