by K. J. Frost
“What did you do then?” I ask her.
“I dropped my bike where it was and ran all the way home,” she says. And with that, she bursts into noisy tears. I can’t watch her like this. I can’t… I pull her into my arms and hold her close to me, giving thanks that at least she’s safe, she’s here… that’s all that matters. It’s the only thing that matters. “Do you think it was the same man?” she asks, leaning back a little her face streaked with tears. “The man who killed Beth and those other women?”
“I don’t know.” It would be a departure from his usual methods if it was, but I can’t rule out anything at the moment. I reach into my pocket and pull out my handkerchief, offering it to her, and she accepts it, pulling away from me completely and wiping her eyes and nose. As much as I’m pleased that she’s stopped crying, my arms feel empty without her.
“I’m so sorry,” she says.
“Stop apologising.” I smile down at her and she does her best to smile back.
“You were working though. I shouldn’t have called you. It’s just that I got back here and Uncle Gordon had already left… and Aunt Millicent is useless really. And then I remembered your card…”
“And you did the right thing, and called me.”
“Yes. I thought you’d be back at home by that time, so I called your aunt’s house. I didn’t expect Dorothy to answer,” she says unexpectedly.
“You know Aunt Dotty?”
She smiles, more broadly this time. “Dotty?”
“Yes. We all call her that.”
She nods her head. “I suppose it does suit her,” she says quietly, sniffing and wiping her nose again.
“Better than you’ll ever know,” I reply. “Now, tell me how you know her.”
“We met last summer when Dorothy… sorry, Dotty was painting at Hampton Court Bridge. We ended up talking for ages, and then she invited me back to her house to look at her other work. We had a couple of gin and tonics and I stayed for dinner… and we’ve been friends ever since.”
I sit back and let my head fall onto the rear of the sofa. “So you’re the girl she was telling me about.” A smile crosses my lips.
“What’s funny?” Amelie asks.
“Nothing. It’s just that Aunt Dotty was threatening to introduce me to her new friend… you, evidently. Judging from the look in her eyes, I’d say she seemed to want to do a bit of matchmaking.” A slight blush spreads across Amelie’s cheeks. “It also explains why she was so adamant I should get round here so quickly this evening.”
“I really am sorry,” she says, looking down at her hands.
“Will you stop apologising?” I sit up and lean into her, just a little. “You’ve gone up in my estimation,” I tease, trying to distract her.
“Why?”
“Because you’ve just told me you managed to handle a couple of Aunt Dotty’s gin and tonics. She’s been known to fell grown men with those.”
She laughs and I feel my stomach flip over. “They’re not for the feint hearted.”
“Feeling better?” I ask.
“Yes, thank you.” She nods her head.
“Do you want me to let your uncle know what’s happened? I could telephone him in London, if you like?”
“No, it’s fine. He’s got enough to worry about.”
“I’m sure he’d want to know, Amelie.”
She looks up at me. “I don’t want to make things worse for him. He’s very preoccupied at the moment. That’s why he’s so moody,” she says, as though she’s thinking out loud.
“Well, that’s hardly surprising, given what’s happened.”
“I know, but it’s… oh, I don’t know… It’s more than that. I wonder if it’s got something to do with the argument…” Her voice fades to a whisper and her eyes meet mine.
“What argument?” I sit forward.
She bites her bottom lip. “Oh God,” she murmurs. “I’m sorry… I forgot to mention it.”
“What argument?” I repeat.
“Uncle Gordon and Beth… they argued really badly, about a week or so before she died and now I come to think about it, he hasn’t been right since then.”
“Do you know what they argued about?”
“No. I’m sorry. I’d tell you if I knew, but I don’t. I was upstairs and I just heard raised voices and slammed doors.”
“And Beth didn’t tell you?”
She shakes her head. “No. I did ask, but she said it was nothing, which I knew was rubbish, but I couldn’t pry. It was obviously something personal – between them.” She pauses and looks at me. “I wonder if it was something to do with Daniel Milton?”
“It’s possible, I suppose, although she didn’t speak to him until the day of her death, and she had the opportunity to do so every day…” My mind’s a whirr – again.
“Even so, it’s nothing to do with Beth’s murder, is it?” she says, looking for reassurance, I think.
“No.” I hope I’m being honest. I really don’t believe that Gordon Templeton had anything to do with the murders, but I know he’s hiding something from me. Still, I can find out about that tomorrow…
“I suppose I should let you get back to work.” I can hear the reluctance in her voice and wonder if that’s because she wants me to be here, or because she’s still feeling scared. Either way, I want to stay.
“Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” I ask.
She nods. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got Sarah and Mary, so I’m not completely alone.”
I take her hand in mine again. “We need to work out what you’re going to do tomorrow,” I say, being practical, because I can’t be what I want to be.
“I suppose I’ll have to get my bike back somehow,” she muses.
“I’ll deal with that,” I tell her decisively. “I’ll arrange for someone to collect it and bring it back here. And I’ll take you into work…”
“You can’t,” she interrupts.
“Yes, I can. We’re both going to Kingston. It’s easy for me to drop you off at the factory.”
