The Girls in the Lake: An addictive and gripping crime thriller (Beth Adams Book 2)

by Helen Phifer

  ‘Josh, is everything okay?’

  There were muffled voices in the background, which sounded as if they were getting agitated and louder.

  ‘Not at the moment. You were right to be concerned, I… Tamara, where are you going?’ He yelled so loud she pulled the phone away from her ear.

  ‘Oh shit, she’s a bloody nuisance. Got to go!’

  He ended the call and Beth smiled, feeling a little better. She knew something was suspicious about a pair of bodies turning up on the same day, in the same lake. She’d felt it in her bones and was suddenly glad she’d pushed to question it. Charles wouldn’t have. Maybe it was fate that she’d been called to deal with them. It didn’t matter; the main thing was Josh believed her and they had averted another drowning, a third victim. She wanted more than anything to drive to the marina to help, but she’d been drinking. Instead, she refilled her glass and returned to her show, confident that Josh and his team would be doing everything they could to get to the bottom of this.

  Forty-Seven

  Josh ran after the girl, who was heading back towards the boat. He caught up with her and gently took hold of her arm.

  ‘What are you doing? We need to get you home and dry if you won’t go to the hospital to be checked over.’

  ‘I don’t want to go just yet and I don’t want to go with her.’ She pointed at Karen.

  ‘Should I ring someone to pick you up?’

  ‘No, bloody hell. As if my night hasn’t been ruined enough. Why can’t you take me?’

  He didn’t have a car, that was why; he’d left it at the station. He looked around to see a couple of officers getting out of an unmarked car.

  ‘Come with me then.’ He gently led the girl to where they were.

  ‘Evening, can I take this car and you get a lift back? I need to get her home sooner rather than later and she won’t go with Sergeant Taylor.’

  ‘If you want, Josh. Unless you want us to take you home, love?’

  The response officer looked at Tamara, but she shook her head.

  Josh sighed. For some reason she had taken a liking to him which might make her more talkative in the car. He needed to find out what had happened. The officer handed him the keys.

  ‘Thank you.’ He turned to Tamara. ‘Let’s go.’

  She did as she was told.

  He heard a voice behind him whisper, ‘Good luck,’ followed by laughter and he shook his head. ‘I need all of those people on the boat spoken to about what happened. I need to find out how she ended up in the water; if anyone saw anything; if it was an accident and someone maybe stumbled into her. I also want everyone’s names and addresses for follow-up interviews tomorrow. Get them to leave the boat two at a time and take their details as they disembark. There’s more officers on the way.’

  All three of them looked over to the boat. On board, someone, presumably the birthday girl could be heard sobbing and wailing about her party being ruined; the two officers looked back at Josh, who shrugged.

  ‘Sorry, but it’s nothing to do with me. I didn’t ruin her night. As soon as I’ve taken Tamara home I’ll come back. If anyone points any fingers at a pusher, arrest the person in question and get a full witness statement.’

  He ducked into the car before the officers could complain too much.

  Inside, Tamara managed a little smile with her still-blue lips. ‘Claudia is going to be so pissed with you for ruining her party.’

  ‘Actually, I think you were the one who ruined it. I’m not taking all the blame.’

  ‘I guess that’s me off her guest list for future events. You’re not even in the running.’ She laughed.

  Josh joined in, turning the dial on the heater all the way up and looking to check she wasn’t still shaking. A small trickle of blood ran from her right nostril.

  ‘Oh – your nose is bleeding. Are you sure you’re okay? How old are you really, Tamara?’

  She pulled the sun visor down to check her nose. Using the sleeve of the jumper Josh had given her from the back of the car, she blotted it away.

  ‘What’s that got to do with anything? I’m eighteen.’

  ‘I just want to make sure you’re above the age of consent.’

  She reached out and slapped his arm. ‘Why? Not you as well.’

  ‘To be questioned without an adult present.’ His cheeks burned as he realised how bad that question might have sounded.

