STALKER ON THE FENS a gripping crime thriller full of twists

by Joy Ellis

  Joseph laughed. ‘Helen is an aromatherapist, not a Voodoo priestess! Her clients will be ordinary people like you and me. And she’s your friend, Nikki. She’d be devastated if you weren’t at her opening party.’

  ‘I know, I know. Why do you think I’m suffering in high heels and a fixed grin?’ She smiled at Joseph, ‘And of course I wouldn’t let her down, this is just as much a celebration of her surviving the accident as it is the opening of her own clinic.’

  ‘Well, I’m driving, so you let your hair down for once. Chill out and have a few drinks with an old friend, okay?’

  ‘Message received and understood. Just don’t let me get buttonholed by any oddballs.’

  * * *

  ‘Nikki! Joseph! You made it! Knowing what your dreadful shifts are like, Andrew and I were taking bets on whether you’d have to cry off.’ Helen Brook stood at the open front door. She was a tall, slim woman with huge, bovine eyes and a heart-shaped face framed by short dark hair cut into a wispy uneven style. ‘I’m so pleased you are here.’

  Seeing the wide smile and perceiving Helen’s genuine pleasure, Nikki felt a stab of guilt at complaining so bitterly about making the effort. ‘We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ she lied, and felt Joseph’s elbow nudge her ribs. ‘And look at you! No crutches? No stick?’

  Helen stepped forward and hugged them both. ‘Finally I’ve ditched them. And now I feel halfway to normal again.’

  Nikki hugged her back. ‘Well, you look incredible.’

  ‘Physically I’m doing great, but inside I’m not too sure. That’s the really hard part.’ The bright smile dimmed.

  ‘Hey, enough of that! What would you tell your patients? You know better than anyone, the bones are the easy bit, but the mind takes a whole lot longer. But you’ll get there, Helen, I promise you. If ever there was a fighter, it’s you.’ Nikki held her at arm’s length and grinned at her. ‘And now, lead me to the goodies! The sausage rolls, the nibbles, the cheese straws, the vino!’

  Helen laughed. ‘You’re right. Some welcome! Come on in and meet everyone. I still can’t believe we’ve actually got everything together at last.’

  ‘So when do you open, officially?’ asked Joseph.

  Nikki noticed a slight hesitation before Helen answered.

  ‘Oh, I’ve just got a few things to sort out before I can take off full-time. I’m already seeing a few of my old regulars from the Willows Clinic where I used to work. You know, special clients, ones who suffer if I neglect them for too long.’

  ‘This place looks fantastic, Helen!’ Nikki slipped an arm through her friend’s and they moved into the spacious hallway. ‘So what does Andrew think of it all? I haven’t seen him for ages.’

  Again there was a hesitation and Nikki heard the vaguest sound of alarm bells ringing in the distance. She’s nervous, and I don’t think it’s anything to do with this party.

  ‘Oh, he’s over the moon, naturally. And he’s so supportive. He said to apologise to you. He’ll be here soon.’ She gave a short laugh, ‘Usual thing, something came up just as he was about to leave work.’ Helen turned to Joseph. ‘And I’m giving you a warning. He’s found some fantastic IT program that he wants to talk to you about. Something that he’s certain will revolutionise your police computer. That’s if it needs revolutionising of course. Anyway, I’m apologising in advance. You know how passionate he is when it comes to his beloved computer systems.’ She ushered them towards the kitchen. ‘Now, what are you two drinking?’

  Nikki watched Helen as she poured their drinks. She was talking far too fast, her voice much too bright. Something was decidedly wrong.

  Joseph whispered to her. ‘You’re being a detective again, Galena, not a jolly partygoer. What’s the matter?’

  ‘Sorry? Oh, it’s nothing. Just thinking.’

  Helen handed her a glass of cold white wine and Joseph a tumbler of juice.

  ‘There are some really interesting people here that I’d like to introduce you to . . . oh, sorry, that’s the door. You circulate, I’ll catch you up in a minute.’

  ‘Saved by the bell,’ murmured Joseph. ‘You looked horrified at the thought of meeting those “interesting” people.’

  ‘I hoped it didn’t show.’

  ‘Well, I noticed. If you don’t fancy mingling, let’s go have a sneaky nose around this amazing place.’

