A Secret Schemer (30 page)

My dearest gorgeous Lucy
Carter, after all the sensual messages we have shared over the past
months. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that your release from
prison is only days away now. At last I will meet my lady of the
night, the very thought of touching you is arousing me already. See
you on Sunday 7
^th
June as arranged
sexy lady.

Fondest love Jorge xxxx

Attached to the message was a
small picture of an elderly, fleshy, frightful looking man.

‘How the hell could he have
done this to me!’ I screamed in horror. ‘What on earth have I done
to deserve this?’ I sobbed uncontrollably.

Once again Lucas embraced me
while I shed my tears, I was horrified, what did all this mean. Was
there more? I slowly pulled away. ‘We have to keep searching Lucas;
I need to know it all.’

‘Why don’t you take a break
Lucy, just for a few minutes?’ He suggested tentatively.

‘OK maybe we could have a
strong coffee, and then I must see what other shocks lie in store.
At this moment in time Lucas I feel as though a large fist has just
knocked all the wind out of me.’

Downstairs in the bar Jena and
Archie were working, Andy was reading the sports page in the paper,
and the lunch time rush hadn’t started yet.

‘I wonder how they’re getting
on with the laptop.’ Jena asked Andy quietly.

‘D’you want me to go and check
babe?’ He replied as he glanced up.

‘Give it a bit longer love; no
doubt it’ll take a while.’

‘Ok darling just say the word
if you need me.’ Andy added with a smile.

As Archie was busy bottling up
the bar, Jena was thinking about Tim and his weird actions, doing a
runner at dawn, what was that all about. Leaving his laptop though
was a total mystery, had he forgotten it, or couldn’t carry it all
or didn’t need it any more? Well Jena knew he’d be back that was a
certainty. Looking up towards the door she noticed a strange guy
coming towards her, he was elderly, probably wants directions she
thought.

‘How do mam I’m looking for
Lucy Carter, I’m afraid I’m a day early, but I’m sure she won’t
mind.’ He asked in a strong American twang.

‘I’m sorry there’s nobody of
that name here, you must have the wrong address.’ Jena
emphasised.

‘Oh there’s no fear of that
mam, look here’s the address and a photo of the lady.’

He said rather brashly. ‘My
name is Jorge Sanchez and I’ve paid good dollars for that lady.

Jena looked at the address and
sure enough it was correct although the name of the pub was
missing. As she turned the photo over she gulped silently in shock,
because staring at her was a picture of her best mate in a very
unfamiliar pose. Quickly grasping the situation Jena excused
herself politely and went over to Andy.

‘Don’t ask questions babe, just
take this old boy into the restaurant give him a drink, meal, or
coffee in fact anything he wants, apart from Lucy. If you get my
drift, I’ll be back as soon as.’ Jena walked out of the bar and
then took the stairs two at a time as though a raging bull was
behind her. Rushing into Tim’s room she came to a breathless
halt.

‘Whatever’s wrong Jena?’ I
probed. ‘You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’

‘Oh he aint no ghost Lucy, he’s
gruesome and he’s real.’ She gasped.

After Jena had explained her
recent brush with Jorge Sanchez, the three of them exchanged
anxious glances. Then Lucas spoke up. ‘Jena we’ve discovered some
of what’s been going on, this yank Jorge was expected tomorrow. I
feel there’s a heck of a lot more to unfold, however it’s time now
to bring in the police.’

‘But the pub Lucas, bringing
the police in.’ I said shakily.

‘Sod the pub Lucy; this is all
now about your safety and that rats ruination.’ Jena exclaimed.
‘You stay right out of sight; I’ll speak to the cops and make sure
they come in through the back door. I may have to brief Kate a tad.
I’ll tell Jorge that you’re not expected back until later this
afternoon, so the cops will have had time to intervene.’

‘OMG this is scary, what a
bastard if only I’d listened to you all.’ I gulped. ‘I can’t
believe he hasn’t been back for his laptop.’

‘There’s still time Hun, maybe
he’ll walk straight into the arms of the cops.’ Jena suggested.
‘Anyway you two stay out of sight and I’ll keep you posted, keep
searching you never know what else you’ll reveal.’ Jena added as
she made her hasty exit from the bedroom and raced down the
stairs.

Making her way into the
restaurant Jena went over to Andy and Jorge’s table. ‘Mr Sanchez I
have located a Lucy, she’s evidently out at the moment and is due
back later this afternoon. I’m sure we can make you comfortable
while you wait.’

‘Ok mam as she’s just got out,
I expect she’s out spending her dollars. Can I get a steak, medium
rare?’

