Mother Knows Best (Novella): A Psychological Thriller Novella (5 page)

Chapter 12

Cody and Kath slept until eleven. After another wild sex session, he made her breakfast in bed. Nothing Jamie Oliver would write home about—just poached eggs on toast, but you’d have thought he laid the eggs himself by the way Kath carried on.

While he was in the kitchen Cody called Ruby’s mobile leaving a message asking her to call him—mentioning their amazing date. Then he sent two text messages saying pretty much the same. He wanted to appear keen to whoever read them but not come across as a stalker.

He didn’t have to wait long for a response. His phone began ringing halfway through breakfast. He apologised to Kath and left the bedroom. Once in the bathroom, he braced himself before answering.

“Ruby, thank God. I was beginning to think you were avoiding my calls.” He laughed.

“Hello is this Cody?” the irate caller said.

“Yes—who are you?” The laughter suddenly dropped from his voice.

“I’m Ruby’s mother, Sharon. Do you know where she is?”

“I’m sorry?”

“She’s gone—Ruby—she’s gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean gone?”

“What do you think I mean? She’s not here. She’s vanished. What time did you drop her off at home?”

“It was late. After midnight, maybe.”

“Did you spend the night?”

“No. I dropped her off at the door, thank you very much.”

“Well, she’s not here now.”

“Hang on—I’ll come over.”

Cody raced back into the bedroom and grabbed his jacket and keys. “Sorry, babe, but I’ve got an emergency. Leave your phone number and I’ll call you later.” He kissed her upturned cheek.

“I could wait?”

“I might be a while, but suit yourself.”

He descended the stairs in three leaps and ran out to his car. It wasn’t there. He slapped the heel of his hand against his forehead. He’d left it outside the bar last night. He set off at a sprint to collect his car.

Ten minutes later, he parked his car outside Ruby’s house and was greeted at the door by a younger version of Ruby. She had the same long brown hair and peach coloured skin.

“Hi, are you Cody?” the girl said, holding her hand out towards him.  “I’m Scarlett—Ruby’s sister.”

“Has she turned up yet?” Cody asked.

“No—it’s so strange. She never goes anywhere without her phone.”

“Maybe she just forgot to pick it up. Have you checked around her friends?”

“Mum’s calling them now. Come on in, she’ll want to talk to you. But be warned, she trusts nobody.” Scarlett raised her eyebrows comically.

Taking a deep breath, Cody followed Scarlett into the house.

A short, dark-haired woman had her back to them as they entered the lounge. She had a phone to her ear.

“I’ll have to go, Melissa. Let me know if you hear from her … I will do, thanks, love.”

The woman turned. “Ah, you must be Cody.”

Cody nodded, his throat suddenly bone dry, and he couldn’t swallow. He could feel his Adam’s apple jumping in his throat.

“I’m Sharon, we spoke on the phone. Come in, sit down.”

He sat on the lounge chair and Sharon perched on the arm of the sofa. Scarlett still hovered in the doorway.

“Scar—can you let Baxter in. I put him in the backyard to do his business,” Sharon said.

Scarlett left. Sharon turned to him and in hushed tones said, “I’m worried, Cody. I’ve called the police and they said they’d send someone round. They didn’t seem too concerned, but I am. I know my daughter and this just isn’t like her.”

“Could she be off visiting a friend?”

“No. I’ve called all her friends, and anyway, she knew we were coming. We walk to the market on a Saturday together—we’ve done it for years.” She rubbed at her face and eyes. “Tell me, son. What happened last night?”

Cody instinctively knew what she meant. Although he didn’t have black eyes as he’d expected, there was a small split on the bridge of his nose and slight bruising under his left eye.

“We went to a bar, and some guy decided he didn’t like the look of me. He attacked me as we were leaving.”

“Who was he?”

“Who?”

“The one who attacked you—who was he? Could he have followed you back here?”

Cody thought about it. “It’s possible I guess, but why would he?”

