Guilt Trap

by Dawson, H A

  Her regrets mounted. If she hadn’t hurried away, she wouldn’t be in such a quandary. Josh hadn’t deserved such a reaction. His comment relating to her apparent lack of remorse had been misinterpreted. All he been trying to do was to offer her a different viewpoint, one that those who didn’t know her may share. The calmness and non-accusatory tone in his voice, combined with his suggestion that they closed the centre for the day was evidence of his thinking.

  She had over reacted, and now she paid the price. However, how was she to know someone had been prowling in the woodland and waiting to make an attack? At the time, the centre was closed, and as far as she was aware, no one had been roaming. Not that it was impossible believe it could happen. There were public footpaths close to her land, and occasionally people took the wrong trail; in addition, any of the staff could have arrived early and parked along the lane.

  Craving an explanation, her hands fiddled with the sacking, tracing the material with her fingers, and touching the creases. Then she saw it. Marked into the back of the fabric was the clock, and the time was set at ten minutes to midnight. They were closing in on the final act; her time was running out.

  Afraid and anxious, she urged Josh to come in search of her. More than likely, he was working on his computer in the house and wouldn’t have given her a thought. He may have even told Jodi and the rest of her staff that she needed to be alone. She could be there for hours. She was chilled and hungry, and had work to do, and couldn’t afford the time to hide in the woodland for the entire day. She needed a solution, and fast.

  Drawn to voices, she extended her neck and peered through the trees in search of the sounds. Two adults and two small children, accompanied by a terrier dog, were sauntering along one of the walks, and to her gratitude, were travelling in another direction. However, whilst she experienced momentary relief, it highlighted a new problem: if a dog passed by, it would be sure to seek her out. The embarrassment would be immense, and it caused a shudder of distress to pass like a wave across her body.

  Deciding she needed to move sooner, rather than later when the visitor numbers peaked, she scanned her vicinity, looking over the bramble bush to a path about fifty metres away. Whilst it provided her with a direct route back to the centre, it wasn’t one she could take. The alternative was to go deeper into the woodland, and even though it was something she should do, getting across to the next cover, a rocky outcrop on her top of a small hill, was not going to be easy.

  Trembling and anxious, she rose to her feet, and remaining stooped, looked through the rising trunks of the interspersed trees to the gaps in between. There was no movement, not even a squirrel or a bird, and making certain it was safe to make a quick dash, strained to listen for the sound of voices.

  All she could hear was the gentle rustling of the leaves as they moved in the breeze.

  Her opportunity had arrived.

  Holding the sack tight to her breasts, she ran up the incline, enduring agonising pain as she trod on the woodland floor. But she could not afford to stop, and gritting her teeth, and doing her best to avoid the twigs, the rocks jutting out of the grass, and the patches of nettles and thistles, she continued to the top. Her leg muscles were tight and weakening, her breathing laboured, and the cool morning air chilled her bare skin. Squealing and moaning, she arrived at the rocky outcrop and having made a quick scan of the area for people, slid in between two boulders to hide from view.

  Sitting upon the ground, she locked her eyes upon her naked skin, and feeling ashamed, vulnerable and embarrassed, scrunched her face and squealed her distress and despair. She wanted to be in the safety of her home and she wanted to be with Josh. How could this be happening? She may have done wrong, but she was not deserving of this treatment. Had she not proven to the world she was sorry for bullying Emma Anderson? If she wasn’t remorseful, she wouldn’t have invested her money and time into the foundation.

  Maddie rubbed her hands across face and dried her moistened eyes. Being tearful wouldn’t resolve anything. She was going to have to be strong and find a solution to her dilemma; otherwise, she would remain hidden away for the day. Determined to take action, and wanting to move a little closer to the building, she scanned the woodland looking for another place to hide.

  A group of people walked upon a trail one hundred or so metres away. One of them caught her eye, causing her torso to tighten and her heart rhythm to elevate. Holding her breath, she stared at the sky visible in the tree line, too terrified to move yet afraid of staying put. Whimpering, she listened for audible sounds. Twigs cracked. There was rustling of feet in the undergrowth. A voice cried out her name.

