Spiritwalker (12 page)

He reached his friend Paul Oakfield's address over an hour and a half later than he had hoped.  Paul and his wife Heather had bought their house in Croydon over a year ago and to date Morley hadn't set foot in it, despite numerous invitations to come and visit.  As he pulled up outside number 25, Paul who had been waiting expectantly for him opened the front door and walked down the path to greet him.  The two men shook hands warmly and Morley followed his friend into the house and Paul gave him the grand tour.  It was surprisingly spacious inside with two large double bedrooms upstairs tastefully decorated and a smaller single room.  Two cots stood side by side in one of the double rooms and children’s toys were neatly stored in a large plastic container.  The twin’s room had lots of equipment and gadgets most of which Morley had no idea what they were used for.  All sorts of dolls and teddy bears lined the shelves and there was a stack of children’s books on the shelf between the two cots.  Downstairs the kitchen was kitted out with antique oak style units and a breakfast bar in the centre, four chrome high stools stored neatly under it.  The living room was large with a huge 52inch plasma screen TV in one corner, which Morley guessed would be Paul's pride and joy.  The room was painted a neutral magnolia colour with an unusual contrast between family photos and bold modern art on the walls.  The brown leather couch was large and strewn with the children’s toys, which Paul made a half-hearted attempt to tidy into a box under the coffee table.  There were two matching recliner arm-chairs on either side of the couch.

“Sit down mate.” Paul encouraged his friend.  “Heather and the twins will be back soon, she took them to the park, they get restless if they don't get fresh air.  She's dying to see you.  How are things with you, any news on the love life, not tempted to settle down?”

“Haven't met anyone crazy enough yet” Morley joked.  “How about you? How are Heather and the twins?”

“We're all great, the twins are noisy as hell.  Heather decided to go back to work just to get a break.  It's a full time job looking after twins I can tell you.  She's only part-time but with the mortgage on this place the extra money comes in handy.  Who would have thought kids could be so expensive, Heather’s mum comes over to mind the twins while she's working, she's great with them.

“How's the new job going?” Morley asked.  Paul had recently transferred to Croydon police station where he worked as a duty sergeant.  He had been shot in the leg over two years ago, when he had attended a call out to a robbery in progress at an off-licence.  The robbers realising that they were cornered had tried to shoot their way out, and Paul had got in the way of a stray bullet that had ricocheted off the car he was crouching behind.  Heather had given him a choice...leave the Met or put in for a desk job.  He had decided on the latter.  He was the most efficient sergeant, Morley had ever met.  He had OCD where forms and paperwork were concerned and everyone who worked with him said that he had a remarkable memory for names and faces... he never forgot one.  

“Jobs great, hectic as ever.  Criminals never take a holiday.  How about you, what are you working on?

“Have you seen that case in the news, young teenager abducted, and her aunt is missing too?  That one.   We think he murdered an old boy and stole his car as well.  Came up today to interview a friend of the aunt,  I think she knows more than she's telling, hope she does, we have no leads...he's a clever bastard whoever he is.  The car he used to abduct the girl was stolen, no concrete leads yet.  The Super is going mental.”

They were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening, and two small rosy cheeked identical little girls burst into the room chattering to their dad.  All Morley could make out was something about ducks and water.  They ran to the box of toys and began tossing things everywhere. 

“Girls, say hello to Gary, he's my friend, he came to visit us.”  Paul said.

The twins who hadn't noticed Morley at first, stopped emptying the toys out and looked at him.  They stood staring at him for a moment until he spoke, then they both went over to their dad and hid shyly behind his chair.

“What's this, I've never seen the two of you so quiet.  Come on out and say hello to Gary.”

The two girls shyly came out and staying close to their dad, stared at Morley and one of them venture out far enough to get a better look at him and she shyly said “Hello” before darting back behind the seat for security. 

“I see you've met our two brave girls” Heather said coming into the room.  Morley stood up and gave her a warm hug and kiss on both cheeks.

“They're gorgeous.” Morley said smiling at the girls as they gradually got the courage to advance from hiding, and one ventured over to stand beside her mother.

“You should see them at five in the morning, you wouldn't think they were so cute then.”  Heather said smiling fondly as she looked from one child to the other.  “How are you?  I can see Paul has forgotten to offer you a drink or a sandwich.”  She sent a meaningful glance in her husband's direction.

“Sorry mate, what would you like, tea, coffee a beer maybe?” Paul said rising.

Coffee's fine.  Bit too early for a beer, besides I'm technically working later, wouldn't do to have a smell of beer from my breath.”

“Coffee it is, milk, sugar?”

“Just black thanks”

Paul left to make the coffee and the twin who had been sheltering beside him braved it as far as her mother and lifted her arms up for her mother to pick her up.   Heather placed the child on her lap and began to grill Morley about his love life or lack of it.