‘Yes I’ll see to that straight
away. If you come through to the kitchen Andy you could get a salad
and bread rolls for Mr Sanchez.’

‘Sure darling I’ll be right
there.’

Out in the kitchen Jena went
into the office and made a detailed phone call to the police, who
assured her two officers would be at the pub within the hour. Back
in the kitchen she disclosed to Andy and Kate what was taking
place.

‘I saw him a while ago Jena.’
Kate declared.

‘Who did you see Kate?’

‘Tim, I had both doors open as
it’s so hot in here, I noticed him go up the stairs and within what
seemed seconds, he ran out of the back door as though the devil
himself was behind him.’ Kate described. ‘If only I’d known Jena
I’d have locked the door, and called you.’

‘The police will get him Kate,
don’t fret, anyway never try and corner a wanted guy as he’s always
going to be stronger than you.’ Andy assured.

‘Meanwhile we better keep Mr
Sanchez sweet.’ Jena added. ‘He may not be the most eligible guy,
however he’s also been bamboozled by Carter. He’d like a steak
please Kate, medium rare.’

‘No problem Jena I’ll see he’s
looked after, the last thing we need is a scene in the pub.’

Andy went back into the
restaurant to chat to Jorge, while Jena made her way back to the
bar to hep Archie, both trying to keep things running as normal as
possible on this dramatic day.

Tim was frantic, he hadn’t
realised he’d left his laptop behind until he’d boarded the train
at Victoria, this computer was critical in his crusade. Should it
get into the wrong hands would be a disaster. Tim couldn’t sit
still, his nerves were on edge. He’d left the pub just after five,
surely no one had heard him leave, and he had been really quiet.
Constantly he tried to placate himself, he was worrying about
nothing. Lucy would still have been asleep or she would have come
out of her room. He knew she’d been more difficult to handle over
the last few weeks; he put that down to Jena, the interfering
friend who’d taken an immediate dislike to him. Lucy had everything
she wanted, she was living her dream, so why couldn’t he. She’d get
over it, he’d chosen her because at the beginning she was a
pushover, her pub was her life and she was always busy so he’d
managed to put his plan in action with ease. He knew how to charm
her, all he’d needed was a few months to contrive his scheme, and
it was foolproof. The train suddenly jerked to a halt in a murky
tunnel, and the risk of failure grabbed him like a vice, his heart
was pounding. The train shunted slowly away and daylight burst into
the carriage, he was losing control, he must get a grip. He focused
on going back to the pub just as soon as he’d dropped off the case
and bag. Silently berating himself he struggled to alight from the
train with the luggage, within an hour he’d be on his way
back….

After unloading the luggage Tim
was heading back to the Frog and Toad to recover his laptop. He’d
intended going back to the pub anyway as it was necessary to remove
the hard drive from his desk top computer. There was far too much
data on there to leave it. As he neared the building he hoped he
wouldn’t bump into any of the staff. Being Saturday morning they
were usually always busy. Finding the outside door open he slipped
inside, however the main kitchen door was also open and he could
see Kate in the kitchen. He took the stairs two at a time, as he
was wearing sneakers his movements were virtually silent. There was
no one on the first floor, so with a silent sigh he headed up
towards the flat. Then suddenly he froze like an icicle, his
bedroom door was wide open, as he drew level with the door he could
see Lucy and the big barman bent over his laptop. Fear shot through
him like an electric shock, he ran back down the stairs as though a
rabid dog was in pursuit. Out of the kitchen door and back onto the
street, in his head he could hear the sirens, every car was a cop
car, he just kept running, he must talk to JJ…he had to see JJ,
they would have to hide. Gasping for breath he turned into an
alleyway, leaning against the wall he felt his legs turn to jelly,
and then he was consumed by darkness…

Tim felt a sharp pain in his
leg, opening his eyes he saw a scruffy guy leaning over him. ‘You
got cans mate, I need a can?’ The guy slurred.

The guy reeked of booze, he had
to move and fast. The fear was intense, he was trembling and
unsteady on his legs, he knew he had to run. As he stumbled out of
the alley he felt for his mobile in the pocket of his jeans, taking
a deep breath he fast dialled to JJ….