  Her relief was vast and caused tears to drizzle down her cheeks. Peering over the boulder, she cast Jodi a tearful smile.

  ‘Thank God,’ her friend said, striding towards her. ‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Josh was worried. He said you’d had a quarrel.’

  Ashamed of her unclothed body, she backed into a gap between the boulders. Jodi noticed her distress, and regarding her with confusion stepped around the side.

  ‘Oh my Lord!’ she said. ‘What happened?’

  She lowered her head, her voice lost.

  ‘Where are you’re clothes?’ she asked, scanning the ground.

  Maddie shook her head.

  ‘Who’s done this to you? Are you all right?’

  ‘I will be. I need something to wear.’

  ‘I’ll get you something.’

  She gripped her wrist. ‘Don’t go.’

  Jodi hesitated, regarded her with confusion, and removed her sweatshirt. ‘Put this on.’

  Willingly, she took it from her friend and projected a weak smile.

  ‘I’ll be as quick as I can. Stay put.’

  Maddie nodded, and feeling more comfortable partially clothed, sank to the cold, damp ground between the boulders and awaited Jodi’s return. Time was slow to pass, allowing her head to fill with the day’s events. She wished she had asked if any journalists had arrived, or if any of their sponsors had withdrawn their support, but since she hadn’t, she imagined the worst. Everything was going to get much worse before it got better. And if she needed proof, she only had to look at the clock marked upon the sack.

  Her insides knotted with tension. Hating the wasted time, she stood up and peered over the boulder down the incline. Jodi was in the distance, striding along the path and returning with a bag in her hands. Grateful that at least one of her troubles was about to be resolved, she sank back onto the ground.

  Jodi made her approach, and handed her the bag. ‘I took them from your wardrobe. I picked something I’ve seen you in before.’

  ‘Thank you so much.’ She donned the outfit. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t arrived.’

  ‘Well I did, so there’s no need to worry about it.’

  ‘Did you see Josh?’

  ‘I told him I’d found you and that there’d been trouble, but that was it. He was on the phone in the office.’

  She looked to the floor, words failing her.

  She touched her arm. ‘Did this person, this man hurt you?’

  ‘No. Why do you think it’s a man?’

  ‘Wasn’t it?’

  ‘I didn’t get a good enough look. He or she was wearing a baggy black top and trousers. Or maybe they were jeans. I can’t remember.’

  ‘Didn’t you see their face?’

  She shook her head. ‘They had a balaclava on. And they put this sack on my head.’

  Jodi frowned.

  ‘What made you think it was a man?’

  ‘Would a woman be strong enough to wrestle your clothes from you?’

  ‘They had me at a disadvantage. I’d fallen asleep.’

  ‘I take it you didn’t get much sleep last night.’

  ‘None,’ she said, sliding her feet into her shoes. ‘Have the sponsors pulled out?’

  ‘Josh has been dealing with the calls. He’s been amazing. Find me a man like that, will you?’
r />   Maddie smiled, and since she was fully dressed, they started back to the centre, descending the incline in a sideways fashion, before arriving at the path at the bottom. Never before had she been so grateful for her clothes. Nonetheless, when she made eye contact with the first visitors by the chicken pens, her shame returned and she averted her gaze.

  ‘No one knows, do they?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course not.’

  They continued towards the centre, and because Jodi was working at the shed, they stopped outside.

  ‘I thought I was going to be there all day,’ Maddie said.

  ‘One of us would have found you. Josh mentioned taking you away for a couple of days. It might be a good idea.’

  ‘I can’t go away! It’s critical I stay.’

  ‘We can manage without you.’ She studied her pensive face. ‘It might be better you keep a low profile for a while. Otherwise, if the parents of some of the children see you, they may not be pleased.’

  ‘Josh said the same. It’s why we argued.’

  ‘Sorry, but I do think he’s right. Everything that’s happened has caused you immense stress. Take the day off, chat with Josh, and make plans. The rest of us can deal with what’s happening, and Earl’s always willing to be pulled from his gardening duties when necessary.’

