by Dawson, H A
As she progressed with her task, he accessed his email inbox and waited for a photo of Andrew Anderson to arrive. When it did, his pulse quickened, his fear rising.
He opened it up. Their fears were confirmed; Josh Smithson and Andrew Anderson were the same person.
‘She’s not answering,’ Imogen said, returning the phone to her desk. ‘I’ve tried the office again too. It’s still engaged. It must be due to the publicity from the news article.’
‘That might have been his plan – so we can’t contact her.’
‘We have to go around there,’ she said. ‘We can’t take any chances with this Luke. She could be in serious danger.’
Luke nodded a thoughtful reply.
‘I doubt very much she knows his history … or in fact that he is Emma’s brother. He must really hate her.’
‘I agree. Let’s go.’
Luke drove as quickly and as safely as possible, and was due to arrived at the centre within minutes. Making the journey proved a good decision, as despite Imogen’s several attempts, she was unable to get hold of Maddie or anyone who may be able to contact her, and it increased his sense of foreboding.
Driving towards her premises, he reprimanded himself for his slowness and inaction, and questioned why they hadn’t suspected Josh at the start. However, the more he reflected upon the original interview with Maddie, the more he accepted his thought processes. Maddie had spoke highly of her new partner, and displayed only joy and pleasure at the mention of his name. There had been nothing there to cause his suspicions to rise, and accusing the partner of a loved one was not good practice.
They drove the car into the car park, and noted a few loitering individuals by the animal pens; Earl was working on one the flower borders near the start of one of the walks, and a couple of men in suits were chatting to someone out of view in the reception area.
‘It looks calm,’ he said. ‘Given the phones have been out of action, I expected to see it busier.’
‘Me too,’ Imogen said, and exited the car. ‘Let’s find Maddie.’
He grabbed his satchel from the rear, locked the car doors, and hurried after Imogen who was striding to the entrance of the centre. Maddie was nowhere within their view, and from what they had seen via the windows, she wasn’t in the office either. However, Jodi was inside talking to the two men, and her tone was one of disapproval. Although unwilling, the men complied to her request to leave, and muttering something inaudible departed to the car park.
‘Trouble?’ Luke asked Jodi.
She nodded. ‘I’m glad Maddie’s not here. Everyone wants a piece of her.’
Fleetingly, his eyes shot to Imogen’s. ‘Is she with Josh?’
‘Yes, why?’
‘Where have they gone?’
‘I don’t know. They made the decision this morning, after …’ her voice drifted. ‘She was attacked first thing – in the woodland. Someone took her clothes, leaving her with only her underwear.’
‘How did she get back?’
‘Josh was worried and asked me to look for her. They’d just had an argument.’
‘And you found her?’
‘I did.’ A worried look passed between them. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Josh isn’t who he claims to be. His name is Andrew Anderson. He’s Emma’s brother.’
She covered her mouth with her hand.
‘Do you have any idea where he may have taken her? She’s not answering her phone, and I’m very worried, especially given his history.’
‘You mean his involvement with the London gang.’
‘I don’t know what he’s told you,’ Luke said, ‘but he was the murderer. He’s just come out of prison, and it seems he’s out for revenge. We think he blames Maddie for the downward turn in his life. Everything started to go wrong in his family after the bullying campaign against his sister.’
Colour drained from her face. ‘But he’s a lovely man. I can’t believe he’d be responsible.’
‘Jodi,’ Imogen interjected. ‘Did he say where he was taking her?’
‘No. He was very secretive about it.’
Luke ran his hand across his head, his blood pressure rising, his thoughts spinning out of control. Josh was capable of anything, anything at all.
‘Do you have the keys for her private quarters? He may have left clues in the house.’
‘Sorry, I don’t have them. Since it’s warm, they decided to leave the cat outside. At least Josh did.’
Dismayed, he clenched his jaw. Josh knew exactly what he had been doing. He had probably been planning it for weeks, if not months or years, and if Luke needed proof, he only had to consider the article in the newspaper. The deadline for entries would have been before the awards ceremony. Everything had been premeditated.
‘Where’s Kelly?’ Imogen asked.
‘She went home sick. Shortly after Maddie left in fact.’
‘I doubt she’s involved,’ Luke said, casting a quick glance.
Imogen’s expression was one of disagreement. ‘They’ve been having secret conversations. Surely, it’s worth asking her?’
Luke agreed. They received her address from Jodi, which proved to be local, and hurried away. He hadn’t gotten very far when he spun back around.
‘Jodi,’ he called, spinning around. ‘Please warn her if she calls you. And let me know too, I’ll give you my number,’ he said, and extracted a card from his pocket.
‘Of course, but I doubt she will. We spoke before you arrived.’
‘Did she say anything at all that may point us in the right direction?’
‘The motel was a rural location, and from what she was saying there were stunning views.’ Jodi stilled. ‘Oh no. She mentioned a bridge. They were talking a walk up there.’
He thanked Jodi for her time, and darted to the car.
‘Can you use your phone to look for bridges in beauty spots?’ he asked Imogen. ‘Start close by.’
