Spiritwalker (21 page)

Anna stood up to shake his hand but was roughly pulled into a bear hug by the chef.

“It's great to meet you Anna, I'd watch this one if I were you, he's a dark horse” he said with a twinkle in his eye as he released her.

“It’s very nice to meet you. Don't worry I'll be on my guard.” She laughed.

“I'll leave you two at it. Don't want a gooseberry hanging around. Enjoy your meal. I'm the chef tonight so you'd better. Anna if you get tired of this guy, give me a ring.” He winked at her and went back to the kitchen whistling to himself.

The waiter came and took their order and they settled easily into conversation.

“Tell me about yourself Anna Cotter.” Morley said gazing at her across the table.

“I think you know most of it by now.” Anna laughed.

“I think I've only reached the tip of the iceberg.” he replied fixing his blue eyes on hers.

“Okay then but it’s not that interesting. I'm twenty seven years old. I have two sisters both older. One, Aileen lives in Australia and is married with two children a boy six Adam, and a girl four, Bella. I think my sister called her that because she loves the Twilight films so much. My other sister Aoife is a nurse she's married to Jason but they don't have any kids yet. They live in Dublin. My Mum and Dad live in Dublin too. Dad's retired he was in the army, loved every minute of it. My mum still runs her own business jointly with a friend. She's an antiques dealer, they have a small shop in the city centre. They do very well there. What about you?”

“You already know my sister Andrea, then there's my baby sister Cara, she's a teacher. I believe you've spoken to her also. That's it just the three of us. My parents are both dead, they left us an equal share in our home. Andrea signed it over to me and Cara. We both still live in it. I have a feeling that Cara would like it all to herself though. She keeps trying to fix me up on blind dates.”

“Is that so bad.” Anna laughed at his grim expression.

“It is if you saw the people she thinks are suitable. One of them was a colleague of hers. She invited her to dinner one night. I'm still convinced it was a man. I didn't wait to find out. I legged it as soon as we'd eaten. I warned her not to spring surprises like that on me again.”

“I'm sure she means well.” Anna laughed

“She should bloody well date them herself then. If she knew I was out with you tonight, she'd have us as an item before long.” He looked at Anna, both of them wondering the same thing.... Would that be such a bad thing?

“Anyway” Morley broke the silence. “That was amazing tonight. I'm still trying to get my head around it. How do you do it?”

“I suppose its second nature to me now. I can leave my body any time. It’s called astral projection, I just need to be somewhere quiet, undisturbed. I just kind of float out and I can see and hear everything around me. Just as I do now. I can't do anything about it if I see trouble....like tonight. I just have to return to my body and sort it out in person. Except sometimes I can get animals to help.....like tonight. Do you remember the dog?”

“The dog?” He asked puzzled, then it dawned on him. “That dog....that was you?”

“Well not exactly, the dog was real. I am able to get them to follow simple commands. For some reason dogs are aware of me. Cats too but they just run off terrified if I whisper to them. Dogs are more aware and more trusting.”

“Wow, that's amazing. It never crossed my mind it might be you trying to tell me something. I was too engrossed in finding the suspects.” He was truly surprised. “How does that work?”

“To be honest I don't know myself. I suspect that it’s to do with the way dogs have a heightened sense of awareness, or at least people think they see more than we do. They just seem to sense me. I remember when I was younger, around seventeen and I had told my family about my abilities. Of course they didn't believe me at first but it didn't take long to convince them. I used to spy on my sisters it worked for a long time. Until they discovered that Brandy our retriever always knew when I was out of body and spying on them. They used to bring Brandy along if they wanted to be alone. He always barked and wagged his tail when he sensed my presence. It was a pity. I couldn't sneak up on them any more after that. It was almost midnight before they became aware that they were alone in the restaurant. All the other customers had gone and the staff were cleaning up around them. “I'm so sorry” Morley said to the waiter and he asked for the bill. “We lost track of time.”

“Not a problem sir, there is no charge. Compliments of Mr Huntley.”

“Oh no he can't do that, is Geoff still here?” Morley inquired.

“I'm afraid he's gone sir. He said to tell you he would talk to you in the morning.”

