The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1) (20 page)

1

Zoe
was reduced to tears after hearing about Barbara’s death. She couldn’t get the
tragic news out of her head. Who would want to kill Babs?

The
police had extended their search beyond the hotel, the guests and staff and,
whilst they knew that Zoe could not have had anything to do with the tragedy,
they needed to discover as much as they could about Barbara and her trip to
London.

“Are
you sure that Barbara didn’t have any other business in London, apart from the
Conference?” asked Fairway. Zoe shook her head. “She didn’t say. She just said
she would be available if I needed a chat.”

“Did
she have any enemies that you are aware of?”

“She’d
had a stalker in Leeds.”

“A stalker?
How serious did it get? Did
she report him to the police?” asked Grain.

“Yes.
He made her life a living hell. He was there all the time, watching from the
shadows. It didn’t matter where she went; whether it was shopping, or out to
dinner, he was there. He photographed her every move. Eventually, he was
charged and banged up.”

“He
was a tosser,” added Vana.

“Is
he still in prison?”

“No.
She said that he had recently been released.”

“How recent?
Did she give a date?”

“Weeks,
days – I don’t know; it was just a passing remark.
He’s out now
. That’s
all she said. Until yesterday I hadn’t spoken to her for ages.”

“Thanks,
we’ll be in touch – but if you do think of anything, no matter how minor,
here’s my card.”

“How
did she die?” asked Zoe.

“She
was strangled,” replied Fairway.

2

“What
I want to know is, who the heck told the police you were in hospital,” said
Vana, turning on the television. Zoe looked at her, blankly. “I’d completely
forgotten that,” she said. “You don’t think the old woman is still around, do
you?”

“Yeah,
hello, who else would they think was your grandmother?”

“I
wish I hadn’t made those stupid videos.”

“Don’t
beat yourself up about it, you weren’t to know,” said Vana. “What did you talk
about with Babs?”

“Everything,
I think.”

“What
do you mean,
you think?
” Vana muted the television. “Well, I was
hypnotised,” replied Zoe.

“Even
so, you must remember something; think.”

“Just
Babs saying,
Invite the fear in
. That’s all I can remember.”

“Bollocks.
It sounds to me as if she’s deffo back... and she’s now killed both Helen and
Barbara. Well, screw me, and call me Mary. Christ, what are we going to do? We
have to get help.”

“Vana,
you’re freakin’ me out,” said Zoe, running her fingers through her hair. “She
can’t be back. We stopped the curse, remember? Anyway, where could we get help
from?”

Vana
thought for a while.

“I
know.
The library at Uni.”

3

Vana
had just popped out for something to eat when Dr Reilly came to visit Zoe. He
brought along with him a young American doctor, Dr Clementine, who was a
nutritionist. She was a very pleasant, slimly built lady, in her early 30s, who
had not been working in London for very long. She had followed her partner over
from Chicago, Illinois, a year ago when he was appointed to head some drug
trials at the hospital.

The
two doctors spoke gently, but firmly and at some length, to Zoe as they tried
to explain to her what the Anorexia was doing to her body. They both knew that
this was difficult for Zoe, but needed her to understand the dangers. She’d
heard it all before from Dr Smith and Dr Webster. However, this time it sounded
different. She was no longer a 15 year old girl, but an adult.

Dr
Clementine had worked on a nutritional programme for Zoe to take away when she
was discharged. “Zoe, dear, I want you to remember that you are not alone. I’m
only at the end of a telephone, or my computer. We all want to help you get
through this.”

“Thank
you,” said Zoe, as she wiped her eyes.

4

Vana
called in at the hospital cafeteria and picked up an egg sandwich and a packet
of cheese and onion crisps – her favourites. She then sat on a bench,
overlooking a rose garden which was full of beautifully coloured blooms, and
watched some elderly patients enjoying the last of the day’s sun. It was so
peaceful, birds sang in the trees and the bees buzzed around fragrant flowers.

However,
Vana was not relaxed for very long. Soon her thoughts went back to the deaths
of Helen and Barbara, and she just wanted to call home and have a comforting
chat with her own mum, who had not been too well recently.

5

Zoe
was just finishing some soup when Vana returned, magazines in hand. “Everything
OK?” she asked.

“Yep,”
replied Zoe, “the doctors are so helpful, and Dr Clementine is so nice. Did you
get something to eat?”

“A
soggy egg sandwich – it was OK. But – I have some news!”

“What?”

