I've Been Watching You: a stunning crime thriller from The North East Police Series (35 page)

‘Can you tell me what the man looked like?’

She closed her eyes trying to remember. Later she could beat herself up all she wanted over letting him get close to Clarice, but she knew the information Ali wanted might help catch him.

‘Not really, we literally crossed paths on the doorstep. He was white, wearing uniform but he had a cap pulled right down over his face. I think he had a beard but I may be wrong. I’m sorry.’ Gill’s voice finally broke and she started to cry softly.

Ali handed her a tissue from the box on the table. ‘I’ll give you a couple of minutes.’

Making his way down the hallway towards Clarice’s room, he wondered about Bernice’s reaction. He knew that Clarice lived with Gill after getting involved with drugs in the past. Hell, he knew the whole history. But Bernice’s behaviour had thrown him off balance a little. He’d half-expected to have to break the pair apart when Bernice lost it, but she’d just stormed out. He shrugged his shoulders as he reached the bedroom door. Grief was a funny thing. Sometimes there were just no explanations.

‘Hey guys, what’ve we got?’

Max placed a tiny screwdriver back in his toolkit. ‘The camera was turned off, but from what I can see he was using her own internet signal to bounce the footage to his location. We’re taking the lot back to the lab and I’ll try and trace back from there.’

Deena chimed in, ‘The camera will be sent off for chemical enhancement, it’s small and fiddly and I don’t want to ruin any potential prints. The chem lab will be able to do it better based on the multiple surface types. While Max was looking at the laptop, I had a look through her bedside drawer. She keeps a journal but the last entry has been ripped out. I’m going to send the journal off for ESDA analysis. It should highlight the indentations on the next page which may show us what she’d written,’ added Deena. She referred to the electrostatic detection analysis that could be used to highlight indentations on flat surfaces like paper.

‘Great, thank you.’ Ali made his way back into the living room. Gill was still sitting where he had left her.

‘They’re just about done in there. Can I call anyone to come and sit with you?’

‘No thank you, Inspector. I’ll call Bernice later and make peace. Though she has every reason to hate me. I think a little of it is blaming herself. She couldn’t cope when Clarice turned to drugs, with the other three kids only young she panicked. Didn’t want trouble in the house I suppose. But she loved her daughter dearly. And now she’s gone. And whilst I know you’re doing everything you can to find the man who did this, it won’t bring her back, will it?’

‘You did a good thing, Gill. You took Clarice in and helped her turn her life around. What happened isn’t your fault. Clarice was a very bright young lady. She was doing well at college. I know because we spoke to her tutors. None of that would have happened if you hadn’t taken her in. Try not to blame yourself. It seems to me you did a lot more for Clarice than you’ve been given credit for. It can’t have been easy getting her off drugs and away from that life.’

‘No I suppose it wasn’t. I love that girl like she’s my own. She was always a good girl who just got led astray. I wish I knew who her boyfriend was. She’d said she was seeing a man, but I didn’t get any details. He won’t even know what’s happened.’

‘How long had they been together?’

‘Oh I don’t know, a couple of weeks maybe. Not long. She seemed quite smitten though. I think I’d like to take a rest now, do you mind?’

‘Not at all. I’ll be in touch with you and Bernice shortly, OK?’

He stood to leave just as Bernice walked back in the door, tears streaking her face. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean …’ Gill jumped to her feet and pulled her friend into a tight hug as Bernice started sobbing.

Taking his leave by patting Gill’s arm, he left the two of them holding each other. He was glad Bernice had come back - the pair needed each other right now.

Noticing his vehicle was the only one present, he realised Deena and Max had already left. He climbed into the car and rubbed his hands over his face. Damn he was tired, it felt like forever since he’d slept. He felt like there was something he had missed, something obvious he needed to know. But it wouldn’t come. With a sigh, he started the car and headed back to the nick.

Chapter Twenty-four

19
^th
June, 1615 hours – O’Byrne residence, Sunderland

‘I swear I’m going nuts being cooped up in here. I can’t do this anymore.’ Ben was on the phone to Cass and felt the need to vent.