“But I have to pay the bill, I can't leave without paying.” Morley insisted

“I'm afraid you will get me fired sir if I charge you anything for your meal. Mr Huntley was most insistent.”

“Very well, Robert.” Morley conceded looking for the first time at the name plate on the waiter’s waistcoat. “I wouldn't want to get you fired. Thank you so much for a lovely evening, I'm sorry we kept you so late.” He took out his wallet and left a fifty pound tip on the table. “He can't fire you for getting a tip now can he?”

“No sir.” The waiter said gravely.

They walked out of the restaurant with Anna giggling softly to herself. When they were safely out of earshot Morley burst out laughing.

“He was a bit drool, wasn't he” He laughed as he imitated the waiter’s serious tone.

“Yes sir.” Anna agreed. Mimicking the waiter.

They reached the car. “Are you okay to drive?” Anna asked.

“Perfect. I only had two glasses of wine all night. I don't care that much for it. I prefer beer.”

“Oh no, you must think I'm an alcoholic. I must have drunk the rest. I didn't realise you weren't drinking.” She was slightly embarrassed.

“Not at all.” Morley said as he started the car and drove out of the car park. “I just don't drink and drive. Next time we'll get a taxi.”

“Next time?” Anna enquired hopefully.

“I know I’d like to.” Morley said suddenly serious as he glanced at her. “Would you?”

“Absolutely” Anna replied instantly and a wave of heat surged through her that had nothing at all to do with the amount of wine she had consumed. “I'd love to.”

A half an hour later Morley drew the car to a halt outside the Westhall's home. It wasn't until that point that Anna realised that she had forgotten to tell Morley about the events of the previous night.

“Gary. “ Anna said looking at him as the moon peeped out from behind a cloud and lit up his features. “I almost forgot to tell you about my...... for want of a better word......experience last night. I was hoping you could throw some light on it.

“Go on.” He could see she was bothered by something. “What happened?”

“Well, last night I was awoken by a woman. She was young, Asian, really pretty. She told me that Jane wasn't dead. That I had to hurry, she said that Jane didn't have much time.” Anna stopped and looked at Morley wondering how best to continue.

“Who was she? Did you get her name? Did she come here?” Morley was looking at her confused.

“I'm not explaining this very well.” Anna stammered. “She was dead, a spirit.”

“A spirit, I thought you weren't that kind of psychic, didn't see spirits?” He looked more confused than ever.

“I don't....Didn't. This was different. She came to me, I was asleep, and she drew me out of my body. It's never happened like that before. I never see ghosts.”

“Are you sure you weren't dreaming?”

“Certain. She was as real as you are… except she was a spirit.”

“Okay” Morley said trying his best to get his head around what Anna was trying to tell him. Trying to keep an open mind. “Tell me exactly what she said.”

“Okay, she said her name was Simi. She said, they will say he killed me, he didn't. She said that Jane was alive but might not be for much longer. She said, he is afraid of me. That I'm the only one that can stop him.”

“Sounds very cryptic. Are you sure she was talking about Jane Turner?”

“Yes, I'm sure. I'm afraid it does seem very cryptic. She seemed to be trying to tell me everything she could as fast as she could. Cause seconds later she vanished. Sounds unbelievable even to me. What do you think?”

“Honestly Anna I think you were dreaming. This case has been on your mind so much and after everything that has happened it wouldn't be beyond reason to assume it was a dream.”

“But I know I wasn't dreaming. I know she was real.” Anna said obstinately.

“I'll look into it, but I've never heard of her, Simi was it?” He didn't want to argue with her but he was certain that she had dreamt the whole thing.

“Would you? That would be great. I'm sure Jane is still alive. I feel it. But I also feel that we are running out of time.” She felt better after telling him. She hoped he wouldn't start thinking she was unbalanced. “Thanks for tonight. I had a great time.” She leaned over meaning to kiss him on the cheek but he had turned his head and their lips met. As they kissed tenderly, any reservations Morley has vanished. He knew he would do anything to keep this woman safe.