“Why does anybody do anything? I’ve spoken to the neighbours. The woman across the road saw you drop her off. She knows the exact time was twenty past midnight—she wrote it down because she intended to report you for being a nuisance, sounding your horn so late.”

“I didn’t realise how late it was, I’m sorry.”

“The elderly gentleman next door heard music playing into the early hours. Nobody saw her leave this morning.”

Scarlett appeared with the little dog in her arms. It began snarling at him.

Scarlett laughed. “Hey, Baxy—you being a guard dog?”

“Cute dog,” Cody said, getting to his feet.

“I know—but he was petrified when we found him this morning—he’d even pooed and peed under Ruby’s bed, she’ll be furious when she gets home.”

Cody reached out to stroke the dogs head, but it flinched, it’s snarls turning to whimpers.

Scarlett jumped back, holding the dog at arm’s length. “The dirty bugger’s just peed on me!” she squealed, and ran from the room.

Sharon’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked back at Cody. Hairs prickled at the back of his neck.

“Okay, back to last night,” she said. “If you don’t know who the man was maybe someone at the pub will know him. Could you ask them?”

“I could. I don’t know if anybody saw it though, we were already outside.”

“Could you ask anyway? You never know.”

“Okay. Give me two ticks.”

Cody went outside and sat in his car. He felt jittery. He’d not expected Ruby’s mum to un-nerve him so much. She had a way of looking at him that made him feel she could see right through his lies. His instincts were to leave. Get out of there as fast as his legs could carry him, but that would alert them of a problem. He wasn’t stupid, he just needed to pull himself together.

Back inside he found Scarlett and Sharon in the kitchen.

“Any luck?” Sharon asked.

“No—but they said they have cameras in the bar so maybe I can pick out the guy from the footage. I’m heading over there now. You’ve got my number so let me know if there’s any change. I’ll get back here as soon as I can.”

Cody couldn’t get out of there fast enough. He put his foot down once he was out of the town centre and sped towards the coast. He intended to call into his dad’s house after the pub to check how things were there.

The bar staff were more than helpful. They recognised the thug immediately and even supplied his name and approximate address. They’d been watching him for a while.

All seemed normal as he parked his car outside the house. Surprised to find Ruby’s door slightly ajar, he tapped it open with his boot.

Ruby jumped to her feet.

“Who untied you?” Cody shouted.

“No-one—I’m not untied.” She indicated her right wrist.

“You know what I mean.”

“What did you do to my mum?” she asked.

“What the fuck you on about?”

“Your dad said you’d gone to sort out my mum.”

Cody shook his head and sighed. “Where’s Dad?”

“Tell me you didn’t hurt her.”

“I didn’t fucking hurt her—what do you think I am? A monster?”

He went in search of his father.

“Dad?” He slammed through the front door.

His father appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Hi, son. How’d you get on?”

Cody shrugged. “Why’s she not tied up? Did you learn nothing from last time?”

“She is tied up. She’s just had a sandwich for lunch and a bathroom visit.”

“You need to make sure she’s tied up at all times.”

“Alright, son. Keep your hair on.”

“Codee,” Kyle said, rushing into the kitchen. “Did-you-get-it?”

“Get what?”

“My-new-fire-truck.”

“No—sorry dude, I forgot.” Cody ruffled Kyle’s shaggy blond hair.

“But-I-beened-good.”

“I know, Kyle. Next time, I promise.”

Kyle left the room his shoulders sagging and moments later music blared from his bedroom.

“So tell me. What’s happening?” his dad said.

“It’s all sweet. Her mother’s a bit of a battle axe, but she doesn’t suspect me. In fact, she thinks Ruby’s disappearance might have something to do with the dick’ead from the pub last night.” Cody smiled, pleased with himself.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll tie her up before another one gets away. Have you forgotten how you felt when Felicity escaped? Watching the clock, wondering how long it would be before she turned up and we were arrested?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten, but she’s alright. We’ve had a chat.”

