HIDDEN SECRETS (23 page)

Simon lifted the sheet that covered his legs and stared at his useless limbs. They looked normal but when he tried to move, nothing happened. It was as if his legs weren’t there; he could see them, but he had no sensation of their existence, and he let out a cry of sheer terror. A nurse rushed to his side.

“What’s the matter are you in pain?” she asked anxiously.

“My legs, I can’t feel my legs,” he cried out in panic.

“I’ll get you something to calm you down, just try to relax.”

Simon wept unashamedly as the nurse hurried away in search of assistance. She returned a few minutes later with Doctor Sheridan, who promptly administered an intravenous sedative. The effect was almost immediate; Simon became light-headed and drifted into a drug-induced sleep.

“It’s very difficult to know how patients are going to react to such devastating news.” Doctor Sheridan spoke to the nurse.

“It’s very sad, he’s so young,” she replied sympathetically.

“He’ll come to terms with it, but for now he’ll need to be sedated until he calms down. Let me know when he wakes up will you?”

“Yes Doctor,” the nurse replied pulling a cover over Simon’s exposed shoulder.

***********************

Stanley Austin’s disclosure had shocked his enthralled audience.

“How did you know it was Judy and not Anne who died in the car accident?” Kate questioned Pat.

“I didn’t, but a certain lady by the name of Lilly Greensmith put doubt in my mind. I didn’t even know that Anne Parish had a twin sister until Lily told me. Just after the ‘so called accident’, Judy phoned her to tell her about Anne’s death. Lilly knew Anne’s voice, and she was certain she was speaking to her and not her sister, but without seeing her she couldn’t be certain. Anne wore a veil over her face for the entire funeral service, and went out of her way to avoid Lilly. This confirmed her suspicions, but she couldn’t prove anything. Shortly after the funeral, Lilly suffered a massive heart attack and was hospitalised for several months. When she was discharged, she was advised to rest and took a holiday. After she returned home, she put the matter out of her mind until I went to visit her,” Pat explained.

“You seem to have a special touch with the old dears Pat; if my memory serves me well, it was another old lady you charmed into solving the Dorkings case wasn’t it?” The inspector’s words were tinged with sarcasm rather than acclaim.

“Do I detect a hint of sour grapes Inspector; or are you embarrassed by your incompetent police force?  Pat returned the cynicism. Alex’s mobile phone interrupted the imminent altercation.

“Excuse me,” Alex glanced at the screen. “I’ll have to take this.”

Inspector Salt looked directly at Pat and glowered.

“I resent your remarks Hinds.  Your investigative methods were unlawful, and you paid for information.”

“It was a means to an end,” Pat replied.

“Can you save this discussion for another time?” Stanley was tiring of the bickering.

“I was merely pointing out,” Pat’s words were cut short by Alex’s return.

“I’m sorry for the interruption; if you want to continue Stan my appointments been cancelled so there’s no rush.” He had been advised by the doctor not to visit Simon as he was heavily sedated. Glad of the reprieve, Alex sighed and sat down.

“What’s wrong Alex?” Stanley asked.

“Everything’s fine; can we get back to the conversation now?”        

“There really isn’t anything else to say. I just wanted you to know the truth about Judy’s death.”

“It’s a shame you didn’t think to tell us sooner. If we’d have known Anne hadn’t died in that accident, we could have prevented these deaths. Have you any idea how irresponsible you’ve been Mr. Austin,” Inspector Salt reprimanded the old man.

“I didn’t come here to help you Inspector, and as far as I’m concerned I was a victim. Toby Lawrence threatened me; believe me I didn’t have a choice and I resent your remarks.”

“Have you any idea where Anne and Toby are living?” Inspector Salt enquired.

“They were living on the outskirts of Exeter; but that was a couple months ago. Anne rents a flat or whatever’s available. It’s only a temporary arrangement, every few months they move on to somewhere else. The last place I know for certain was Ashburton,” Stanley explained.

“Ashburton; that’s where Anne took me, it’s about twenty miles from here,” Ben suddenly recalled the location.

“It’s quite a big place Mr. Preston; it’s not much use if you can’t be more precise.”

“St. Margaret’s Court; I don’t know the number but I’d know the house. It was an old Victorian one with steps leading down to the cellar.”

“I’ll get someone to check it out,” Inspector Salt stood up and left the room.