“Well,
I rang home and spoke to my mum about Helen, and...” Zoe sat up in bed. “Oh,
how is your mum? Are her test results back?” Vana smiled. “Yes. She got the all
clear; it was just a scare, thank God.”

“That’s
a relief.”

“Anyway,
back to the gossip. Helen’s murder is all over the news and in the local rags.
They’re all saying the same –
that
it was a horrific
crime, but no other details have been released yet. The poor dog-walker who
found the bitch ended up in hospital – daft bugger, he had a heart attack.”

“Vana!
What else did your mum say?”

“She’d
keep me updated if she heard any more news.”

Zoe
sighed. “This has got to be one of the worst weeks of my life.”

“It
will get better, hun. You’ve just got to listen to what the doctors say, and do
it. It’ll be tough, but I’m here for you.” Vana moved over to Zoe, and gave her
a hug. “It’ll be alright. Now, let’s see if we can find Sky One on this.”

6

When
Vana left for the night, Zoe spent some time flicking through celebrity gossip
in the magazines. She didn’t know that she was under strict surveillance
throughout the night – and not only from the nurses. A shadow person lurked in
the darkness and watched her every move.

1

The
next morning, Saturday, and Vana was on her way to the hospital. It was a
perfect day; the sun shone, the sky was blue, and there was just a slight
breeze. All the passengers on the bus were complaining bitterly; despite Vana
opening her window, the heat was unbearable. “I don’t know what’s worse – a
hot, sticky, packed tube, or this,” grumbled Vana. “At least I’ve got a seat.”

An
old lady with a blue perm got on the bus. She smiled at the driver, “Morning
Bob – it’s certainly hot today,” she said, showing her bus pass. “I hope I’m not
too early again?”

“No,
you’re good; it’s Saturday.”

“Of
course it is. I don’t know where my head’s been this week. Especially with this
heat; I don’t know how they expect you to drive in these conditions.”

“That’s
one of the downsides to this job – no air-con, but hey, it could be worse.”

The
lady sat down next to Vana, who in turn removed her earplugs and smiled at her.
“Hello, dear.
What a superb day,” she said,
pleasantly. “Wow! You’re brave,” said Vana, as she noticed the blue hair. “Oh
sugar; I am so sorry,” she continued, apologetically. “Don’t be,” cackled the
lady, “I’m getting used to it now. It’s a blue rinse gone wrong!”

“Well,
it does – kinda – suit you.”

The
lady giggled. “My hospitalised husband thinks he’s married to Marge Simpson.”

“Oh!
Is he alright?”

“He
is, now, thank you. He’s had an operation on his troublesome knee. It’s a
blessing, really – I’m enjoying the peace and quiet.”

Vana
smiled. She always managed to attract lonely old ladies who wanted to chat, but
she didn’t mind. She had had many an interesting conversation during her
travels.

The
lady went on to reminisce about her time during the War when she was part of
the Women’s Land Army. She had worked on a farm because the men had been called
up to war, and she made Vana laugh when she told her about the first time she
had milked a cow! The Land Army girls had their own song –
Back to the Land,
and the lady gaily sang a few bars of it to a slightly embarrassed Vana!

The
journey went quickly, and the bus soon pulled in at the hospital. “Quick dear,
let’s get off this bus before we faint,” said the lady, struggling to get up.
“Don’t worry, I’m right with you,” chuckled Vana, as she helped the old dear
off the bus.

The
hospital was busy with the usual hustle and bustle of visitors looking for
their relatives’ wards, children running around and toddlers screaming.
A pale, gaunt-looking old man, wearing a blue and white robe, stood
outside the main entrance, smoking.
Vana and her new friend said their
goodbyes, and wandered off to their respective wards.

2

Vana
reached Zoe’s room just as Dr Reilly came out. She walked in and was pleased to
see that, at last, her friend had a little colour in her cheeks – but it was
obvious she’d been crying.
“Hi hun.
Sleep well?” she
said, as she walked over to give Zoe a hug. Zoe smiled. “Kinda, I suppose –
once I got used to the machines bleeping, and the horrible sensation of the
needle pulling every time I tried to move.”

“Don’t!”
said
Vana, covering her mouth. “I’m feeling sick as it
is.”

“You
OK?”

“Yeah,
the bus was just SO hot and crowded, and everyone was coughing and spluttering.
Not a nice experience, that’s for sure. Still, I did meet a funny old lady who
told me all about her time as a Land Girl in the War – and she sang to me!”

“You
always attract them – I don’t know how you do it!”

“I
know! I could write a book... Anyway, what did Dr Reilly say?”