Cody shook his head, exasperated. “You really don’t get it, do you? She’s not your girlfriend. She’s not even your friend. First chance she gets, she’ll be out that door and we’ll be behind bars. Is that what you want?” Cody yelled. He needed to get it through his dad’s fucking thick head. If this turned to shit it would be Cody’s neck on the block, nobody else’s.

“No Cody, it isn’t.”

“Then do as I say. Tie her securely at all times—tape her mouth if you leave her for any length of time. Got it?”

“Got it.”

Cody shoved his dad aside and headed back to Ruby.

When Cody burst back into the little room, Ruby squealed and scrambled backwards on the mattress until her back was up against the wall.

“Okay, Ruby. Lie yourself down for me, sweetheart.”

“Please, Cody, no. I promise I’ll ...”

“Not negotiable, I’m afraid. Now do as you’re told,” he bellowed.

“No, I’m begging you.”

Sick and tired of being ignored, Cody grabbed Ruby’s foot and yanked her backwards. He wasn’t prepared for the sickening crunch as her head connected with the edge of the makeshift steel headboard he’d used to secure the bed to the wall.

Ruby screamed as blood gushed from the back of her head.

“What the fuck have you done to her?” his dad said, falling to his knees beside the bed.

“I didn’t do anything. She banged her head, that’s all.”

“You banged her head, Cody. You,” his dad hissed.

“Whatever. Get her cleaned up and fastened securely before I get back. I don’t have time for this.”

Chapter 13

Cody was relieved to get out of there. Ruby was crying and bleeding all over the place. Stupid bitch. He didn’t even do anything. It wasn’t his fault she whacked her head. If she’d been tied properly in the first place, none of this would have happened. But as usual, his dad changed the rules. Allowing himself to be coerced and manipulated by a pretty face and a decent pair of tits. That fucking Ruby was taking liberties—she deserved all she got.

He drove at breakneck speed on along the country roads, once again, forcing himself to slow down as he approached the town.

A police car was parked outside Ruby’s house.

Cody sat in the car gripping the steering wheel until he had the courage to go inside.

The door opened as he approached and Scarlett stepped backwards allowing him to enter. “Any luck?” she asked.

“Yes, actually.”

“Come through, Cody,” Sharon called from the lounge.

The two police officers, one a plain looking woman in her twenties and the other, a square-shaped middle-aged man, sat side by side on the sofa. Both got to their feet when he entered.

Cody noticed the stupid little dog lying on a mat beside the hearth. It started growling when he spotted Cody and it’s entire body began to quiver. Cody tried to ignore him.

“This is Cody, the one I was telling you about,” Sharon informed the officers. “Sorry Cody, I don’t know your surname ...”

“Strong. Cody Strong.”

The officers nodded at Cody before sitting back down.

“Thanks,” Sharon continued. “Cody was the last person to see Ruby in the early hours of this morning.”

“We believe there was an altercation last night,” the female officer said. “Did you manage to find out the name of the man who attacked you?”

“I did, yes. His name’s Peter Cross. Apparently he lives on the Mayor Estate.”

She scribbled something onto a pad. “Where do you live, Mr Strong?”

“Twenty-two Fernleigh Street. I share a flat with two others.”

“And can you tell me what time you left Ruby and where you went afterwards?”

“Of course. Apparently the neighbour knows the exact time I dropped her off. Then I went to Jed’s bar.”

“Can anybody confirm this?”

“Why are you asking me this? Do you think I had something to do with her going missing?”

We just need to establish your whereabouts at this stage, sir. Nothing for you to worry about,” the male officer said, in a hoarse gravelly voice.

“Well, I saw a few friends—Roger Bell from the butchers on the high street, and Joan Davies, the barmaid. There were others too.”

“That should be enough for now. How long did you stay there?” the female officer asked.

“An hour or so. Not long really.”

“And then what did you do?”

“Went home. My flatmates can vouch for me. I didn’t go out again after that.”

“Okay, thank you, sir.”

She turned back to Sharon.