‘Listen to me, you need to stay there. Grace and Aoife are safe, and you need to be too. You can’t go about your normal daily duties until this nut job is caught, do you understand me? This guy is dangerous, Ben. The last thing anyone wants is for him to get his mitts on you because you were too damn stubborn to listen to advice. I’m coming over tonight. Me and Alex, we’ll bring Isobel.’

‘No! You can’t bring the baby here. Hell, you can’t even come here, Cass. If this monster is watching and sees you guys, he might decide to hurt you, too. You’ve been through enough.’

‘But I’m worried about you. I know how hard it was for you to tell me everything that happened. This guy is gunning for you. I need to know you’re safe.’

‘Look, I promise I will not go back to work or even leave the house without a cop with me. But there’s nothing in the fridge for a start, I need to go get some food. And I haven’t seen Grace in two days. I’m honestly going stir crazy in here. How long does it take for Ali to catch this guy?’

‘Alex has said he’s going back to work to help. Jacob’s team are working on all the digital angles and Kevin has all the other stuff under control. All you need to do is stay safe so that beautiful little girl keeps her mum. I know it’s not easy, but I know first-hand what happens when someone bad gets their mucky mitts on you. You’re my friend, Ben. I don’t want anything to happen to you.’

‘I know. I’m sorry, you’re right. I’ll stay inside.’ Ben said the words but she still wasn’t quite sure she believed them herself yet. Saying her goodbyes, she hung up the phone.

Jacob had been listening from the kitchen table. ‘She’s right you know. You should stay inside. But I know what you mean, it’s tough. Why don’t I phone Ali and say we’re both going out, me and you? I’ll drive us to Asda, we can have a wander, get the bits you need and maybe have a coffee in the café You can ring Grace. At least it’s a slip of normalcy? And nothing would happen in a crowded supermarket.’

Ben walked over and put her arms around his neck from behind. He kissed her forearm and placed his hand over her arm. They stood for a moment, and when Ben released him, he grabbed his mobile and spoke to Ali. It took some persuading, but eventually he agreed. The cops would stay outside the home, and Jacob had to check back in as soon as they returned. But they had permission to go out. It felt oddly liberating. Like a couple of school kids flouting the rules they jumped into Jacob’s car and drove off.

19
^th
June, 1905 hours – O’Byrne residence, Sunderland

The trip to Asda had been worthwhile.

Ben had put the shepherd’s pie in the oven and was heading down the hall to the stairs when a loud bang came from upstairs. She heard Jacob cry out in pain, and realised he had hurt himself.

She took the stairs two at a time, and slammed open the door to the bathroom. ‘Jacob, you OK?’

He was sprawled in the bath, his face contorted in pain.

‘Slipped,’ he said through gritted teeth.

‘If I help you, can you get up do you think?’

He nodded and Ben moved to the side of the bath. He grunted as he pulled himself up, using the wall behind him to support for his weight.

Ben stood sideways, bending her knees slightly, as he leaned on her shoulder and gingerly manoeuvred his bad leg over the edge of the bath and onto the floor. He grunted again as his leg took his weight momentarily while he got his other leg out. His face was still twisted in a grimace, and Ben knew it was bad.

She helped him hobble to the bedroom, grabbing his stick from where it rested by the sink as she passed. As Jacob lowered himself onto the bed, she left his side and grabbed his wash bag. He kept his tablets there – she knew as she’d seen him take them that morning.

‘I’ll need the oramorph.’

She opened the child-proof top and handed him the bottle, watching as he took an unmeasured swig.

After a couple of minutes, the look on his face eased.

‘I’m sorry. I slipped on some soap and went down like a ton of bricks. It’ll ease off in a couple of minutes. I owe you a shower rail.’

‘Don’t worry about the rail – we needed a new one anyway. You just gunna sit here for a bit `til the drugs kick in? I can help you downstairs if you like.’

‘No, I’m good. I’ll get dressed in a sec and meet you downstairs. Honest, I’ll be fine, it’ll ease off.’

Ben nodded. She knew how embarrassed he must feel right now, he didn’t need to be but she’d be the same in his situation. She leaned across him and kissed him gently on the lips before leaving the room.