He returned a few minutes later, and Kate turned to him.

“What are you going to do now?” she asked.

“We’ll just have to wait for Anne and Toby to make the next move and hope it’s not in the form of another body. I’m afraid your hotel will have to be kept under close surveillance,” he turned to Alex.

“I’ll need to know exactly who comes and goes, and all internal phones will have to be tapped. His mobile rang.

“Inspector Salt,” he listened then said, “good work Sergeant, keep me informed of any progress.”

He dropped the phone into his pocket, and glanced up to find all eyes trained in his direction.

“That was an unexpected piece of good news. It appears that Mr. Toby Lawrence is currently under arrest at Scotland Yard.”

“What about Anne?” Ben asked.

“She’s still at large, but Lawrence was in Ireland when he was arrested. I have to interview him, so I’ve been taken off this case for a few days. Chief Inspector Bissell is sending a replacement.” 

The Inspector left and the room fell silent. Pat fumbled around in his jacket pocket in search of his cigarettes.

“I’m going outside for a smoke.”

“I’ll join you,” Stanley followed him.

The two men stood in silence on the hotel car park. Stanley leisurely smoked a huge cigar as Pat drew nervously on his cigarette, discarded the butt and proceeded to light another.

“Do you have any idea where your daughter might be?” he asked Stanley.

“No, but when she finds out about Toby she’ll probably keep a low profile; she may even disappear altogether.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

“Are you ready to go back in yet?” Stanley asked.

“I just need to get something from my car,” Pat said as he made his way towards the battered Mondeo where he unlocked the passenger door, and reached into the glove compartment. He secreted a small item inside his jacket pocket, but Stanley couldn’t make out what it was.

“Shall we go?”

“What’s happened to your car?” Stanley asked noticing the huge dent in the car’s bonnet.

“An accident on the way here, a motor bike appeared out of nowhere. It was my fault I took my eyes of the road for a couple of seconds at the most. I was trying to light a bloody cigarette when I heard an almighty thud. I didn’t tell the police that though. Not that it would have made much difference though; he was driving like a madman.”

“The bike rider didn’t die, did he?” Stanley asked.

“No, but he might as well have done; he’ll never walk again. I feel really bad about it but there’s nothing I can do is there?”

“You could visit him.”

“And say what? Hi, I’m the man who put you in a wheelchair? I don’t think so pal,” Pat discarded his cigarette butt.

“Well at least phone the hospital and ask how he is?”

“Yeah you’re right; I’ll do that. Come on let’s go back in its bloody freezing out here.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THURSDAY EVENING

Having heard the news of Toby Lawrence’s’ arrest, Anne Parrish paced nervously up and down contemplating her next course of action. Toby knew what she was planning to do next and if he decided to talk, she could spend the rest of her life in prison. The police would be unable to pin any of the murders on him, but he could be charged as an accessory. Her biggest concern was whether he was prepared to betray her in exchange for his freedom; this was a question she did not know the answer to.

        To carry on without him was risky; but she needed the money and she wasn’t prepared to give up now. She would have to rethink her plans and make adjustments; but this time there could be no mistakes. Her only hope was Glen Meadows, she grabbed her mobile and quickly keyed in his number. He answered almost immediately, surprised to hear from her again.

“It’s Anne; we have to meet as soon as possible, Toby’s been arrested and I need to talk to you. Half an hour at the usual place and don’t tell anyone else.”

Glen didn’t get chance to speak as Anne ended the call; but she knew he would turn up. Picking up a jacket and handbag, she locked the front door and drove the short distance to the small bar to await his arrival. A few minutes later, his familiar white van turned into the car park. Anne got out of her car and followed Glen into the bar. He ordered their drinks and took them to an empty table in the corner of the shabby room.

“What’s happened to Toby?” he asked.

“He’s was arrested in Ireland; I told him to be careful but you know what he’s like. They must have been watching him. We’ll have to be extra careful now, I don’t know if he can be trusted or not,” she warned.

“So what are you going to do?”

“The meeting will have to be cancelled. I don’t want anyone else involved in this. Can you see to it that the other members are told? We must not be seen together; do you understand?” she emphasised her words.

“I’ll see to it; but what about the next job?”

“We’ll stick to the plan, but now you’ll have to take Toby’s place.”

“I can’t do that, you know I can’t.”