She nodded her agreement, and once inside the vehicle, extracted her phone from her pocket. Meanwhile, Luke made the short journey through the village to Kelly’s house. It was a small house in a short row. He left Imogen in the car, banged on the cottage door, and looked through the net curtains, searching for movement.
The door opened. Kelly’s surprise was evident. Wasting no time, he stated his reason for being there and demanded an explanation of her involvement with Josh. Not forthcoming, he asked again, reiterating the danger Maddie was in.
Worry formed upon her face. She folded her arms and looked to her feet.
‘I thought your job was important to you,’ he said, trying to lure her into action.
‘It is.’
‘Then why are you trying to cause Maddie’s downfall? Do you know Josh’s been in prison for murder?’
Her jaw dropped.
‘He’ll do it again, no question, and it will be on your conscience.’
‘I saw him uploading the altered website,’ she said quickly. He swore me to secrecy. I like Maddie, but he blackmailed me with my past. He knew I lied on my application form. I had no choice but to agree to his demands.’
‘Even after we told Maddie of your work history?’
‘He threatened me.’
‘Physically?’
Kelly nodded. ‘I saw him follow her into the woodland and then return with her clothes. I didn’t know what to do. In the end, I decided to go into her quarters, get her some clothes and try to track her down. I …’ her anxious expression shot between them. ‘I was sidetracked by something on his computer. It was a website of a village – Horrington. He … he caught me looking and demanded I helped him out otherwise he’d make me suffer. He told me to keep the telephone off the hook.’
‘So you did.’
‘For a while, but I …’ she paused, her eyes flitting. ‘… I was terrified of what he was going to do to her, so much so I felt physically sick.’
‘Hence you exit from work.’
She nodded. ‘I couldn’t
play a part in his games.’
Luke tapped her on her upper arm, thanked her for the information, and started away. Kelly’s distressed look was visible through his eye corner as he climbed into the car, informed Imogen of their location, and turned on the engine.
‘Horrington was one of the three places I’d found,’ Imogen said.
‘Let’s just hope we’re not too late. I have a horrible feeling.’
‘Me too.’
Chapter 11
Maddie and Josh hadn’t walked very far when they arrived at another break in the tree line and stopped to look at the view. Whilst she was terrified that she had remembered Josh being Emma’s brother, she didn’t want to give away her secret and instead chose to formulate a plan in her mind to aid her escape.
Her body was stiff and her breathing swift. Forcing a stabilising breath, she relented to his touch as he pressed his back into her rear and nestled his face into her neckline. Every movement he made became accentuated in her mind, every one, she feared, would lead to something painful.
How could Josh be responsible for the vindictive actions? It didn’t make any sense. For the last few months, he had been nothing other than a loving, caring and supportive partner, yet obviously, he had a duel personality, and all the time, had been planning her demise. She thought she knew him, and she considered herself a good judge of character. Was it feasible that she was wrong, and that Josh wasn’t Emma’s brother? It was a possibility, although one she considered unlikely. Needing proof, she pondered recent events.
Josh had been in the office after the awards ceremony, and he had the password of the computer. The following day he had tried to stop her checking out her website; he had wanted the suffering extended, and wanted more people to may see the changes. Then came the discussion on her bullying past. She had realised his disapproval, but he had persuaded her it had related to something in his life. In actuality, it was because Emma was his sister.
There were other things too. He knew the school she had attended, when she hadn’t provided a name. He knew the events that had taken place despite claiming his innocence. He knew, first hand, of Emma Anderson’s suffering. Yet, all the time, he provided his utmost support.
What had he been trying to achieve? Had she not told him of her remorse?
Her stomach tightened, a knot forming within as she reflected upon their first discussion in her mind. She had denied being responsible for Emma’s reaction, adding she wasn’t to blame for the course of events. Josh had been furious, so much so he had turned his back and clamped shut his mouth, causing her to question his behaviour.
‘Is something wrong?’ he asked.
Drawn back to the present, Maddie yanked herself from his grip and cast him a nervous stare, unsure whether to play along or make the accusation.
‘You’re upset. Are you thinking about what happened this morning?’
‘I … I am.’
‘Tell me.’
She shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘I assume you were attacked since you changed outfits.’
She folded her arms and lowered her head, and searched for a response. Despite all that had gone on between them, she didn’t want to tell him of the embarrassment and emotional pain she had suffered. On the other hand, if she lied and denied its effect, his anger may increase and he may act in haste.
‘It must have been horrible,’ he said. ‘Every woman’s worse nightmare.’
‘It was. I … I didn’t know what to do.’
With an unreadable expression, he guided her along the path. ‘At least no one saw you.’
Maddie stiffened. He was referring to what happened with Emma. She gulped back her dread, and dazed by her knowledge, followed in his trail and arrived seconds later at the entrance to the bridge.
‘You were lucky.’
She had no reply.
‘Emma wasn’t so lucky, was she?’ He turned his head. ‘I can tell you know who I am.’
She hesitated, unsure of her response, and looked to the steps to the bridge a few steps ahead and to the drop to the rushing water. Terrified of his motives, she refused to follow him to the steps, and huddling her arms across her front, stared at him with pleading eyes.