  ‘Oh, yes, I’m definitely old enough for that as well as voting, drinking alcohol and having sex, although I’ve had sex more times than I’ve voted.’

  Josh felt his cheeks turn redder. What was it with this younger generation? They talked about the stuff most people kept private as if it was nothing. He wished Karen had come with them, or that Sam had arrived a bit earlier, because he felt awkward.

  For a few minutes they drove in silence, then it was Tamara who broke it.

  ‘I can be a bit of a nightmare, sorry. I went below deck to use the bathroom and one of the guys serving drinks was down there. I sort of know him through going in the pub he owns. I don’t know what he was doing on the boat.’

  ‘Marcus Johnson?’ Josh felt his heart begin to race; this was too much of a coincidence to be ignored.

  ‘Yeah, Marcus. I don’t know his second name. Anyway, he sort of backed me into a corner. His hands were all over me.’

  ‘What did you do?’

  ‘Slapped him. Then another guy came down, the one with a shaved head. He looked horrified at what he’d seen. I pushed my way out and went back on top. Next thing I know someone is shoving me hard from behind. The heels I was wearing were too high. I fell forwards, lost my balance and fell over the railing into the lake.’ She looked at Josh. ‘That’s it. I don’t know who pushed me, I didn’t see them. A part of me thinks it was that creep Marcus, another part wonders if it was one of the girls who maybe don’t like me that much.’

  ‘Thank you for sharing that, it helps with our investigation a lot.’

  ‘Why is there going to be an investigation?’

  He glanced at her pale face; mascara trailed down her cheeks and flecks of glitter that had begun the night on her eyelids were now sprinkled across her nose.

  ‘Tamara, someone tried and succeeded to push you into the lake. If we hadn’t been on a boat in the area you could have drowned. Fortunately, you didn’t; we managed to pull you out before that happened. At worst, it’s attempted murder. At best grievous bodily harm. I’m not sure yet until we’ve ascertained the exact circumstances, but whatever it is, it’s serious.’

  She nodded. ‘I can still taste the water in my mouth. I thought the cheap champagne they were serving on the boat was pretty crap. It turns out not as crappy as Lake Windermere.’

  She paused. ‘The third house along, with the wooden gates.’

  He stopped outside a huge house set in its own grounds with wooden gates blocking access to it from the road. She opened the car door.

  ‘Thanks, what’s your name again?’

  ‘Josh Walker, Detective Sergeant Josh Walker.’

  ‘Well it was nice to meet you, just a shame about the circumstances.’

  ‘Don’t you want me to take you in and talk to your parents?’

  She shook her head. ‘They’re not in, probably up at the golf club. I’m okay, just tired and cold. Oh, and I look a mess as well.’ She began to dry cough into her hand. ‘I’m probably going to catch a cold, but I’ll live. If you need me for anything you know where I am.’

  She got out the car and typed a code into the electronic keypad on the gate post. He waved at her, waiting for the gates to open and catching a glimpse of the huge house behind them. If he thought Beth’s house was stunning, this was practically a mansion.

  ‘Good night, Tamara. If you begin to feel unwell then ring an ambulance or get yourself to the hospital.’

  She rolled her eyes at him, dismissing him with a wave of her hand. The gates began to close and she disappeared from sight.

  A heavy feel
ing settled over Josh. He was sure she was okay, but he’d have preferred it if she’d let an ambulance crew check her over. Or at least if he’d been able to inform her parents. The fact that she was eighteen and capable of making her own decisions made it difficult for him to do anything more. He turned the car around to head back to the marina.

  Forty-Eight

  James, Marcus and Ethan had spoken to the police and given brief statements along with all the other passengers. When they’d all left, and police had finally gone, James opened a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and filled three glasses with ice. Pouring generous measures of the whiskey over it, he then passed one each to Marcus and Ethan.

  ‘What a fucking disaster.’