“Not
a lot really. But he said I might be able to go home today. He’s coming back
later to let me know.”

The
girls started to look through the papers Vana had brought in with her. “Hey,
Vana, you’ve gotta see this,” said Zoe, pointing to an article about Helen’s
and Barbara’s untimely deaths. “The police are linking them because of the
similarities in the injuries – and, look, it’s the same as Ellwood described.”

“You’ve
got to be pulling my shoelaces; let’s have a look.” Vana picked up the
newspaper and was soon engrossed. “I don’t believe this. You know, I don’t
think the curse has been broken. Remember, Zoe, she told the police you were
here. It had to be her; the house was empty! And, besides, these murders are
identical – it’s no co-incidence. She’s deffo killed them.” Zoe felt a tingling
sensation shoot down her arms and into her feet; she started to sweat. “Why?
Why would she kill them?”

“I
don’t know, Zoe.” The girls looked at each other. “Can you think of anything
else you talked to Babs about?”

“Vana,
I don’t know if it’s the drugs, but my head feels that fried – I feel like a
noob!”

“Come
on, Zoe, I need you to think,” urged Vana.

“Why?
What does it matter?”

“Well,
it all seemed to kick off when you met up with her.”

“My
mind’s blank!”

“OK,
not to worry; we’ll forget it for now. But you know what I found weird
yesterday when you collapsed?” said Vana, remembering her phone which she took
out of her bag.

“No.
What?”

“Well,
here’s the spooky stuff. Where you fell was right outside Charles St Claire’s
house.”

“No
freakin’ way. How do you know that?”

“I’m
telling you the truth, babe. I saw it. Here, look at the photograph,” she said,
as she passed over the phone. “What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?”
puzzled Zoe.

“The
plaque on the wall, look.”

“It’s
blurred – there’s only an orangey-white wavy line in front of a door.”

“You’re
having me on. Let’s see,” insisted Vana. “I took a photo of a blue plaque. It
had his name on it.”

“You
must’ve had your finger covering the lens.”

“No,
wait,
this is the same thing that happened on the
lads’ phones the other day.” Zoe started to breathe heavily, which set off the
monitors and brought Nurse Carlyle rushing into the room. “What in God’s name
is going on, Zoe? Is everything OK?”

“I’m
fine. Just a bad memory, that’s all.”

“All
I ask
is,
please try to keep these monitors quiet,”
smiled the nurse as she re-set the machines. “Zoe, I need you to take it easy –
otherwise Dr Reilly won’t let you leave early,” she said, glancing at Vana as
she left the room.

Vana
knew that the two deaths and Zoe’s collapse were all linked, and Hagatha was
behind each one – but she didn’t want to say anymore while Zoe was in such a
fragile state. “Let’s change the subject.”

3

Vana
left Zoe to her lunch, and walked outside to the gardens again. She sat on a
bench in the glorious sunshine. A young family played on the lawn while their
mother watched on as she glanced through a magazine. However, it was a lonely
old lady on a picnic bench, wiping the tears from her face, who attracted
Vana’s attention.

Taking
out her mobile, she dialled a number.
“Hello, mum.
It’s only me. Is everything alright?”

Caroline,
a brunette in her late 40s, was outside in the sun, enjoying a drink from an
oversized mug. Even though she was the wrong side of forty, she was still a
very attractive lady, and Vana had certainly inherited her good looks. “Yes
thanks, love. I’m doing fine.
Just sitting in the garden
enjoying this lovely weather and having a cuppa.
How’s Zoe doing?”

“She’s
looking much better now. I think the doctor will discharge her today.”

“That
is good news. Vana, promise me you’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Yes,
mum, I promise. Have you heard any more about Helen?”

“Only
what’s in the papers, and I guess you’ve seen that. But I meant to ring you
back last night; did you hear what had happened to Barbara?”

“Yes,
mum. Zoe is distraught.”

“I
can imagine. OK, I’ll give you a text later as Sandra will be here soon. We’re
going into town shortly. Look after yourself – and give Zoe my love.”

“Will
do, mum. Love you.”

4

When
Vana went back to Zoe’s room, she was surprised to see that her friend had been
disconnected from the monitors, and was sitting on an easy chair looking out of
the window. “Hey, that’s good! Has the doctor been in?”

“Not
yet. Just the nurse – but she confirmed I might be able to make my escape later
today.”

“Effin’ fantastic.
How would you feel about
staying over at mine tonight?”

“That
would be amazing; you sure?”

“YEAH!
I’ll give Matthew a ring and
warn him we’ll need a ride.”