Little Red (8 page)

T
he stairway creaked as he climbed cautiously. The flashlight flickered to life for a second to guide the way, the abnormal shadows cast upon the steps, his eyes saving a faded image of what was illuminated. He approached the landing and checked both ways, securing his blind spots, tactics he was taught when working alongside the Armed Response Unit. He made sure that each of the corners were cleared, that the darkness looming within them was not a patient demon awaiting the pounce. The music bellowed through the empty house, the howl startling him as he neared to door.
Hey there little Red Riding Hood…..you sure are looking good, you’re everything a big bad wolf could want….Howwwwwwwwwl……

The bright light appeared from underneath the door. Slowly
, it began creeping up the sides and to the top. The blackened wood was surrounded by a brilliant white……Nathan crept closer, the wheel brace poised in his right hand. He reached for the handle and turned it anti-clockwise. The clunk shook the weak frame as the lock was pulled free, the light intensified as the door opened itself slowly. Too bright to see, he sheltered his eyes from the room, stopping to focus his vision, a free hand guarding his brow. The whimpering from the far side of the room caused him to peek through open fingers. The large figure stood over the metal table, the tune he whistled rang in Nathan’s ears,
Hey there little Red Riding Hood……..,
the pitch increasing. The strands of matted fur could be seen through the light, they moved slowly as if a light breeze had entered the room with him. He attempted to focus harder, to create an image from the blur that stood before him.

The scene around the figure began to
focus slowly. The walls to his left and right came into view. The bright lights above bounced off the smooth white interior. The floor, a black tile effect, gained in detail. He could see the cracks and chips in the stone slabs and he followed the pattern to the feet of the unknown guest. Nathan began to walk sideways, moving to his left one foot at a time, his feet offered a low click as the heel of his shoes connected with the tile. The blurred figure remained still, whistling his tune over and over again.

He watched as the detail of the floor and walls neared each other, his vision was nearly in focus. The metal table legs glimmered
as they caught the light. The beams from above displayed a copious amount of dust, the tiny particles dancing above the figure’s hair.

The table top came into view and he noticed a pale blur moving at the end. He s
quinted, edging slightly closer with the wheel brace vibrating as it built up tension in his hand. The closer he moved, the clearer the scene became, his heart urged him to stop, to turn around and flee. His mind, on the other hand, was intrigued by the vision before him, he needed to see, to know what he was being shown.

He froze, unable to move……unable to breathe.

The young boy’s face turned to look at him. The golden hair matted with blood on one side. His eyes appeared black……..distant. The boy’s mouth slowly opened. Nathan tilted his head to one side as he attempted to read the words the boy was speaking……..he focused harder……………….HELLLP MEEEEE.

The crunching sound startled him
and he watched as the boys head fell to the side. The crimson liquid pooled up under his naked body, the fragile bones within his body were cracked in two, the rib cage snapped open piece by piece, the blurred figure operated messily. The table was too shallow to hold the child’s escaping life and the blood began seeping over the edges. Small puddles began forming under the figures feet, he remained still.

The wheel brace connected with the stone flooring and sent a clanging noise through the room. The figure turned sharply, its
dark red eyes fixed on Nathan. He turned to run but couldn’t……….the beast closed in one step at a time, the blood overflowing rapidly and covering the floor. The figure was closer now……Nathan tried to scream…….he couldn’t breathe……he was choking.

Jack shook his shoulders violently. The gasp awoke him and he stumbled from the chair to the carpet below. Startled he scanned the room quickly, trying to gather himself. Jack kneeled next to his friend, shaken by what he just witnessed. He waited until Nathan had come to, his eyes wide with fear.

‘Nathan…..hey, you ok
ay?’ he placed his hands gently either side of his face.

‘Nathan look at me man…….that’s it……now breath
e.’ He watched as Nathan began to recognise his surroundings, still slightly disorientated.

‘Holy shit Jack……..I couldn’t breathe!’ gasping
.

‘Hospital now…..come on’ attempting to pull him up.

‘No……I’m fine’ he struggled.

‘Bull-shit you’re fine…..up now!’ Jack pulled him up and lowered him down onto the seat.

‘Just breathe slowly mate…….tell me this is the first time this has happened’

Nathan shook his head.

‘Okay, how many times?’

His friend shrugged his shoulders.

‘Come on you old fool, stop acting like I’ve just smacked your ass…….how many?’

‘Hey……….I’m forty six years old Jack…..these things happen!’

‘Bollocks they do…….I’m pushing fifty!’ a glare fired towards him from Nathan, ‘Ok fifty two……and that has never happened to me!’

‘Look……take a seat
!’ Nathan advised.

Jack lowered his body to the floor. He leant his back against the wall and br
ought his knees up to his chest, still frightened by what he walked in on.

‘You remember what happened last time I helped you?’

‘Of course’.

‘Well you didn’t get the full story……..the reason why I ended up the way I did and what happened to me after it……………it’s because of that why Elle doesn’t like you so much!’

‘Ah, I see………….care to share?’

The mobile phone in Jack’s coat pocket began ringing an annoying tone. He dug deep to retrieve it.

‘Hold that thought a sec’ his finger held up towards Nathan who was still dazed.

‘Dawson…………………..WHEN?’ the call ended shortly after.

‘What is it?’