“Don’t be ridiculous; just do as I say and nothing can wrong.”

“What exactly are you planning to do?” he asked.

“A kidnapping,” she replied bluntly.

“Who’s your victim?”

“You don’t need to know that yet.”

“If I’m going to be involved I have a right to know who it is,” he persisted.

“You’ll find out later,” she picked up her glass and took a long drink.

Glen leaned forward and looked directly into her eyes.  

“Tell me now, or I walk away.”

“Don’t threaten me Glen,” her eyes blazed.

“I mean it Anne; don’t mess with me,” he whispered through tight lips.

“Alright, it’s a kid but that’s all I’m saying.”

“Oh no; I’m not getting involved in this,” Glen slammed his glass down hard on the table and stood up.

“Sit down now and stop drawing attention to yourself,” she grabbed his jacket.

Glen reluctantly obeyed. “I’ll go along with you this time, but afterwards I’m finished. This is the last time, and if anything happens to the kid you’re planning to kidnap, I’ll go to the police myself.” 

“Aren’t you forgetting something? I know it was you who planted the bomb under Lawton’s car; who incidentally wasn’t even bloody in there at the time. It’ll only take one phone call to the police and you’ll be joining Toby,” she replied slyly.

“You bitch,” he spoke through gritted teeth.

“Now that I have your full attention, I suggest you listen very carefully to what I have to say.”

Glen knew he was not in a position to argue with her, and leaned back in his seat with his arms folded tightly across his chest adamant that this would be the last time he would agree to her demands. Before he met her, he had a good job working as an electrician and had never been in trouble with the police. He had been taken in by her persuasive manner and yes, he had been attracted to her, but recently she had become too fanatical and his feelings towards her had turned to loathing. Now he responsible for the death of at least three people, and it weighed heavily on his conscience. After this last escapade of hers he was disappearing; he’d already made plans to leave the country and she would never be able to find him. For now, he listened as she outlined the final part of her evil plan.

BACK AT THE LOTUS

Pat and Stanley re-joined Kate and Ben who were engaged in a private conversation, and barely noticed them enter the room. Alex was in the corridor engrossed in conversation on his mobile phone. Kate looked up as they walked past her.

“Alex has suggested going out for something to eat; what do you think?” she asked Pat.

“We won’t get anything here so we may as well,” he agreed.

“What about the police? I thought they were sending another officer over,” Stanley reminded them.

“We can’t stay here indefinitely; I’m sure no one will turn up until the morning anyway,” Pat replied.

Alex returned to the room, his face pale and fraught with anguish.

“You look awful Alex; what’s wrong?” Stanley asked.

After a few minutes silence Alex spoke.

“You asked about Simon earlier; we had a disagreement and he left two weeks ago. I found out yesterday that he’s been involved in an accident. He was riding that damn motorbike and was in a collision with a car on a blind bend.”

Pat felt his heart thud so heavily in his chest he had to sit down immediately. The taste of bile rose from the pit of his stomach into his mouth, as he desperately fought the urge to vomit. Pat’s reaction to Alex’s words was instantly noticed by Stanley, who stared open-mouthed in his direction.

“How is he now?” Kate asked.

“Well, he’ll never walk again, but he’s alive,” Alex was close to tears.

Stanley looked directly at Pat and then towards Alex. He knew the truth; he knew Pat was the driver of the car. Pat attempted to avoid his gaze, but it was accusing and relentless.

“Haven’t you got something to say Patrick?” Stanley asked. “You had plenty to say outside didn’t you?” he goaded him.

“What’s going on Stanley?” Alex looked puzzled.

“Perhaps our journalist friend here could enlighten us. Come on Patrick I thought you liked telling stories?” Stanley continued to provoke him.

Realising he was cornered; Pat had no choice other than to confess.

“I’m really sorry Alex.”

“Will someone tell me what’s going on?” Alex asked.

“Patrick was driving the car that hit Simon,” Stanley delivered the devastating news.

No one spoke; the room was in silence as Alex struggled to take in his friends words.

For the first time in a week, Pat desperately needed a drink; his mouth was dry and his stomach was in knots.

“Look, it was an accident he was speeding; there was no way I could avoid him,” Pat stared at Alex, desperate for forgiveness.

“It would have helped if you had kept your eyes on the road, instead of trying to light a cigarette,” Stanley dug the knife in deeper.