  ‘I’m not sure.’

  Kelly was striding towards her, catching her eye and ending their exchange.

  ‘Are you all right,’ Kelly said. ‘I heard you were attacked.’

  Maddie shot Jodi a perplexed look. Hadn’t she said no one knew what had happened? Okay, so Jodi had told Josh, but how would the word have gotten to Kelly so quickly? They hardly spoke. They were different personality types and had nothing in common.

  Her thoughts concentrated. Was Kelly her attacker? She was wearing a dark shade of loose fitting slacks, and she was the right size and build.

  ‘Have I said something wrong? Josh told me. I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was a secret.’

  ‘I don’t want it getting out, so please don’t say anything. Not even to the staff.’

  She nodded and started away. Maddie was passing Jodi an enquiring look when Kelly spun back around. ‘There’s something else. I found a skirt and top by the guinea pig pen. They looked like yours.’

  ‘What did you do with them?’

  ‘I handed them to Josh. Did I do wrong?’

  ‘No, and please remember what I said. Tell no one.’

  Kelly’s nod was almost imperceptible.

  Once she was out of earshot, Maddie turned to Jodi. ‘Do you believe she could have spoken to Josh so quickly?’

  ‘It’s possible. I wouldn’t be too quick to jump to conclusions, though.’

  ‘You think I’m paranoid.’

  ‘Not paranoid. Stressed, maybe.’ Pausing, she glanced to the shed door. ‘I’m going to have get on. Please think about what I said about taking time off.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘And go see Josh.’

  Maddie agreed, and strode towards the centre and passed inside. The office was empty, and so was the conference/rest room. Needing to see him, as well as feeling as though she needed to clean herself up before she progressed with her work, she headed to her private quarters. Upon hearing her arrival, he hurried towards her.

  ‘Thank God you’re all right.’ He studied her tight face. ‘You are, aren’t you?’

  ‘I am.’

  He took her hand and guided her through to the living room. ‘What happened?’

  She stared at the sofa, and still reflecting upon the conversation with Kelly, asked him if they had spoken. He said not. His confusion was obvious.

  ‘She knew what happened to me. How would she know that unless you spoke to her? Only Jodi knew.’

  ‘She must have overheard us talking. The door to the office was open. If she’d been in the rest room …’ his voice drifted, his attention focusing upon her expression. ‘You still think Kelly is the culprit.’

  ‘Who else can it be?’

  ‘But Luke hasn’t come up with anything, has he? There was no connection to Doncaster or Emma.’

  ‘Not yet, but there will be.’

  Hesitating, Josh held his focus. ‘Okay, assuming you’re right, it provides us with more of a reason to get away. The clock is ticking, Maddie. It’ll give Luke more time to discover who it is, and it’ll all be over by the time we return.’

  ‘It sounds a good idea, but …’

  ‘But nothing. It’s an excellent idea.’

  ‘I can’t just walk out on the business and foundation as it stands. It’s too much for Jodi to take on, and what about your work? Don’t you have to call into Leeds this week?’

  ‘Firstly, Jodi has agreed to do this. Didn’t she tell you?’

  Maddie nodded.

  ‘And secondly, I don’t have much on right now, which is why I’ve been spending a lot of time helping you. So it works out perfectly.’

  ‘I don’t know Josh,’ she said, perching onto the sofa. ‘I feel like I’m abandoning a sinking ship.’

  ‘You’re not, and if it helps, you can always be available by phone – just for emergencies though.’

  Maddie was warming to the idea. Even though her instinct was to remain with the business, having a few days break did sound like a good idea, and ultimately, she nodded her agreement.

  Josh was overwhelmed with appreciation, and wrapped his arms around her and left a lingering kiss upon her lips. ‘It’s about time I got you all to myself.’

  ‘I admit it will be nice to get away.’

  ‘Don’t be mad, but I’ve already made a booking … for tonight.’

  ‘Tonight! I can’t go tonight. It’s far too soon.’