Chapter twenty nine

Morley was at his desk early the following morning. Some of his colleagues had remarked on his sudden joie de vivre. He had greeted them all with a cheerful “Good morning.” Normally they were lucky if they a grunt. He didn't notice the whisperings going on around him. He was oblivious to the curious glances that were aimed at him. He sat there smiling from time to time as he thought about Anna. He found it hard to concentrate on the mountain of files that had accumulated on his desk. It was almost lunch time before he finished going over the files DCI Carter had given him. He was just considering going for a sandwich when the phone on his desk rang. It was Carter.

“Morley, this is Carter. I've got something I think might interest you. Can you come to London? Couple of bodies turned up this morning. We think they might have something to do with your missing woman.”

“Morley's heart sank. He was dreading telling Anna and the Westhall's the bad news when Jane Turner's body turned up, as he was certain it surely must. “Is it Mrs Turner? Have you found her?” He asked.

“No, definitely not her. A young Asian woman and an Asian man.” Carter informed him.

At the mention of the Asian woman, Morley's antenna spiked. “Have they been identified yet?”

“Not officially but it looks like a Dr. Naizi and his housekeeper slash mistress lived here. A one Simi....”

Morley didn't register her last name. His thoughts went back to last night and his conversation with Anna.

“Morley, you there?” Carter yelled into the phone for the second time.

“Yeah Sorry. You did say a woman named Simi, a young Asian woman?”

“Yeah, why, do you know her?”

“No, no Just thought the name sounded familiar.” He said hoping Carter wouldn't press the matter. She didn't. “How long have they been dead?”

“Best guess at the moment is twenty four to thirty six hours. The pathologist won't say more than that at the moment. You coming. Got something that might impact on your case.”

“What is it? What have you got” Morley asked

“Meet me at the nick.” And she hung up without another word.

It took Morley nearly three hours to get to London another accident on the motorway caused a traffic jam that created gridlock for nearly two hours. When he finally arrived, Carter was just heading out to interview Mrs Naizi.

“There you are Morley, traffic's a bitch today. I'm off to interview the wife, you wanna tag along? Carter looked flustered.

“Can you spare five minutes to fill me in?” Morley asked studying the incident room it was buzzing everyone was either on the phone or going through heaps of files. It was alive with activity.

“Just about. The shit hit the fan first thing this morning. We got a call from Naizi's office reporting him missing, hadn't turned up for work and wasn't answering his phone. A couple of officers were sent over, they located a key holder and entered his apartment. He was hanging from the rafters and the woman was dead in the bedroom.”

“Is this all for him?” Morley asked gesturing around the room at the hive of activity.”

“Yep, got a call from top brass as soon as his identity was known. He was a prominent Harley Street doctor, had a lot of high profile patients on his books.”

“Still doesn't explain all this.” Morley said “What else is going on?”

“It seems our good doctor was also a bad doctor. Treated a lot of high society clients for addictions they wouldn't like made public. It seems he performed illegal abortions, maybe even euthanized some patients.” Carter grimaced. “We found very detailed files on a lot of people.”

“Where does Jane Turner fit in? Was she a patient?” Morley was trying to get his head around the connection.

“We're not sure, there isn't a file on her. Sylvia Cavendish was though. Seems he performed an abortion on her some years ago. From what we could gather from his notes she was almost thirty five weeks pregnant and she was barely out of her teens.”

“Isn't that illegal?”

“Exactly. Unless the mother's health is in danger it is. It seems that her mother brought her. Naizi seems to have botched it and Sylvia was never able to conceive again.” Carter's expression was grim. “The bastard left a suicide note saying that he had murdered her. That's how we knew to check for her file. Killed himself, but not before raping and killing another beautiful young woman.” Carter was seething with rage, barely able to control her anger.

“Where does Jane fit in?” Morley asked.

“Not sure if she even does yet, but it makes sense, she finds out about Doctor Death here and confronts him. He abducts her and possibly kills her. We're nor certain yet. One thing though we did find a box with some jewellery and other bits hidden in the back of his wardrobe. We are under a lot of pressure with this one. They want it put to bed as quickly as possible.”

“You said he left a note, what exactly did it say?”

“Ask Jimmy over there to show you a copy, forensics have the original. Nazir's secretary says it’s his writing but we need to double check. Jimmy will look after you, I already told him to give you any help you need. I should be back in a couple of hours. Let me know what you think. Carter headed out barking at a young PC, who followed hurriedly.