  Ethan didn’t speak. He wondered if James realised that most of this was the fault of Marcus and his wandering hands. If he hadn’t tried to grope that girl, he wouldn’t have had to challenge him and she wouldn’t have gone back up on deck and fallen into the water. Ethan took a small sip of the amber liquid. He wanted nothing more than to go home to his cabin.

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  James looked at him. ‘Not much I can do. The coppers said the boat was not to leave the marina. No more charters until there’s been a thorough investigation. I’m going to lose my licence for sure, not that I’ll have any customers after this. Might as well give it up.’

  Marcus shrugged. ‘Bloody stupid cow. What was she thinking going into the water?’

  Incredulous, Ethan glared at him. ‘If you’d kept your hands to yourself none of this would have happened. I don’t think she intentionally decided to plunge into the lake.’

  Marcus stood up. The glass he was holding slid from his grasp as he tried to balance but stumbled forwards. It smashed to the floor, spraying James and himself in whiskey.

  ‘Bloody hell, Marcus, sit down, you idiot. You can’t stand straight,’ James yelled at him.

  Marcus ignored him, taking a step closer to Ethan.

  ‘You’re just a jealous prick. She wanted me and you know it, you could see it in her eyes.’

  He lurched for Ethan, swinging his arm. Ethan, who wasn’t able to move fast enough in the confined space and was too drunk to duck in time, felt knuckles connect with his eye socket as a blast of hot pain shot through his brain. He stumbled back, falling onto the sofa he’d been sitting on, clutching his eye.

  ‘Police! Stay where you are.’

  Ethan looked up to see two police officers standing at the top of the steps that led below deck. He blinked his good eye and wondered if he was hallucinating. When he opened it three officers were coming down the steps towards him; one of them had a Taser drawn. He put up his hands.

  ‘Not me, I didn’t do anything.’ He pointed towards Marcus, who was nursing the hand he’d punched Ethan with.

  The woman with the Taser spoke as she aimed the yellow gun at him, and two red dots appeared on his chest.

  ‘Marcus Johnson? You are under arrest; do not move or make any sudden actions.’

  James also threw up his hands. ‘What is this about? You have no right to come at me like this. My solicitor will have a field day with you lot.’

  ‘You’re under arrest for assault and the attempted murder, contrary to section 1 (1) Criminal Attempts Act 1981, of Tamara Smythson. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?’

  ‘What the hell?’

  Before Marcus could move, two officers had his hands cuffed behind his back. He began to laugh, and James and Ethan watched in horror.

  James stood up. ‘This is my boat, what’s going on? He didn’t attempt to murder anyone.’

  The female officer nodded, and the other two began to lead Marcus towards the steps, where he stumbled, struggling to stay upright. He’d stopped laughing when he realised they were serious.

  ‘We’re taking him to the station. The best thing you can do for your friend is get him a solicitor.’ She turned to Ethan. ‘Do you want to press charges?’

  ‘No, not at all. I mean he’s an idiot, but we’re drunk. It’s been a pretty crap night.’

  They watched as Marcus was led up on the deck and taken away. The officer turned around.

  ‘Don’t go anywhere in case we need to speak to you both as well.’ She left them standing staring after her, mouths open in shock.

  James ran his hands through his hair.

  ‘I need to get off this damn boat and back home. I’ve had enough of it. You should go home too, Ethan.’

  ‘How? Actually, can I borrow your rowing boat? I can row across the lake to my cabin.’

  James shrugged. ‘You can do what the hell you want. I’m going home to sleep in my bed for a few hours, then I’m going to shower, get dressed and go find that Chloe girl who works at the Hydro. I need a shoulder to cry on and a pair of breasts to lose myself in.’

  He laughed, but Ethan knew he was being serious. Standing up, Ethan wobbled his way onto the deck and to the back of the boat where the smaller wooden tender was tied up. He heard James shout, ‘Try not to drown, I’m in enough trouble as it is.’