  For the next half hour Helen caught up with her guests, and apart from a few polite words here and there, Nikki successfully avoided any deep, meaningful conversations.

  Joseph brought her a top-up, sat down on a stylish new sofa and looked around. ‘This must have cost an absolute fortune. Apart from its location on the river, it’s been refurbished from top to bottom, by skilled craftsmen from the look of it.’

  Nikki shook her head. ‘Plus all the treatment room stuff, the massage tables and gallons of expensive aromatherapy essential oils. And that gorgeous conservatory that leads to the Japanese garden. But then again, I guess the compensation for having practically lost your legs, having half your head caved in and being scarred for life could be considerable, couldn’t it?’

  Joseph nodded. ‘It has to be that, doesn’t it? The last I heard, Andrew was struggling financially, so he’s probably not making much of a contribution.’

  Nikki sipped her drink. ‘I don’t think that’s the case anymore. He’s had some sort of promotion, or so Helen says. With lots of overtime, which means lots of wonga, so maybe his luck has changed.’ Her brow wrinkled in distaste. ‘What on earth are you eating?’

  ‘Sushi. It’s delicious.’

  ‘I’ll take your word for that.’ She picked up a large chunk of ocean-green calcite crystal from the table and stared at it. She passed the glassy rock specimen from hand to hand and felt the coolness of it on her skin. ‘I really like these crystals. They are supposed to relax you, aren’t they? Maybe I should get one?’

  ‘Unless they sell them in industrial sizes, like by the hundredweight, I doubt there will be one big enough.’

  ‘Smart-arse. I’m well known in some circles for my calm diplomacy and gentle manner.’

  Joseph spluttered into his drink. ‘Not any circle I’ve ever been in.’

  Nikki’s smile faded and she said, ‘Joseph, do you think Helen is okay? She seems a bit, well, uneasy, don’t you think?’

  ‘Ah, now we come to what is really worrying you. You’ve felt like that since Helen opened the door, haven’t you?’

  ‘Well spotted, Detective. But what do you think?’

  ‘She’s twitchy, and pretty on edge. I thought it might be because of the stress of being the perfect hostess, well, more to the point, the lone hostess. If you think it’s more than that, go talk to her, she’s just left a group of people. Get her to yourself for a moment or two.’

  ‘Okay, and as I just saw Andrew’s Beemer draw up, why don’t you hunt him down and keep him occupied while I see what I can find out.’

  For a moment she watched him as he made his way across the room. Joseph had said that he hated small talk and social gatherings, but it didn’t look like it. He had the ability to seem at ease in any situation. Mixing with villains or VIPs, it made no difference to Joseph. She envied him his chameleon quality, because she was always the same. Whatever she was wearing, Nikki the police officer was never off-duty. She exhaled, then crossed the room and sat down close to Helen. ‘Okay, sister. Spill the beans. What’s wrong?’

  For a moment there was silence, then the cheerful veneer crumbled. ‘Nikki, I’m so worried. I think I’m being followed.’

  The DI slid deftly in to replace the good friend. ‘Is there somewhere we can talk without being overheard?’

  ‘Maybe it’s time I showed you the Japanese garden. I’ll get our coats.’

  A few moments later, they sat huddled together on a wooden bench beside the water garden. Brightly coloured fish flitted between the gently moving fronds of underwater plants. Their orange and scarlet was iridescent in the glow of the sen
sor lights.

  ‘Okay. Do you know who is watching you?’

  Helen shook her head. ‘I’ve never seen him close to. It’s more that I sense someone, rather than actually see him. He’s a shadowy figure that disappears when I try to look at him. It’s creepy, but I know he’s there.’

  ‘Where have you seen him?’

  ‘Here mainly, over by the river walk and in that wilderness of a garden through the gate over there.’ She gestured to a big heavy wooden gate set in the wall behind them. ‘And at the Willows Clinic, and in Tesco’s car park.’ She bit her lower lip. ‘And once when I took a walk along the river at the Tumby Fenside bird reserve, I swear I saw him there too.’

  ‘What does Andrew think?’

  ‘Oh, you know Andrew. He’s got microchips instead of blood. He’s unbelievably clever, but he hasn’t got a clue when it comes to anything like this.’

  ‘You mean he thinks you are imagining it?’

