Tick Tick Tick (23 page)

I can actually feel my hand tremble as I turn the handle on the flat door. A quick glance down – no letters. The fax machine is empty too; I can feel the relief wash through me. I notice a message flickering on the answer machine and hit the play button. It’s from Dr Marion Clements, Connie’s friend. Can Connie give her a call, she has now worked out most of the riddles? Jesus, a break at last. I don’t have her phone number and think that 11:30 p.m. is a little late to be calling anyhow. Hell, it can wait till morning. I’ll see if the police files can track her number down.

I’m bone weary; all I want is to curl up in bed and drift off to oblivion, where the dead cannot beg you for answers that you don’t have. I throw off my clothes and slide in. The sheets are cool and the pillows soft to the touch. My hand automatically reaches over to Connie’s side, but I can only feel the empty space which matches the vacant place in my heart. I wonder where she is, what she’s doing? Does she miss me at all?

I fall into a restless sleep, tormented by the vision of Thomas Johnson. I haven’t had these nightmares for a while, but now they’re back with a vengeance. I can see his face smiling at me; the angular features, eyes as dark as death itself, the mouth twisted in a sneer. I’m running, steaming towards him in desperation; he throws himself to one side, turns and shoots at me – I’m diving for cover, my eyes still desperately trying to seek him out. The screaming fills the air; I hear the first shot
phttt
. More screaming, I see blood on the floor; then more shots
phttt, phttt, phttt, phttt
. Five bodies in all. The firearms unit finally arrives, one of them running, aims his gun, trains it on his heart and squeezes the trigger –
boom
. He goes down, the twisted smile still in place. The screaming is hysterical; I look down at the bodies – five young, innocent children lie dead on the floor, their blood spilled because I was moments too late.

I can still clearly see their mothers’ eyes, the disbelief in their faces, as they rush to grab the dead children, hugging them to their breasts, yelling their names; their sobs coming fast and furious, and then their eyes on me, hatred, pure unadulterated hatred for my failure. They weep together like a tidal wave, mounting, peaking and then the utter silence of shock sets in. I stare at the tiny bodies in their blood-soaked arms.
I failed
.
Oh sweet Jesus, how I failed… and I can never forgive myself.

I wake with sweat pouring off me, my body trembling from head to toe. Dear God, it’s happening all over again. I need Connie, need desperately to speak to her, hear the soft but strong voice, to know that she’s safe. God, I ache for her.

I know I’m going to break a cardinal rule – what if he’s monitoring my calls, can I take the risk? Use the mobile phone; less chance of being traced, unless he has his very own Simon the ping ping. I wander into the lounge; paper is protruding from the fax machine, and I know it’s from
him.
I hadn’t even heard the phone ring, I’d been so caught up in my nightmares. I slip on the latex gloves and followed the usual procedures.

To Whom It May Concern: perhaps Preston Law.

The heat is all around it

The temperature soars within

Deserving of all who live there

You can only put yourself in.

What am I?

Your nemesis.

Pouring myself a large glass of whisky, I slide into the chair, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I’m failing again. I know that time is running out; he’s killing so frequently now. I finally admit to myself that I need Connie’s help – I’m getting nowhere. I punch in the numbers on my mobile phone; it rings out for a while. Just as I think it’s going to go to an answer message, she answers.

‘Hello?’ God, it feels so good to hear her. Damn it, I miss her so much.

‘Hey babe.’ I can actually feel my voice thicken with emotion.

‘Downey?’ Her voice, unsteady and unsure for a change.

‘I’ve missed you.’ I finally say it.

A pause. ‘I’ve missed you too.’

‘I need you to come home.’

‘So it’s safe for me now?’ she asks with no trace of malice or sarcasm – it’s just a question.

‘No it’s not. I still need you here, but that has to be your choice… I can’t guarantee your safety.’

‘I heard about Preston Law,’ she says gently.

I swallow a gulp of whisky, and also my pride. ‘He’s way out of control,’ I say.

‘I know.’

‘Can you come back? I got another riddle tonight.’

‘Is that all you need me for?’ she asks, a slight hesitation in her voice.

‘You know it’s not.’ I know she won’t make it easy. She won’t be nasty, that wasn’t her style; but she wants the truth from me… finally.

‘Then tell me why I should come, after you threw me out.’

‘I didn’t throw you out; I just wanted to protect you.’ I’m nervous, and I know she can tell.

‘Tell me why I should really come.’

This time there’s no hesitation. ‘Because I love you.’

I can hear rustling at the other end. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Packing.’ I can feel a smile spread right across my face, the first smile in a long time.

‘How long?’ I ask.

‘Be there in half an hour,’ she says.

‘I’ll be waiting. Oh, by the way, your friend Doc Clements phoned, says she has some answers.’

‘I’ll call her on the way.’

I slide the phone closed and stare at the riddle.
You know what, you bastard? I’m coming to get you – really soon.

I hear the key in the lock twenty-five minutes later; I’m glad she rushed to get here. I sit in the chair, wearing the blue towelling dressing gown that she bought me a while back. I’ve lit candles; their orange glow flickering around the room, a bottle of her favourite Chardonnay is sitting in an ice bucket, already uncorked. I play Simply Red in the background – ‘Home’ – I thought it was apt.