  Ethan smiled to himself; he hadn’t drunk nearly as much as the other two. His eye was swelling shut, making it even harder to see in the rain and the dark, but he didn’t care. He wanted to get home.

  Clambering down into the boat, he picked up the oars and struggled to put them into the rungs to keep them secure. He leant too far and felt himself toppling backwards, landing on his back with a thud. As he lay there in the lashing rain, he stared up at the small motor and realised his prayers had just been answered. He didn’t need to row; it had an engine.

  Forty-Nine

  The sound of the front door slamming shut in the wind awoke Beth from her slumber on the sofa with a jump, all her senses on high alert until she heard Josh’s voice.

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise how windy it was.’

  He walked into the lounge where she was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. She did a double-take; he looked dreadful. There was two-day stubble across his chin, his eyes were bleary, and his shirt was crumpled.

  ‘What happened?’

  She didn’t miss the glance he cast at the empty wine glass on the coffee table, then around the room to see where the bottle was. She’d already hidden the empty bottle in the recycling container, not that it was any of his business how much she’d had.

  ‘Can I get you a drink?’

  He shook his head. ‘No thanks, I’m too tired.’ He crossed the room towards her and she pulled him close. Beth wrinkled her nose; he smelt like the lake – the musty, earthy smell of someone who had been by the water. Instantly she was transported back to Friday night when she’d fallen in. She stepped away from Josh in alarm, and even though she told herself to let him have a hot shower and get some sleep, the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

  ‘What’s going on, Josh? I know you were at Jodie’s last night. I saw your car there this morning. Why didn’t you come home?’

  His pale face flushed deep red. ‘Nothing, well not what you’re probably thinking.’

  ‘What am I thinking then? Because you haven’t been home for two nights. I don’t think I’m too demanding; the least you can do is be truthful.’

  She didn’t know whether it was the surprise of being caught out, embarrassment or anger but his voice was much louder than usual.

  ‘Were you spying on me? I haven’t lied to you about anything.’

  ‘No, maybe you haven’t. But you also haven’t exactly been telling me the truth. Are you and Jodie back together? Have you been sleeping with her?’

  Confusion clouded her mind; he looked so hurt and dejected.

  ‘Is this you, or your friend Chardonnay speaking?’

  She was speechless. He’d never mentioned her drinking before. Anger sparked inside her chest.

  ‘What else is there to do? You’re never here and when you should be, you’re telling lies and sneaking around with ot
her women. This is my house. If I want a glass of wine, I’ll damn well have one.’

  Afraid to face him, she ran towards the stairs and her bedroom, slamming the door behind her for good measure. She was angry with Josh, but also angry with herself for behaving the way she just had, and for reminding him he was in her house. She threw herself into the bed, pulling the duvet over her head and listened to him moving around downstairs. Eventually, he came upstairs, but he didn’t open the door. Instead, she heard him go into the bathroom and the shower turn on. As she lay there wondering why she’d behaved the way she had, waiting for him to come to bed, the wine began to work its way around her brain and her eyes began to close. She was asleep before he’d even stepped under the shower head.

  Opening her eyes the next morning, her heart tore in two when she realised that, once more, she was alone in her king-size bed. She lay there confused and blinking. It was still dark outside and the sound of the driving rain as it lashed against her bedroom windows was somewhat comforting. Josh would be in the spare room or on the sofa. She got up, pulled on her dressing gown and went to check, stopping in her tracks as she passed the bathroom and noticed his toiletries no longer taking up shelf space. Her heart began to race. She rushed to the spare bedrooms, checking all of them. He wasn’t there. Opening up the closet, she realised his case was missing and felt a sharp, stabbing pain inside her chest. She ran down the stairs, praying he’d be curled up on the sofa and an anguished cry left her mouth when she realised he was gone. Rushing to the front door, she threw it open and was instantly drenched by the rain driving down. His car wasn’t there, just hers. Beth, what have you done? she whispered into the rain, her words lost in the downpour.