‘Tell me what you did!’ he yelled.
The incident formed in her mind. They had stolen Emma’s clothes and towel as she had showered in the school changing rooms, and then, taking their opportunity, since the teacher was busy along the corridor, they guided the loitering boys to doorway. Most of the girls had left, allowing Emma no place to hide but in the shower. It proved without worth. Whilst her companion watched for the teacher to return the boys stepped inside.
Emma’s memorable screams resounded in her ears.
‘Tell me!’ he yelled.
‘We … we stole her clothes.’
‘And the rest!’
She glanced to the bridge and the drop. ‘Please don’t do this.’
‘Do what?’
‘It was meant to be a joke. We didn’t mean to hurt her.’
‘A joke?’ A furious expression formed on his face. ‘I’ve heard it all now. Since you find it so bloody funny, why didn’t you walk back to the centre as you were?’
She held a stiff pose.
‘I’ll tell you for why. Because you felt a gut-wrenching shame that you couldn’t deal with. You were embarrassed, humiliated, mortified. That’s how she was.’ He stormed towards her, his eyes bulging, his skin colouring. ‘She never recovered. You killed her.’
Quaking, Maddie averted her eyes. Humiliating Emma the way she had, had been a horrible thing to do, but she had been young and naïve, and high on adrenalin and had acted without forethought. If she could take it back, she would … in an instant. However, when she looked to the pain in Josh’s eyes, she knew it would be a pointless claim to make. It would not ease his anguish, and it would not bring Emma back.
‘You ruined our lives … all of us. Does that make you proud? Because I hope it does, because you’ve never suffered. Everyone thinks you’re such a hero.’
‘I didn’t make her take her life.’
Josh’s stare filled with fury, and without warning, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the steps to the bridge.
‘Josh … no. We can work this out. I … I love you.’
Unrelenting, her forced her onto the walkway and pushed her onwards. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t change his mind. Blank to her words, he resisted her physical efforts and pushed her forwards until they reached the middle.
‘It’s a long way down, isn’t it?’ he said, gleeful. ‘This is the view Emma would have had.’
She stared below, looking to the rushing water and the bank, and catching sight of the clock inscribed into the muddy bank. It was set at midnight. She regarded him with terror.
And then it dawned. Midnight was when Emma had jumped … when it was quiet … when no one had been aware she was missing.
‘I’m sure you’re desperate to know what it was like for her,’ he said.
Unwilling to get into an extended conversation, she started away, running to the other side of the bridge. But her efforts were in vain, and he grabbed her arm and yanked her to a standstill.
She tussled and wriggled. She screamed for her release.
‘You killed her!’
‘I didn’t mean that to happen. I’m sorry.’
‘Sorry?’ he yelled. ‘For what? You’re not sorry for killing her, you told me. You refuse to accept the blame.’
‘I didn’t. I never wanted her to die. Never.’
His regarded her with distaste and disagreement.
‘I didn’t! Why do you think I set up a bullying foundation. I’m disgusted with myself for what I did. It makes me sick just thinking about it. You’ve no idea.’
‘I doubt you’d have done it if Jodi hadn’t suggested it, yet you still won’t recognise her efforts. You want the praise to ease your conscience.’
‘That’s
not true,’ she said weakly.
‘Of course it is - any fool can see it is.’ He shook his head, holding the view in a thoughtful stare. ‘I’ve given you many opportunities to accept the blame, too many.’
Maddie gulped.
‘It stops now.’ He pulled out her phone from his pocket. ‘But first you’re going to record a message, a suicide message.’
Staring wide-eyed, she backed away. His grip on her wrist tightened. Through laboured breaths, a squeal escaped her lips. ‘No Josh, no!’
With his free hand, he tapped the screen, presumably setting up the recording facility, and then, having ordered her to speak of her depression, he thrust it before her.
Her heart was pounding and her words were lost. She looked at him with begging eyes, willing him to show compassion and remember the love they had shared. There was nothing there but hatred, and it caused a sickness to rise to her throat.
Unwillingly, she stared at the phone. No words exited her mouth.
When he thrust it into his pocket, she thought she had won a mini battle. Instead, and using brute force, he thrust her to the edge. He didn’t seem to care who was watching, if in fact, anyone was, and crowding her with his body he forced her through a tight gap near to the ground, and pushed her onto a narrow ledge.
Trembling and breathy, and aware of the drop to the river, she weaved her arms through the railing, locked them tight, and stared with rounded eyes at Josh.
His expression was unyielding; he showed no remorse.
Deafened by the sound of her pounding heart, she clung for her survival. She dared not look at the drop beneath her feet; she dared not think of anything but her stability.
‘Now, you’ll record your message,’ he said.
Voicelessly, she expressed her desperation.
Chapter 12
With his foot heavy on the pedal and his eyes focused upon the road ahead, Luke sped along the highway to Horrington, guided by the instructions from the satnav. Imogen, too, was keeping track of their route, time was crucial, they could afford no mistakes.
‘Guide me straight to the bridge,’ he said, passing her a quick glance. ‘We need somewhere close by to park.’