She stands framed in the doorway, the golden hair like a halo; the creamy skin, so pure, so soft. She’s wearing tight pale jeans, frayed at the edges, and a red woollen jumper that accentuates every curve.

‘Wine?’ I ask, pouring a glass; not waiting for an answer.

‘That would be good.’ She puts down her case and slowly closes the door. I keep one eye on her as she wanders over; we’re like two lovers on our first date, each scared to make the first move.

I hand her the glass and she takes a small sip.

‘Have you been okay?’ I ask.

‘No, not really.’ Her eyes cloud.

‘Has
he
contacted you?’ I actually feel my heart pump faster.

‘Nothing like that,’ she says, putting down her glass.

I can feel my heart thudding in my chest. ‘Then what…?’

She puts a hand to my face, stroking it. ‘I’ve been lonely.’

Love and lust intermingle, pent-up desire fills up and overflows; I pick her up easily and carry her through to the bedroom, my mouth never leaving hers. Gently I lay her down, and begin removing her clothes. In seconds she lies there naked. God, I love her, with every breath in my body, every fibre of my being. I drop the dressing gown and slide across the bed. I kiss her until my mouth actually feels bruised; needing, wanting her, every touch, each caress is like a hot coal over my skin. We bury ourselves in each other; devouring, taking whatever, everything that we want.

CHAPTER 25

She lies in my arms; she’s wide awake, staring at me, smiling. I can’t stop kissing her; some days you just can’t stay kissed.

‘You haven’t asked me where I went.’

‘I don’t need to know; as long as you were safe, that’s all that mattered.’

‘You never checked?’ she asks, slightly surprised.

I can feel my lips creasing; I tried to stop them. ‘Not me – personally.’

She laughs. ‘So you did know?’

‘That you were safely ensconced in Manchester University’s Hall of Residence room 201? I might have heard a whisper.’

She playfully thumps me on the chest. ‘You sod.’

‘That’s me all over.’ I grab her again, and go for the second act – she doesn’t complain.

We must have drifted off together, but we both wake early, the sunshine actually streaming in the window for a change. She slips out of bed and shrugs on her silk dressing gown; damn she’s beautiful.

‘How about some coffee, sexy?’ she asks.

‘Sounds good, I’ll just grab a shower.’ I pinch her bum on the way past, and hear that familiar laugh. Man, it’s good to have her back home again.

The jets are strong; hot water lashes at my skin. I enjoy the massage, have a quick wash, and get dried in record time. And God, I am ravenous. The familiar smell of percolated coffee wafts my way, and the toast pops as I pick up the steaming mug.

I see her bent over the open notebook, reading the latest riddle. She spots the snap bags with the actual evidence; sure, you get no prints from a fax, but I want to protect it anyhow.

‘You haven’t called it in yet?’

I shake my head. ‘I’m trying to keep away from the suits.’

She arches her eyebrows. ‘You know you have to turn it in, you can’t withhold evidence.’

I nod. ‘I know, I just figured we’d give the riddles a go first.’

She steps over to her bag and pulls out her yellow pad, quickly flipping the pages. ‘Okay, let’s set them all out and put down the answers that we have.’ We set them out on individual pieces of paper on the floor.

Riddle 1

I live only to die

With half my life

Although sometimes surrounded

I have no wife

I breathe without breath

Yet I still make a sound

I look up to the stars

But begin in the ground

What am I?

A TREE

Riddle 2

I can take you to places you’ve never been

And show you sights you’ve never seen

I can bring you the world, a sight to behold

I can conquer the lands, with your stories untold

I can travel afar, and for a while keep you there

And yet, I’ve simply never been anywhere.

What am I?

IMAGINATION

Riddle 3

When time is the bearer of age to the place

I will own the tears and lines from your face

And when the hours from the sun, vary each day

I can light up or dim, have it your way

I can weep and smile at the same time as you

Yet nothing you say can I dearly hold true.

What am I?

‘I called Marion last night, she gave me two answers we didn’t have and matched TREE and IMAGINATION.’ She looks a little pleased with herself.

‘What’s the answer for riddle three then?’

‘A MIRROR.’

‘Damn it, it’s so obvious. Let’s keep going.’

Riddle 4

If you do not have me, you will surely feel alone

For only I embrace each and every one who asks for me.

Should you choose to walk alone or lose me

You will surely walk in the shadows of death.

I am found in your heart within your soul and beyond

And yet you cannot touch me.

What am I?

FAITH

‘Your doctor friend is extremely clever.’ I smile.

‘I keep only the very best of company.’ We can both feel the mood lighten as we actually start getting somewhere.

‘Keep going.’ I lean over and kiss the tip of her nose.

Riddle 5

I can cause you problems

But I can never solve them

I can give you false strength

And courage it’s true

But use me too often

You’ll be singing the blues.

What am I?

‘Now this one has a few answers,’ she says. ‘DRUGS, ALCOHOL, or even A MASK.’

‘Just write them down.’