  He raised his eyebrows, and then pushed out his bottom lip and looked at her with doleful eyes. He was irresistible when he wanted to be and she could not turn him down. Reminded of Jodi’s agreement, she relented to his demands.

  ‘You won’t regret it.’

  ‘I hope not. Apparently, the place I’ve booked is in a beautiful spot. In fact, it was Kelly’s suggestion.’

  Her jaw dropped and eyes widened.

  He cut her off. ‘I’ve said the wrong thing, haven’t I? Sorry. That was a stupid thing to say, but please don’t change your mind. Kelly won’t be there. She’ll be here working. And I promise I won’t let you out of my sight.’

  ‘I’ll keep you to that.’

  ‘You won’t have to. By the time I’ve done, you’ll be so sick of me, you’ll be desperate to get away.’

  Maddie smiled; his comment created wonderful pictures in her head.

  ‘I don’t want to ruin our time away, but I would like you to tell me what happened out there.’

  ‘I will, I promise. Just not now, okay?’

  He narrowed his eyes. ‘Was it similar to what you did to Emma?’

  Her chest swelled, her tension rising. She crossed her arms and averted her eyes.

  ‘I take it, it was. I’m sorry Maddie. It must have been awful.’

  ‘I’m only just starting to release the true pain she must have gone through. It was horrid … truly horrid.’

  ‘Tell me later. I want to get you out of here before you change your mind.’

  ‘I won’t. You’re right, I do need this.’

  ‘Excellent. Now, you go pack a bag, and I’ll tell the staff.’ He started away.

  ‘Josh?’

  He spun around.

  ‘You’re amazing, do you know that?’

  ‘I do.’ A glint formed in his eye. ‘I’m going to make you suffer!’

  ‘Dirty man!’

  ‘That’s what I’m hoping for you too!’

  Chapter 10

  Luke placed Imogen’s pre-packaged sandwich and lidded coffee upon her desk, placed his own purchases upon his own, and sat in his swivel chair. As she thanked him, he regarded her with amusement.

  ‘Okay, what’s so funny?’ she asked, removing the lid from the coffee.

 
; ‘Nothing,’ he said, and averted his attention to his lunch. Yet his pleasure remained in his expression and his thoughts as he took a bite out of his prawn salad sandwich and wiped the sauce from his mouth with his paper napkin.

  ‘Something’s tickling you, and if I know you as well as I think, it’s probably me.’

  ‘You’re not always at the centre of my thoughts.’

  She raised her eyebrows.

  ‘If you must know, it’s your choice of food and drink. You’re willing to eat a cheese mayonnaise sandwich – which is full of fat - yet you insisted on skimmed milk in your coffee.’

  ‘And what’s wrong with that?’

  Luke was perplexed. ‘Everything. Why have cheese and full-fat mayonnaise if you’re so concerned by your weight? And skinny lattes can’t taste as good as full-fat ones. What you’re doing is illogical.’

  ‘It’s perfectly logical. If I have one, I won’t put on weight. If I have both, I will.’

  ‘I can’t see how having full-fat milk once a day in a coffee as a lunchtime treat, would do you that much harm. And if it does, take up exercise.’

  ‘Says the man who thinks exercise is walking to the car! Don’t think I’ve not noticed your paunch.’

  He laid his hand upon his belly. ‘I do not have a paunch! It’s very slightly podgy, that’s all.’

  Imogen cast him a disagreeing glance.

  ‘I’ll show you if you like,’ he said, and stood up and started to pull his shirt from his pants.’

  ‘Put it away!’ she shrieked. ‘Are you trying to put me off my lunch?’

  Luke grinned. ‘So I won’t be getting a massage then?’

  ‘Certainly not. If you do, you’ll have to get me very, very drunk first.’

  ‘Jeez, thanks for the compliment.’

  ‘Any time.’

  The lively banter continued over the course of the next half hour, and then they agreed to discuss the Maddie Watson case. He hoped they would have identified the perpetrator by the end of the day, and that they could take appropriate action. To make such an achievement, though, they needed to discuss what they had learned, and so he started by asking about their first interviewee, Kelly Matterson.