‘The Wolf…………He’s got another!
’

Chapter Six

T
he Mercedes sped down the busy street, the siren blaring wildly to instruct the blocking vehicles to move. London was the worst place to drive when in a hurry. Nathan felt himself reaching for the driver’s headrest, something sturdy to help support his position as he began sliding to the opposite side of the car. Malcolm gripped the steering wheel and appeared to put all his body weight into each turn, the wheels skidded upon the gritted roads.

‘The call came from a Primary School located three miles out of London. This afternoon a girl was reported missing………..so is her teacher!’

‘Do you think there’s a connection?’

‘Possible…….we ca
n assume for now that there is. The headmaster called the number from the pamphlets we had dished out………good call that mate!’

‘Common sense really’
.

‘How y
ou feeling?’ his face displayed concern.

‘Jack……I’m fine…honestly!’

‘Good….we can finish that chat once we catch this prick!’

‘Deal
!’

They stopped outside the school entrance. The children were still inside as the end of school was slowly
approaching. The young Constable made her way to the car as Jack and Nathan were climbing out.

‘Sir’
she began.

‘Talk and walk
…….what happened?’

‘The kids were out on their lunch break. The bell rang
, they all came in apart from one…….a ten year old girl called Abby Clough.’ Jack looked at Nathan.

‘Her parents were called in by the school, they’re inside now.’

‘Okay’.

‘I also suggested that the children and staff remain here as to question them’
.

‘Good, thank you……….what about the missing teacher?’

‘Well….he was a substitute teacher brought in this morning. The teachers noticed he was also missing when the head count order came to each class……the children were just sat in the room on their own. We searched the school and perimeter, but they’re not here. There’s no sign of a struggle on the premises or around the school for a fifty metre radius.’

Jack was impressed
. The relay of information from the woman and her attention to detail was impeccable.

‘Great work….stay with us, we could use another clear head on this’
.

‘Yes Sir’ attempting to hide a smile
.

They entered the double doors noticing the smudges of tiny hands as children had dragged them down the glass.
Nathan spied the collage of art work pinned to the boards, the long wooden panels had a blue fabric background although only tiny segments could be seen from under the paintings and small child hand prints, all in an array of colours. This was a place that should never be the hive for an investigation. The building had a welcoming feeling, like a home away from home. It was the type of school he would have liked to go to when he was a child. Paintings of smiling kids and wagging tailed dogs belonged…….not a crime scene investigation for an abduction case. The corridors were cluttered with uniformed officers, each and every one had their own designated task, none of them seemed wasted, they all moved with speed to accomplish their orders.

The teachers were segregated from one and other, a protocol which had been played for a long time when interviewing a possible witness…..keep them separate so they can’t converse with other possible witnesses
, that way, the stories that are relayed to the interviewers are fact from the witnesses perspective, if they talk with friends beforehand, other events come in to play, ones they may not have seen. Every room had been occupied as it was a small school. With the children, stood a police Constable, making an effort to engage with them and keep them distracted from the new visitors. Whilst chatting and appearing friendly they fired some vital questions for the class to answer,
so who played with Abby at lunch time?......what did you play?.....where did she go after you finished playing?

It was a long shot but on some occasions a child has provided a small piece of evidence to help push them in the right direction. It was the teachers who received the interrogation full force, especially the Head Master. Jack had entered the Head’s office with Nathan.
The parents of the missing girl were sat at his desk, their heads turned as the men entered. The small, balding man stood from his chair to greet them and Jack flashed an un-convincing smile. He motioned to the PC stood in the room to exit, the door clicked shut as he left.

‘Mr Mundon
, Simon Mundon?’

‘Yes Detective’ he answered timidly

‘Chief Inspector’ his eyes connected with the Head Masters.

Nathan looked the small man up and
down. He didn’t come across as an ideal Head. He wasn’t much of a frightening figure for the children to fear. He remembered his Head Mistress,
Jesus she was evil!

‘Sir, we have a situation here as you may well know’
.

‘Yes we do’
.

‘What can you tell me about the Sub Teacher who has also disappeared?’

‘Well, it was the first time I had met him. But he came highly recommended by St Paul’s Primary School………he was a teacher there for a long time, so they told me’.

‘Right, how did he appear?’

‘Well at first I thought he was too young to be a teacher, never mind a substitute. He was a charming man and knew his English Literature very well. I was surprised to be honest, but he seemed ideal for the position.’

‘Do you have any records detailing his p
lace of residence, a CV maybe?’

‘Yes of course, we complete a thorough check of any possible teachers, to ensure they are the best person for the job. He has been on our records here for several weeks. We needed an English teacher to cover for Miss Carrigot. We received a text message this morning from her, saying that she was too sick to come in. The receptionists had to find a replacement and quick, Mr Breen was the ideal person for the job!’

‘When was he noticed missing?’

‘Well, it would be after lunch. We complete a head count every time the children return from outside. We noticed he wasn’t in the classroom when the receptionist had set out to collect the numbers……that’s also whe
n we noticed that Abby had gone’.

Jack had been taking notes throughout the whole conversation, barely raising his head to face the man.

‘I see. Can you arrange a copy of Mr Breen’s personal details please?’

‘I’ll ask Anne to get it for you…….Breen, Oliver Breen…..that’s his name.’

Jack extended his arm, thanking the mole like man.

‘Afternoon, I am Chief Inspector Dawson, you are the girl’s parents?’ he asked, talking to the couple.