“One cigarette; I hope you bloody enjoyed it. It’s cost Simon the use of his legs,” Alex leapt to his feet, but resisted the temptation to lash out at Pat.

“The police measured the skid marks at the scene of the accident; he was travelling between 90 and 100km an hour I couldn’t avoid him; you have to believe me,” Pat pleaded with Alex.

“There will have been an extensive investigation, and the car subjected to a vigorous inspection Mr. Lawton. If there was the slightest doubt of the vehicle’s condition, it would not have been allowed back on the road. I can look into the details of this accident for you, but the fact that Mr. Hinds was released without any charges being made, proves what he’s saying. Unfortunately we see too many victims of excessive speeding and they’re usually on a mortuary slab. I’m sorry to sound insensitive, but it’s a fact of life Sir,” Inspector Salt spoke out in Pat’s defence.

“You’re forgetting one thing inspector; Hinds admitted to me that he had taken his eyes off the road for several seconds. That has to be driving without due care and attention, and causing an accident,” Stanley continued to argue the point.

“Unfortunately, that's hearsay. We only have your word for that,” Inspector Salt correctly pointed out.

“I know what I heard; why can’t you be a man and admit what you’ve done Hinds?” Stanley raised his voice.

Pat had nothing to say; he was well aware of his culpability, and he was not about to incriminate himself, but in his defence he spoke.

“It was an accident I’ve already told you, he came out of nowhere. Is he a relative?” he added.

“No he’s my long-term partner; I’m gay,” Alex spoke with pride.

“I didn’t know and for what it’s worth, I really am sorry.” No one could doubt Pat’s sincerity, but it did nothing to alleviate the tension building in the room.

“And you seriously think that your apology makes everything alright? You exonerate yourself and clear your wretched conscience, so you can just walk away,” Alex’s expression was horrifying as he breathed deeply through flared nostrils.

Pat sensed Alex’s increasing hostility and backed away as he inched slowly forward.

“I think you had better calm down Sir; you don’t want to do anything you might regret.” Inspector Salt stood up and positioned himself between the two men.

Pat was gripped with fear as Alex’s eyes burned into him. Neither men spoke as they stood a few feet apart. Then Alex suddenly reeled backwards as if he had been awakened from a trance. Steadying himself on the arm of an adjacent chair, he sank wearily into the seat.

“Are you alright?” Stanley asked.

“I don’t know what came over me I’m so sorry,” Alex looked dazed.

“It’s understandable you’ve had a severe shock; but violence will only make matters worse. It’s still early days and you’re understandably angry, but it’s futile to blame Mr. Hinds for the accident. When these feeling have subsided; and they will, you’ll be able to think more rationally and look to the future. Believe me I’ve had plenty of experience dealing with this type of incident,” Inspector Salt spoke with compassion and understanding. 

“I’m not a violent man Inspector, but I feel intense loathing and resentment towards this man. Simon and I had a good life together, we lived a very private life, and he has taken that from us in a moment of thoughtlessness,” Alex glared in Pat’s direction. 

Inspector Salt’s mobile was ringing again. He answered and nodded, barely uttering a word.

“Right, I’ll have to leave you to sort out your own problems,” he announced, “Toby Lawrence is now in custody.”

“What’s he being charged with?” Ben asked.

“I can’t say yet, but it looks as though we might finally be making some progress. I’ll let you know when I have all the facts.”

Inspector Salt left without a full explanation whilst Alex continued to verbally abuse Pat.

“Do you really think this going to change anything?” Ben attempted to intervene.

“Keep out of this; it’s your fault that we’re all in this shit,” Alex snarled.

“O.K. I catch your drift; but can you call a truce for now and talk about it later?” Ben held his hands up.

“I’m quite prepared to be civil about this,” Pat agreed.

“I bet you are you bastard,” Alex was furious.

“I’ve had enough of this I’m going out for something to eat. Does anyone want to join me?” Ben interrupted the feuding pair.

“I’ll come with you,” Kate replied eager to be away from the fracas.

“Would you mind if I joined you Ben?” Stanley stood up.

“No, feel free; but I didn’t think you’d want to spend time in my company?”

“Maybe I misjudged you,” he replied meekly.

Kate and Stanley followed Ben out of the room, leaving Alex and Pat alone.