19
^th
June, 2005 hours –Tunstall, Sunderland City Centre

Stan could barely contain his anger. Why the hell hadn’t he placed a camera or mic in the kitchen? The pair seemed to spend more time in there than anywhere else and he was missing conversations that could have been important. He considered going back to the address in his disguise, but discarded the idea as soon as it occurred. It wouldn’t be long now anyway. And what information could have possibly been that vital that he needed to hear it?

He knew he couldn’t wait much longer, though. She filled his every waking thought. His dreams were filled with images of him having her again and again, teaching her she shouldn’t have lived because she couldn’t obey. Even if she did obey this time, he knew she was dead. There was no way he’d make the same mistake twice.

The news had been full of Clarice’s murder for days, but now it was petering out to the third and fourth pages in the papers. More important matters were taking the front page like a politician’s latest indiscretion, and another Hollywood star dying of an overdose. All just crap really, nothing that interested him. He grabbed the Echo and scanned it, noting nothing new.

He felt frustrated; at least he thought it was frustration. He couldn’t focus on anything but her, felt the need growing inside him. He couldn’t wait a few more days. Stan knew he had to do it tonight. Then it would be time to move to another city, take yet another name and start over again. He’d done it so many times now he could barely remember his own name.

Maybe it’s time to stop, retire. Learn to garden or something.
But he knew he’d miss the hunt too much, miss the taste of their fear as they learned what they should already know about their place. He knew he couldn’t stop.

Jumping to his feet suddenly, Stan cracked his leg off the edge of the table. It stung but it also felt good, made him feel alive. Without even thinking, he grabbed the metal ruler from his pen holder, and smacked himself hard across the back of the hand. As it smarted and changed colour, he smiled. Yes he was still alive, and tonight would prove just how alive he felt. He would have her again, and he would eliminate the cripple that had tried to claim her. Today would be a good day.

Chapter Twenty-five

20
^th
June, 0100 hours – O’Byrne residence, Sunderland

Stan was more than ready for this. He’d checked on the cops waiting outside; one was old, maybe in his late forties and had the stomach to prove he was one for the clichéd doughnuts. He wouldn’t be any trouble at all. The other cop was younger, stronger. He was the one to watch. Setting his panicked face in place, he ran up behind the car and rapped on the window.

‘Help,’ he rasped as the older cop cracked open the door. ‘There was a man with a knife, he’s just attacked me and nicked my wallet. I thought I was going to die.’

His story had the required effect and both cops jumped out of the car.

‘Which way?’ asked the younger one.

‘He ducked into a garden round the corner, if you’re quiet he won’t hear you coming. He’s got my phone, too. Tall lad, about thirty, with bald head and tattoos on his neck.’

The younger cop ran round the corner, and the older one leant into the vehicle to retrieve something. With the officers back turned, Stan knew this was the perfect time to strike. He pulled the shiny blade from the back of his trousers, and in one movement reached around the cop and drew the blade across his throat.

The cop fell forward, a gurgling sound coming from his neck as he put his hands to his throat. Stan was pleased. The cop’s body was pretty much all in the car. Hoisting his legs in too, he closed the door with a quiet click, standing back and watching as the cop stopped grabbing at his throat and his eyes turned glassy and still. And then he waited for the other one to come back.

A few minutes later, the young lad made his way back up the street. Stan had hidden himself behind a hedge near the back of the car, wanting to surprise the cop before he got to the car and called for help. He knew the cop might have already called his communications department, but it was unlikely. With adrenaline pumping, it wouldn’t have been the first thought in his head.

The cop strode past him, looking around for his colleague and Stan. In an equally swift movement, Stan had sliced through his throat like it was nothing more than butter and watched as the cop fell to his knees. He grabbed the back door of the panda and opened it, pulled the cop to his feet and bundled him into the back seat.

The cop was getting weaker by the second, but he made an attempt to reach his radio. If he could just press the orange button help would come. Stan leaned in and twisted it, removing it from the top of the cops vest. He threw it into the front of the car, and stood back with a smile.