She looks up at me, her eyes brimming with tears again. “Are you sure?” she whispers.
“I’m positive.”
“But…” She hesitates. “But we’re not meant to be seeing each other…”
“We’re not. I’m giving you a lift to work. That’s all. And I’ll do my best to bring you home as well, but if I can’t, then take enough money for the bus fare. Please?” I fix her with a smile.
She smiles back. “You’re very kind.”
“It’s not kindness,” I reply. It’s so much more than that. My love for her is the driving force behind everything I do now..
Her smile widens slightly and she rests her head on my shoulder, just for a moment.
“You’d better go,” she says, sitting up again. “You’ve been here for nearly an hour.”
“God… have I?” Time goes nowhere when I’m with her.
“Yes.”
I get to my feet and she follows suit, until I turn and put my hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her back down into the sofa.
“Sit,” I say softly. “You’ve had a shock.” I lean over and ring the bell for the maid. “Have a cup of tea and something to eat… and then go to bed with a good book.”
“Thank you,” she mumbles and settles back into the corner of the couch, pulling her feet up under her.
“Stop thanking me,” I say. “You know I’ll do anything for you.”
Her eyes widen, but before she can reply, the door opens and I turn to face the maid, wondering what Amelie was going to say, but knowing the moment’s lost… for now, anyway.
“Do you think you could bring Miss Cooper a cup of tea and something to eat?” I ask Sarah.
She smiles and nods her head. “Certainly, sir,” she replies and leaves the room again.
“I’ll go,” I say, turning back to Amelie. “And I’ll pick you up in the morning. Eight o’clock alright?”
“Yes. That’s perfect.”
I walk across the room and put my hand on the door handle.
“Rufus?” she calls and I turn back to face her. “Thank you… For everything.” I’m almost comforted by her words and I give her a smile before letting myself out and leaning back on the door for a moment, facing the reality of my fear.
I have no idea who followed her home… or why.
I get to the end of the road and stand for a moment. I have a choice. I can turn left and go back to the pub, or I can turn right and call in on Aunt Dotty. It takes a second to decide to turn right. Now that I know Amelie is Dotty’s friend, I know she’ll be beside herself with worry, and she won’t sleep a wink without knowing she’s alright. I run across the road and up the steps, letting myself into the house.
“It’s only me,” I call out, but before I’ve taken more than a few paces into the hall, Dotty appears from the sitting room.
“Rufus?” she says, her voice betraying her pent up emotions.
“She’s fine.” I answer her unasked question, then take her hand and lead her back into the warmth and comfort of the sitting room once more. I notice she’s already got a drink on the table beside her seat, so I don’t offer her one, but help her to sit down again. “I can’t stop, but I thought I’d come and let you know that Amelie’s had a scare, but she’s okay.”
“You’re sure?” She looks up at me.
“Yes. I wouldn’t have left her if I wasn’t.”
“Thank God,” she mutters, clutching her hand to her throat. “I’ve been so worried.”
“I knew you would be. That’s why I came back here first.”
“You’ve got to out again?”
“Yes.” I pause for a moment. “I didn’t realise Amelie was the friend you met at Hampton Court Bridge.”
“Yes.” She smiles. “She’s such a lovely girl.”
“I know. But what you didn’t know is that Gordon Templeton is her guardian.”
Her mouth falls open. “Well, it’s a small world,” she whispers.
“Yes, isn’t it?”
“So that’s how she came to have your telephone number here? Because she’s involved in your case?”
“Yes. I gave her my card, in case she needed to…” I pause wondering what to say next, and Aunt Dotty raises her eyebrows playfully.
“In case she needed to what?”
“Nothing.” I wish I hadn’t said anything now.
“Well, you’ve spoiled all my fun,” she scoffs. “I was hoping to introduce you to each other.”
“No, you mean you were hoping to matchmake between the two of us,” I reply, going back to the door, on my way out.
“Perhaps,” she says. “But I get the feeling I’m too late for that, aren’t I?” Her shoulders start shaking with laughter as I roll my eyes and make a hasty exit.
I run back to The Fox, taking it a little slower than I did on my previous journey. Well… I’m not quite so worried about Amelie anymore, although I am concerned that someone followed her. And why they did so.
I open the door to the pub to find it’s considerably busier than it was earlier. The seat at the corner of the bar where I left Ellis is vacant though, and I glance around to find he’s nowhere to be seen. The landlord catches my eye and I go over to him.
“Where’s my friend?” I ask.
“Call of nature,” he replies, giving me wink.
“I see.”
I’m not best pleased that Ellis has deserted his post, but I suppose it can’t be helped.
“Coffee?” the landlord offers.
“Thanks.” I resume my seat and wait. The landlord places a white cup and saucer containing hot, dark coffee in front of me, and within a few moments, Ellis appears at my shoulder.
“You’re back,” he says, announcing the obvious.
“Yes.”
“Everything alright?” he asks, the noise of the crowded bar disguising our conversation.
“Yes. Miss Cooper was upset and shocked.”
“Any idea who followed her?”