“We’ll make some enquiries, but at this stage I’d say there’s nothing to worry about. I’m sure she’ll show up before too long.”

“No—you’re wrong. Something’s happened to her—I know—I know it …”

“There’s no sign of a struggle or a break in. Nobody saw or heard anything. The house was all locked up.”

“Yes—but her keys are still here.”

“Maybe she had a spare,” the policeman said.

“I took her only spare—plus her phone is still here. Honestly, she never goes anywhere without it.”

The female officer got to her feet. “Leave it with us. We’ll check out this Peter Cross character and get back to you shortly. In the meantime, if she should show up, please let us know right away.”

The policeman stood up and turned back to Cody. “Cody Strong ... you’re not related to Steven Strong by any chance are you?”

“Yes. He’s my dad.”

“Ah, so it was your mother who vanished from her home up near Melody Falls years ago?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Cody struggled to maintain an even tone while he could hear his heartbeat thumping in his ears.

“Where’s your dad living these days?”

“Same place—he’s never moved.”

“Still up on the hill there? A bit too remote for me, but a stunning spot. Tell him Officer Croydon said hi.”

He clapped Cody roughly on the back.

They left, and Cody thought he might vomit with relief. He’d never been so nervous in the whole of his life.

After seeing the officers out, Scarlett came back into the lounge and sat on the carpet beside her mum. “So what now?”

“Why won’t they take me seriously? I have a bad feeling about this.” Sharon poked at the inside corners of her eyes.

“They will, Mum. They just need to wait a little longer.”

“At least Cody got that guy’s details. Let’s hope they pay him a visit right away.”

“Shall I make us all a coffee?” Cody asked,feeling claustrophobic in the tiny room.

“Thanks, that’ll be nice.” Sharon smiled, her eyes were full of unshed tears.

Cody reached the door when Scarlett cried, “Baxter! What the hell’s the matter with you?” Cody almost jumped out of his skin at the raised voice. His nerves were frazzled. He shot out of the room. The conversation followed him down the hallway.

“Look, Mum. He’s peed again—in his bed this time.”

“Put him outside. I’ve got enough on my mind without having to worry about a dirty, bloody dog,” Sharon said.

In the kitchen, Cody busied himself making coffee. Scarlett eased past him, holding the dog at arm’s length and threw it into the yard.

“Ruby keeps her coffee in the tea canister in the cupboard,” she said.

“Thanks—I found it.”

“Did you? It took me half an hour to find it this morning and I only found it in the end when I decided to have tea instead.” She laughed.

Shit! Cody thought. He’d also spent ages the night before trying to find the coffee. If he wasn’t careful, they would be questioning if he had actually been inside the house before today.

Scarlett didn’t seem in the least suspicious. She prattled on about instant coffee being just as good as real coffee.

He nodded, agreeing with her completely.

Scarlett took her mug from him and Cody carried the other two mugs through to the lounge.

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Sharon said as he handed one to her.

“Oh, hang on. What’s that on your cheek? Is it blood?”

Cody froze.

Sharon rubbed a thumb across his cheek. “It is blood!”

“I had another nosebleed earlier,” he said. “I haven’t had a nosebleed since I was a kid, that guy must have caused some damage.”

“You’d better get it checked out,” she said.

He gave an internal sigh. Fuck, this was getting too close for comfort.

Cody spent the rest of the day there. Eating chocolate chip cookies and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

The police finally returned just as it was going dark.

The female officer took the lead once again. “We’ve ruled out Peter Cross. He’s a nasty piece of work, just as you described, Mr Strong. But after assaulting you, he was arrested for assaulting another young man. He spent the night in a cell.”

“We’ve also checked your alibi and they all confirm your version of events.”

“Someone called Kath is still waiting at your flat,” the male officer said, raising one eyebrow at Cody.

Cody was relieved they didn’t say any more in front of Sharon.

Once the police had left, Cody also left for home, promising to return at first light if Ruby still hadn’t shown up.

He practically skipped to his car.