Chapter 55: Chapter 55

And my Jade-Eyes is with me. As Klempner struggles for my throat, as I grapple for his, she stoops, seizing the crowbar. She dances for a moment, trying for a clear angle. I pull to one side, as far as I can and Charlotte darts in and swings. Klempner’s eyes widen as they follow the arc as she brings three feet of steel bar down on his outstretched arms.

The sound as it contacts makes my stomach lurch. The bones crack and Klempner drops, screaming, convulsing on the floor in what has got to be unbearable pain, before suddenly falling still.

His gun….

It lies on the floor beside him…. Almost an offering….

Should I finish it?

But she would be safe then….

He’s unconscious….

It would be murder….

But outside, lights flash blue. One car after another is screeching into the yard, uniformed police piling out.

The remaining gang members are surrendering….

And he’s going to spend the rest of his life in a cage….

She will be safe.

Charlotte looks up at me, beaming a smile.

“Get some fucking clothes on,” I snarl.

*****

Five Years Ago A car crunches up the track, pulling into the yard. Mrs Collier looks out from the kitchen to see a uniformed police officer stepping out. She emerges, wiping soapy hands on a cloth.

“Afternoon officer. Is there something we can do for you?”

“Good afternoon Mrs…?”

“Collier.”

“Thank you.” He takes a notebook from a pocket, jotting into it. “Good afternoon Mrs Collier. I’m looking for someone, a young woman by the name of Jennifer Conners. I understand she lives at this address.

Is she around?”

“Jenny? No, she’s not here.” Mrs Collier frowns, pursing her lips. “Is she in some sort of trouble?”

“Nothing to worry about.” The officer’s smile is tight and somehow, not pleasant. “I just need a word with her. Got a couple of things we need to clear up. Where would I find her?” He swings his head around the yard, eyes invisible behind dark glasses.

“As I said, she’s not here,”

Something subtle shifts in his manner, an air almost of menace. He flips back a couple of sheets in the notepad, tapping on one with the point of his pencil. “I have this as her address.”

“She did live here, yes. But Jenny left a few days ago.”

His mouth quirks. “Left? Really? Well, that’s a pity. Did she leave a forwarding address?”

“I’m sorry she didn’t. She left us quite suddenly. We have been trying to contact her ourselves, but….”

*****

Two pairs of eyes look out….

“Do you think he's really a policeman?”

Tom shakes his head. “Why would the police want Jenny?” He listens carefully, then, “No, I know that voice. I know exactly who that is.”

*****

Mrs Collier is uncomfortable with the police officer. Always she has believed that the police are here to protect, to help. But there is something….

He checks his notebook again. “And is a Mr Thomas Patricks here? I’d like to talk to him too.”

“Tom? Yes, he should be around somewhere.”

*****

“Damn. Stay here.”

Mrs Collier is calling for him. Tom squeezes her hand then strolls out.

*****

The officer turns to an approaching figure, emerging from a shed.

“Good morning, officer. How can I help you?”

The policeman looks at Tom long before speaking. “Perhaps you can tell me where I might find Jennifer Conners? If I can't interview her here I'll have to issue a warrant for her to attend an interview in the City.”

“Jenny didn’t leave an address,” says Tom. “Is this something to do with that home she came from, Blessingmoors?” He shifts his stance, a touch of defiance perhaps. “I saw it in the newspapers, that there’s been all sorts of trouble there.”

The officer jots another note, speaking as he writes. “There was an incident at Blessingmoors, yes.” His voice is smooth, rehearsed, controlled. “Nothing for a young girl to concern herself over.”

Tom shifts again, hooking thumbs into his pockets. “Is that right? I understood that there were scores of reports coming in about what had been going on there. Half the staff under arrest. The other half missing. That kind of thing. I’d have thought that amount of trouble would have been enough to keep the…. City police…. very busy.”

“You seem very well-informed Mr Patricks,” drawls the officer.

“Just what I’ve read in the papers.”

A figure crosses the yard to join Tom. Neatly dressed in a clean sweater and jeans, hair freshly trimmed, she stands next to him. Tom curses under his breath then lays an arm across her shoulder.

The cop’s eyes, even through the dark glasses, settle on the girl.

“And who's this then?”

“My sister, Katy. I look after her now.” Tom keeps his gaze locked with the sunshades.

The uniformed man stares his blank, shaded stare at the two. “Pretty little thing,” he comments. “You should take good care of her. Who knows what can happen to young girls these days.”

With a flick of the wrist, he snaps the notebook shut. He turns back to Mrs Collier. “Can you suggest anyone else I might ask about Jennifer's whereabouts?”

Tom turns to interrupt anything she might say, but she’s already speaking. “You could try the Bennetts.

It was their son Chad that she was married to.”

“Married?” The officer snaps a look at Tom, but then, “And where would I find the Bennetts?”

Mrs Collier blithely gives directions to the house. “And, if you do manage to contact Jenny, do ask her to get in touch, would you. We’d like to hear from her. At least to know that she’s alright.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.” He stares hard at Tom and Katy, then turns, gets into his car, slams the door shut and drives away.

*****