  ‘Probably. But that’s not all, Nikki. I . . . I need to ask you something about the accident.’

  Nikki frowned. ‘Sure. What’s bothering you?’

  ‘When you found me, I was alone, wasn’t I?’

  Where the hell was this going? ‘Yes. You were quite alone. Why?’

  Helen stared into the clear cold water. ‘I’ve been remembering things. Just little things. The doctors said it might happen.’

  Nikki would have to tread warily. ‘And have you remembered something that’s worrying you?’

  ‘I don’t understand, Nikki. You say I was alone, but I’m sure someone else was there, speaking to me. I remember someone in the darkness. They said, “Is anyone there?”’

  ‘But that was me.’

  ‘No it wasn’t. This was just after the wall collapsed. Long before you found me.’

  Nikki looked at her intently. ‘Surely it was all a bit of a blur, Helen? You were so badly hurt. It must have been me, or maybe Joseph.’

  ‘It was a man’s voice, but not Joseph. And you two kept saying, “Hello!” and “It’s the police. Where are you? Are you hurt?”’

  It was exactly what they’d said. ‘So what else do you remember?’

  ‘Not much, just a huge feeling of relief that I was not alone.’

  Nikki leaned forward and touched her friend’s hand. ‘Helen? This has to be some kind of memory glitch. Joseph and I were first on the scene, and I promise you, you were alone. There was no one with you. That basement was cleared afterwards, no traces of anyone else were found. If it wasn’t Joseph or I that you remember, maybe your mind needed to invent someone, someone to comfort you? I’m sure it’s something quite simple and you shouldn’t worry too much about it. To be honest, I think we should concentrate on whoever is following you, don’t you?’

  Helen’s voice was low, almost a whisper. ‘I can’t help thinking that they are connected in some way.’

  ‘What, the accident and being watched?’

  Helen abruptly released Nikki’s hand, and began to ease herself up from the bench, obviously in pain. ‘I’m sorry, Nikki, I can’t do this right now. I’m sure you’re right and I’m just being silly and confused about it all.’

  ‘I never said you were being silly, Helen, but the mind can play tricks. You were in an unbelievably traumatic situation.’

  ‘I must go. I haven’t even seen Andrew yet, and I have guests to attend to.’

  Nikki watched her friend limp back through the garden to the conservatory. This wasn’t the time to go after her, but no way was she going to leave it there. Helen’s fear was no flight of fancy. It was very real.

  When Joseph found her fifteen minutes later, she was still staring into the fish pond and wondering who the hell would want to follow Helen Brook.

  CHAPTER TWO

  It was ten minutes before the shift was due to end, and the whole day had been spent following up ifs, maybes, and could-haves regarding Stephen Cox. Nikki swallowed two paracetamol and tried to get back into reading a report from uniform about another “possible” sighting. She yearned for something concrete, something definite to work with. Cox seemed to have haunted her whole life as a copper. He was an evil man with no compassion, and years ago he had caused both her and her family untold heartbreak. Everywhere he went, people suffered, and there was no one that Nikki would rather see behind bars. She groaned. Her headache however had nothing to do with Cox, or the wine from the night before, and everything to do with what her friend had told her. She pushed the report to one side and tried to recall when she and Helen had first met. It was before her daughter Hannah had been hospitalised, at some kind of fundraiser, she couldn’t remember for which charity. All she knew was that she and Helen had been thrown together manning a stall selling raffle tickets. Which was so not her thing. Luckily Helen had seen the funny side to her grumbling and complaining, and in a very short time Nikki had made a friend. Over the years, she had neglected Helen, like all her other friends. She had let the job take over her life, and then Hannah had occupied her every waking hour. Nikki had become an angry loner. It had been a bad time, and one she might not have survived, if not for the arrival of Joseph Easter. And then somehow Helen made contact and managed to find a way back into her life, and Nikki had a friend again. ‘Hen’s teeth,’ she murmured. A friendship like Helen’s was rare indeed.

  ‘Nikki? Before you go, can I have a moment of your time?’ Superintendent Greg Woodhall stood in her doorway.

  ‘Come in, sir. I was wool-gathering, if I’m honest.’

  Greg closed the door behind him, then sunk down into a chair. ‘I’ve got a problem, and I’m going to pass it on to you.’