“So when are we going to get a day out, I presume you've got a girlfriend and that's the reason you don't call to see us anymore?”

“Nope haven't got a girlfriend.  You're as bad as Cara, she thinks I should find one and settle down too.”

Paul arrived in with a tray of coffee and a plate of chocolate biscuits and placed it carefully down on the coffee table.

“Ah Ah Don't touch.” He scolded one of the twins who was bravely having to lean across Morley to get at the plate of biscuits.  She quickly pulled her hand back and looked sorrowfully at her father.

Morley picked up two biscuits and handed one each to the two girls.  They were quickly snatched from him, so as not to give him the chance to take them back.

“What do you say to Gary?” Heather asked the girls

“Ta Ta Gary.” Both girls coursed as one. And the biscuits were devoured in an instant.

The three adults talked nonstop for over an hour, until Morley looking at his watch realised that he had better make his excuses and leave.  Reluctantly he stood up and had to refuse the offer of staying to lunch.  He promised to call again.  The twins comfortable in his presence now, waved goodbye to him and as he was walking down the path with Paul, looked back to see both of them standing at the window still waving at him.  He felt a hand tug at his heart as he waved cheerily back at them.

Chapter sixteen

Anna meanwhile was being driven to Canterbury Train station by Eva. She was anxious to meet with Sylvia and see what further information she had. Eva had wanted to go with her but she didn't want to leave her daughter, who was still fragile after her ordeal and after Molly's asthmatic episode she wanted to keep an eye on her too. Anna had promised to keep her informed the minute she got any useful information and for now that would have to do. Anna arrived in Victoria station in good time and she hailed a taxi. It was just after one when the taxi pulled up across from Sylvia’s apartment building. She paid the driver and walked up the steps. She pressed the intercom but got no reply. A young couple were just getting out of the lift and when they exited the building Anna entered. She walked up the stairs to Sylvia's apartment which was on the second floor. She pressed the bell, still no answer. She knocked loudly on the door and to her surprise the door opened slightly. She heard music coming from inside the apartment and decided that that was the reason Sylvia hadn't answered. She pushed open the door calling loudly to Sylvia. Still no answer so she walked towards the room that the music was coming from. It was the bedroom. The curtains were still closed. Anna's eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. She could just make out the shape of a woman lying under the covers, it looked like Sylvia to Anna and she seemed to be sound asleep. She walked over to the bed and shook her lightly by the shoulders, calling her name softly. Still Sylvia didn't move or make a sound. Anna turned her over onto her back and screamed as she realised that the woman in the bed was dead, her eyes open, staring vacantly at Anna. Her skin was cold to the touch. Anna pulled her phone out of her pocket her hands trembling and began to dial 999. She didn't hear him sneak up behind her until it was too late. She received a blow to the back of her head which stunned her and before she had a chance to recover a hand was clamped over her mouth and a sweet smelling cloth was preventing her from breathing in fresh air. Anna had to force herself not to struggle, she realised instantly that this had been a trap. Someone had set her up, someone badly wanted her here and the only person she could think of was him. The man who had taken Jane, and now it looked like he had murdered Sylvia. She knew she hadn't a chance against him. He was strong and she could feel herself weakening fast. She forced her spirit leave her body. She knew she had to do it quickly before she lost consciousness. If she lost consciousness first she didn't know if she would be able to leave, her spirit had never left her body while she was asleep so she felt it was safe to assume that she wouldn't be able to go if she was rendered unconscious first. It happened fast like the popping of a cork. In an instant she was hovering above herself. Watching. She couldn't make out his face he was wearing a dark coloured hoodie, it obstructed her view of his face but she knew instantly that it was the same man who had abducted Sassy. He had the same aura or life energy feel to him. It was a strange feeling, rather like facial recognition is to the eyes. Her spirit could distinguish people by their magnetic life force, what some might call an aura. It was something she was more aware of when in that state. Some people had more distinctive auras than others and his, she remembered well from their last encounter. She watched helplessly as he lifted her limp body and placed it on the bed beside Sylvia's dead body.