“No. I suppose it might be connected to the case,” I reflect, turning to face him. “Someone had slashed the tyres on her bicycle, so she had to walk home…”
“What’s wrong?” he asks as I stop talking rather suddenly.
“Well, I was going to say that Johnson was perfectly placed to vandalise her bike…”
“And I’d agree,” he says. “But I’m sensing you’re not convinced.”
“No. I am. It’s just, how would he have known which bicycle was hers and that she didn’t have enough money for the bus?”
He stares at me for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe he’d seen her coming into work on her bicycle,” he replies. “And as for the bus fare… perhaps he didn’t know about that at all. It could be that he worked out she wouldn’t be able to take her bike on the bus with her and she’d have to walk home with it.”
“I suppose…”
“Still not satisfied?” he asks.
“I’m not saying that,” I reply, although I do still feel uncertain. “But if it was Johnson, and if he’s our man for the murders, where does the RAF uniform fit in?”
“Well, I suppose it doesn’t, not yet. But it might do once I’ve finished my enquiries with the RAF station, and once Thompson has finished his investigation into Mr Johnson’s background.”
“Whoever it was, he ran off when she stopped walking.” I’m thinking out loud.
“And?”
“Why do you suppose he did that?”
“I don’t know.” He sounds a little exasperated at my musings. “Maybe something spooked him. Maybe he never intended to hurt her… just to scare her off.”
“Or to distract me,” I reply.
“How do you work that out?” he asks, sitting up a little in his chair, as though the thought has never occurred to him.
“Well, if I’m concentrating on Miss Cooper and whoever’s pursuing her, I’m not fully focused on the case, am I?”
“I suppose…” he replies, echoing my earlier response.
I take a sip of coffee. “Oh, I don’t know,” I huff out. “I’m sure I’m imagining things, but I’m starting to feel like I’m being manipulated.”
“How?”
“It’s like I’m being led up long, elusive paths and down dead ends.”
“Isn’t that what detective work is all about?” he asks.
“Yes. But there are too many blind alleys this time. Something’s not right about it… and I intend to find out what.”
“How?” He looks me in the eye.
“Well, I’m going to start with finding out what it is that Gordon Templeton’s hiding from me. We’ll go and see him tomorrow and get to the bottom of it. At least that’ll be one less mystery…”
Chapter Fourteen
Two murders in such quick succession was taking a huge risk, and I know it. Especially with the way I handled that last one. At the time, the opportunity had seemed like too much to miss out on, but now, in the cold light of day, I’m feeling a little less sure of myself. Despite my best efforts to divert Inspector Stone from his investigations, the police still seem to be everywhere; in the streets, knocking on houses, and especially in the pubs. It’s a shame they’re so prevalent in the pubs, because that’s where I like to ply my trade. I’m not really interested in jumping out on women in dark back streets. There’s something rather grubby about that, I think. I suppose I’ll just have to choose my times a little more carefully in future.
As it is, I’ve already decided I’m going to have to lie low for a while and wait until things quieten down before doing anything else. Still… a few days should do it. Just long enough to let them become complacent again, and then I’ll be able to get back to it.
I can’t wait…
*****
“Thank you for coming back and seeing me last night,” Aunt Dotty says, spreading home made jam over her toast. “It was very considerate.”
“That’s alright.” I sip m
y tea, keeping half an eye on the clock.
“Are you running late?”
“No. I told Amelie that I’d take her into work today, that’s all.”
She smiles. “So you’re being considerate to her as well,” she teases.
I don’t reply, and concentrate on finishing off the last of my breakfast.
“How is she getting home?” Aunt Dotty asks, taking the hint.
“I’m going to try and finish in time to collect her, but if not, she’s going to catch the bus.”
“Well, if you can’t bring her home and she does have to come by bus, tell her to telephone me first and I’ll walk down to the bus stop and meet her. I don’t want her walking up the road by herself. It’ll be dark by then…”
I reach over and take her hand in mine. “Thank you for that. I’m not the only one being considerate, it seems.”
“Ahh, but are we doing it for the same reason?” Her eyes are twinkling again.
“We’re both doing it to keep Amelie safe… so yes.”
“You’re not fooling me,” she says, shaking her head.
“No. I’m sure I’m not. But I’m also leaving now, before you can start quizzing me.” I get to my feet and go out into the hallway, putting on my coat and hat.
“You’re no fun, you know that, don’t you?” she calls after me.
“It’s been said before,” I reply, loud enough for her to hear.
“I doubt that.” I turn and I realise she’s followed me and is standing by the door into the dining room, looking at me. She takes a few steps closer so she’s right in front of me. “I know you never actually introduced her to the family, and I don’t know why you broke up with her, but that woman you were engaged to was never right for you, Rufus,” she says, seriously. “You were pretty miserable when you were courting her.”
“I know.” Well, I do now.
“So… let yourself be happy.” I’d love to. I just wish my job wouldn’t keep getting in the way…
I lean down and give her a kiss on the cheek and then open the front door and make a hasty departure. If she had the vaguest idea about how deeply I feel for Amelie, I have no doubt she’d be up to even more mischief.