  Nikki gave him a half-hearted grin. ‘Thanks a bunch, sir. What have you just let me in for?’

  ‘Now, I assure you this is not a permanent restructuring of CID staff. I, er, need you to do a little short-term babysitting for me.’

  ‘Sorry, sir, the kindergarten is in the next street. This here is the cop shop.’

  Greg chose to ignore her. ‘There has been an incident within DI Gill Mercer’s team and I have to relocate two officers. One has decided to use up some outstanding leave, and the other is coming on loan to you for a while.’

  Nikki instantly became serious. She’d already heard some of this on the grapevine. ‘You’re talking about DC Eric Barnes, aren’t you, sir?’

  ‘I am. And I already know that he and your DC Cat Cullen do not get along, so it won’t be easy, but frankly, Nikki, you are the only senior detective that might be able to bring him into line.’

  Nikki stared at the superintendent, and wondered how he kept his skin so smooth and unlined, considering the flak he had to take on a daily basis. Like the flak she was about to dish out with her next breath. ‘Sir! We have a tight-knit team with an excellent arrest rate and a bloody brilliant record. I do not want that unpleasant young man stirring things up with us, like he has in the Mercer team.’

  ‘He’s intelligent, sharp, and has a talent for lateral thinking.’

  ‘He also has a talent for bringing out the worst in others, and he does it with all the charisma of a heap of camel dung.’ Nikki stood up and began to pace the office. ‘How the hell am I going to explain this to Cat? She’s already had one run-in with him and they weren’t even working together. Eric Barnes is a loner; he’s just not capable of working as part of a team.’

  Greg looked seriously at Nikki. ‘And I cannot afford to lose him. It’s complicated, but his family are very well connected, and I’ve been given something of an ultimatum from up high. We need to rein him in, and I’m afraid the job of doing it just fell in your lap. DC Dave Harris is back tomorrow from sick leave, but he’s on two weeks’ light duties after his operation, so he will be mainly office-bound. Eric can be his legs, okay?’

  ‘Have you told Barnes yet?’

  ‘I’m on my way to see him now before he goes home.’

  Nikki knew there was no way around this one. At least it was a temporary arrangement. ‘Okay, I’ll go fill Joseph
in. I’m going to need every one of his extensive negotiation skills just to stop Cat poisoning Eric’s coffee.’

  ‘Or vice versa. I get the picture.’ Greg stood up. ‘Do your best, Nikki. He does have considerable potential, but only if someone can manage to knock some sense into him.’

  Right, and I might finish up knocking more than sense into him, Nikki thought grimly. This is just what I need right now.

  * * *

  Helen Brook shifted uncomfortably in her chair and decided that television was just not worth watching anymore. It was either repeats, sometimes even a repeat of a programme you had seen the day before, or reality crap. If you had told her twenty years ago that they would be making long-running TV series about street cleaners, vermin control companies, estate agents and people who suffered from sad psychological conditions like hoarding, she would have said you were mad. She switched off a show that seemed to feature a man knocking on people’s doors and offering the owners good money to take away junk, stood up and made her way to the kitchen. If she stayed in one position for too long, the muscles in her injured legs still throbbed and ached. She knew that she should be working, there were still preparations to be made for the clinic, but she just felt so low.

  She made herself yet another non-caffeinated herbal tea, took it into the lounge and sat in darkness in a big leather recliner, looking out of the front window and across the river. She should also be thinking about getting some supper, but she really wasn’t hungry. This job of Andrew’s was becoming a real problem. His bosses seemed to think he should drop everything, day or night, and rush to the office to sort out their constant computer problems. Last night’s call had come just as their guests were leaving and, like a sheepdog to the whistle, he’d gone. The same thing had happened earlier. The phone rings, Andrew leaves. Damn him! And more to the point, damn his bloody job. The extra money was great, but it wasn’t worth all the emotional upheaval it caused. They had no reason to worry about money, she had enough for both of them, but Andrew didn’t see it that way. He didn’t want to sponge, he wanted to pay his way, and she could hardly knock him for having decent values. However, his high ideals meant that he’d been in France for the week when she was due to move to Newlands, and now he was chasing back and forth to the city, when she needed him most. And talking to Nikki had not helped. In fact it had made it worse. Her friend’s obvious concern for her had made it seem suddenly real, and her fears intensified.