***********************

He had been waiting. Patience was not an issue, he had learnt from an early age that patience was an asset. He had spent many long hours when he was a child locked in the cellar. Sometimes his father locked him in the cellar all night. He had learnt to cope with the darkness and the invisible creatures that seemed to emerge from nowhere to investigate their visitor. While imprisoned in that dark cellar he conjured up all sorts of torturous things that he would do to his father when he was older. His fantasies kept him going. He had never built up the courage to carry any of them out on his parents, but many small animals and family pets had suffered and died at his hands. While he waited in the shadows of Sylvia's apartment he remembered the night that he had lit the match. How he had watched as their family home became an inferno. He fancied that he could still hear his parents agonised screaming as they burnt to death. He smiled at that, he had hated them with every fibre of his being. He hated his father for all the beatings and his mother for not defending him.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end when he heard the buzzer. He was getting excited now, soon she would be his prisoner. Let’s see how she likes what I've planned for her, he thought as he waited for her. He stayed where he was, hidden from her view as she entered the apartment. He had wanted to be sure that she was alone before he struck. He watched as she went into the bedroom. She was alone. He crept up behind her silently. She didn't know he was there until it was too late. She was too engrossed in the discovery of Sylvia's body to hear him. He hit her from behind just as she was about to phone for help. He was on her in an instant. She lost consciousness quickly almost the instant he put the chloroform cloth over her mouth and nose. He was a bit disappointed really, he had expected more of a fight from her. He picked her up and laid her on the bed and sat there silently looking down at her for a few moments. He had felt calm and in control until that point, but as he stared at her he thought of Sassy. How this woman had foiled his attempts to have Sassy. She was the cause of him having to abandon the girl on the side of the road. His hopes of a family with Jane had been dealt a bitter blow that night. Yesterday, he reflected, he had to kill Sylvia. It was all because of her. Poking around, asking questions which had nothing to do with her. How young and innocent she looked lying there, almost angelic. No one could ever guess what turmoil she had caused him. His anger at her motionless body increased and he began to rant at her. Asking questions she couldn't answer. Her silence seemed to infuriate him further. How dare she lie there silent, ignoring his questions? He grabbed her by the neck and was shaking her furiously as he squeezed the life from her. The raw anger emanating from him was almost tangible.

Anna watched from above. She was fighting against returning to her body. Her spirit was compelling her to return, but she knew that if she re-entered that it would do no good. She would not be able to wake herself up in time. She would not be able to fight against him. She watched as he began to slowly squeeze the life out of her. Then suddenly he let go, let her body fall back onto the bed. He jumped away from her and slipped silently out of sight behind the bedroom door. What had happened? Something had startled him. She didn't know what... Then she saw him... Inspector Morley had come in, he was in the doorway, his eyes quickly assessing the situation. He ran over to the bed as soon as he registered the two women lying motionless on it. He felt Anna's neck for a pulse first. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found one. He turned his attention to Sylvia. It didn't take him long to realise that she was dead and had been for some time. He took out his mobile and rang the emergency services. Anna watched all of this from above, she realised that it was his timely entrance which had spooked her attacker, and had almost certainly saved her life. She noticed that he had slipped out the door as soon as Morley was preoccupied, he had slipped out like a ghost. She had to go after him this was her chance to find out who her was, what he looked like. She didn't want to leave her body. The inspector calling her name and bending over her still body, was compelling her to stay. With a tremendous effort of will she dragged herself from the room, once away from the pull of her body it got easier and she was able to concentrate on finding her target. He wasn't difficult to locate, he was creeping cautiously down the back stairs. He had heard the inspector before she had. He had slipped quietly out from behind the door as soon as he saw that Morley's attention was elsewhere, and made his escape. Inspector Morley hadn't even been aware of his presence. Anna knew there was nothing she could do to attract the inspector's attention to her attacker's presence but thought that if she could follow him she might get a better look at his face. She followed as he made his way down the back stairs, out to the underground car-park and watched as he hid himself behind a pillar until a car that was entering had passed. He emerged out onto the street and walked briskly away. The street was almost empty except for an elderly couple who were walking further up the street arm in arm out for a leisurely stroll. A ginger cat jumped quickly off the wall as he passed near, and disappeared from sight. The further away he got the more confident he became. He pulled the strings of his hood tighter to further conceal his face and started jogging. He crossed over to the park where lots of people were out running and walking, the park was full with dogs and children, families out making the most of the bright day. He blended right in to the mid- afternoon activities. No one paid any attention to him. Anna got closer, but she wasn't able to make out his features. She followed closely hoping to get a better glimpse. She followed him excited that at last she might be able to find out who he was and where he lived. Then she would be able to give the police his address. She knew that she would have to make up some sort of story as to how she got the information. Perhaps she would ring Morley anonymously with the information, but she would worry about that later. She followed closely as he jogged to the far end of the park. She kept just enough distance between them, he seem to sense her presence when she got too close and Anna could feel his agitation heighten as he jogged along. She kept her distance again. She didn't want to spook him, she knew what he was capable of and she didn't want any innocent person to end up as Sylvia had. He exited the park and walked along the street until he saw a taxi. One pulled as soon as the driver saw the outstretched arm. He entered the taxi and lowered his hood. Great Anna thought, I finally get to see his face.