Chapter 35

While Lucy had gone to get
changed before the police arrived, Lucas had continued to search
the laptop. There was another email from Scotland, ‘Sugar Daddies
in Scotland,’ mature, wealthy successful gents looking for a sugar
babe. The message read similar to the first one, this guy was
called Alestair Glenn and apparently he had an arrangement to meet
Lucy on Monday lunchtime. How many more of these guys had he
scheduled to turn up unwittingly? He found copious amounts of
emails that had been archived, of which the content was disgusting.
Looking in the document folder he came across a cash summary, which
he knew would be of great help to the police. Also copies of bank
statements. Then back on the desktop screen he hit on the ‘my
pictures’ icon. Stunned by what it revealed, he hoped Lucy would
never have to see these images, they were pornographic to the
extreme, all doctored with her beautiful face on the vile bodies.
Tim Carter was evil, and if he appeared in the room at that moment
Lucas could not be held responsible for his actions. Clicking back
onto the desktop he decided to leave it ready for the police to
investigate thoroughly, as he felt sure there would be further
revelations.

While I was getting changed
instinct told me that I must contact Charles Emerson at the
brewery, I had a mobile number just for emergencies. Today for me
is hell on earth, I’m in one of my dreams, only this time I’m wide
awake. Why couldn’t I have seen what every one else had seen in Tim
Carter. I didn’t have any proof that was the problem, now I’ve all
the proof in the world. My association with him was going to change
my life forever, and there isn’t a thing I can do about it. After a
long chat with Charles he assured me the brewery would support me
all the way, I promised to keep him updated on a daily basis.
Making my way back to Lucas I wondered why Tim hadn’t tried to
recover his laptop.

‘Kate has brought us up some
lunch Lucy, please try and eat, as the police will be grilling you
all afternoon.’ Lucas said cautiously.

‘I will thanks Lucas, I still
can’t understand why Tim hasn’t been back.’

‘Oh but he has, Kate saw him a
couple of hours ago. She said he ran out like a scalded cat.’

‘If only I’d seen him. I expect
he’ll still get away with it all, I mean the police aren’t even
here yet.’

‘Don’t you worry, I’m sure
they’ll catch up with him.’ Lucas added.

At that moment Jena came in the
room followed by two police officers.

‘Ms Lucy Carter?’ The first
officer asked.

‘No, I’m Lucy Ross; if you’d
care to come into the lounge I’ll explain in detail the complete
state of affairs.’

As Lucy took the police
officers into the lounge, Lucas explained to Jena the severity of
what he’d revealed on the laptop. ‘My only hope is Lucy will be
able to cope with it all.’

‘She will Lucas she’s pretty
tough, her main concern will be if the papers get hold of it and
possible discredit to the pub.’ Jena remarked.

‘I know she was going to speak
to Charles Emerson.’ Lucas mentioned.

‘The brewery will support her
Lucas, I’d put money on that.’

‘That’s reassuring; do you
think we should stay up here for statements?’

‘Yes they want me, you, Andy
and Kate to make statements. Oh and poor old Jorge, poor sods come
all the way from the states and still hasn’t a clue what’s going
on.’ Jena explained.

Tim had ambled nervously
through Victoria station continuously looking around for police; he
stumbled onto the train slumping onto an empty seat. His legs had
once again turned to jelly and his body trembled involuntarily with
fear. Why hadn’t JJ answered the phone, he had to warn JJ. What
went wrong in the pub, Lucy must have heard him leaving, why
couldn’t she have waited until Sunday, or had the yank turned up?
That wasn’t possible he’d only received his email yesterday saying
he’d arrive on Sunday. His thoughts were tied up in knots like
snakes squeezing and smothering them. He knew he couldn’t endure
this torment without JJ...he could get away with JJ today…they had
plenty of money…but they must go today…

I spent two hours with the
police giving them a detailed report of Tim Carter, two women
officers had also arrived at the pub to assist with taking
statements. I didn’t meet Jorge Sanchez, however I felt extremely
sorry for the man as he had been hoodwinked along with others.
Eventually when the police left the Frog & Toad, they had
removed Tim’s laptop and his desk top computer. I had printed
copies of all the bank statements me and Jena had found, along with
the photos of the cash in the shoe box. I had made out a cheque for
all the rent Tim had paid as this obviously belonged to the men Tim
had deceived. They also had his mobile phone number and I’d written
down the address of his parents flat in Orpington, although I
mentioned the premises were allegedly up for sale. They escorted
Jorge Sanchez to the police station as he would be a crucial
witness, along with any other guy who turned up. The police warned
me to be prepared that this would hit the media, as Tim Carter was
still at large. They assured me that they would keep in touch with
me and I would be required to help them as the case progressed.
When at last I closed the back door on the four officers I felt
totally drained. The bedroom Tim had used was locked up as advised
by the police. Jena and Andy started the evening in the bar and
when me and Lucas had eaten we took over, I seriously needed to be
occupied, the last thing I wanted was time to reflect on the day
the proverbial shit had hit the fan….