I SHALL FIND YOU (13 page)

 
Baldwin’s face changed. “Sit, Frank. He forced Rose?”

 Frank’s voice shook as he pointed at Godfree. “Yes. Last night.”

“This true?” Baldwin glanced at Godfree.

“No. It’s not true. She’s my girlfriend.”

Frank yelled. “He’s lying!”

“Let him explain, Frank.”

Godfree explained.

Frank countered. “He’s lying, holding here against her will!”

“I’ll call her.” Baldwin moved to the door, flung it open and told his secretary to call Rose to the office and then sat and faced them. “No shouting now. Let’s wait for her.”

In minutes a baffled looking Rose entered the office, glanced at her dad and Godfree and accepted a seat.

Baldwin smiled at her. “Sorry to pop you up here without ceremony, doctor. It’s rather a delicate issue which involves your dad and Godfree. But it was brought up and involves you.”

He talked about the appointment and why he wanted to be sure about Godfree first.

Rose frowned. “So what’s the problem?”

Baldwin then explained why Frank was here and he wanted to be sure he didn’t appoint a rapist. 

“Did you say rape?” Rose looked chocked. “Did you force someone, Free?”

Baldwin plunged in. “Your dad claims Godfree took you from home yesterday, sexually abused you and is holding you at his place against your will.”

“Dad! He hasn’t even touched me. This is ridiculous! You kicked me out, don’t approve of him.”

Frank replied. “I want you back home.”

Baldwin’s voice exuded authority. “Doesn’t see like you were kidnapped?”

“This guy’s my boyfriend. No law against me moving in with him.”

She pulled her armchair close to Godfree and took his while glaring at her dad.

“Looks like it’s a personal matter. You’re an adult, doctor, and your dad knows that. If you aren’t reporting this guy for assault, then there’s no issue here. Frank, your daughter has no allegation against the alleged perpetrator. It’s a private matter. As such I can only confirm the position of maintenance manager.

Congratulations again, Godfree.”

He gripped Godfree’s hand.

Rose hugged Godfree. “Congratulations too from me. Dad, you owe me and Godfree an apology, or I’m not talking to you again. Never thought you’d succumb to such tactics.”

Frank appeared ready for a fit.

“Godfree, there’s a managers’ meeting here at nine. Excuse me.” Baldwin pressed a button on the phone. “Maria, send out the latest memo on the new appointments. Godfree is now our new maintenance manager while Mark takes the engineering director position with immediate effect. Frank, you wouldn’t like to wash your dirty linen in public, would you? You guys are going to work together and meet daily in the factory, so it’s best you leave the differences at home. Didn’t exactly like my daughter’s boyfriend myself. But for some reason that’s what my daughter wanted. They got three kids, are happy together. Godfree, don’t forget the manager’s meeting at nine. You and your girlfriend can leave now. I’m sure you have work to do. Frank, I’d like you to remain behind a bit.”

Rose and Godfree left. In the passage she took his hand. He tried to pull it away but her fingers tightened. He stopped on the stairs.

“I’ll pinch you if you don’t remove your hand.”

She looked around. When she saw the coast was clear she pinched his side.

“Ouch!”

“Manager, eh!” And then she frowned. “Can’t believe my dad went that far.”

He shrugged. “He’s fighting with all he can. Feel sorry for him.”

“I’m ignoring him now. Let him think of the pain he’s caused. Today I’m leaving early to pick the rest of my stuff from home, got nothing to say to him any longer. I’ll get you a coffee. Time everyone saw us together.”

Minutes later Maria, the managing director’s secretary placed the new announcements on the board. Godfree’s new position was now official. He felt events were just moving too fast for him. Popped some paracetamols that Rose had given him for an acute headache.

Through the wide glass of the office he could see the factory floor stretching away and the machines and operators. Frank was busy on a machine with James. The latter had still not congratulated him. Production people from the factory floor wished him luck, among them several fitters and Jones, the charge-hand.

Frank had walked into the electric workshop after the meeting with Baldwin, his shoulders slumped. He looked bruised, fetched his tools and headed for the factory. Godfree was sure he would resign. Despite what he had called him, he felt no hate. This man had berated, ridiculed, and called him hurtful names.

Godfree needed to prepare for the managers’ meeting.

Baldwin chaired the meeting, introduced him as new maintenance manager. Congratulations poured. The managing director trumpeted Godfree’s alma matta. Godfree read respect in people’s eyes. He missed Mark.

After the meeting he walked to the machines, stopped beside Kelly.

“Your resume says you worked all over the world, Kelly. Africa, Australia and the Middle East.”

Kelly nodded. “Sure, guv. Couldn’t just stay still, always wanted to see what’s beyond the next hill.”

“You found it?”

He laughed, said all he had seen were hills, roads, trees and different coloured and sized women. He met the woman he had married in Africa. That’s the person who stopped his travels. His father had owned a business in England which Kelly inherited when he passed away. He had not wanted it, thought the old man should have left it to one of his three older brothers and sister. In addition, he loved the sunny weather and his large house in Africa. Didn’t want to come back to cold and dreary England. His married sister was rich, and his older brothers were drunkards. That’s why his dad chose him. He left Africa, returned to run the business. It made money. When it was most profitable he sold it. His wife worked as a private nurse at a doctor’s surgery. Kelly had made enough to retire, didn’t need this work but just to keep busy. He had also known Baldwin’s dad.

“With your vast experience you should have got the post of maintenance manager.”

“No, guv. Don’t need it. I’m sixty-six. My wife’s retiring soon. We plan to visit the grandkids and travel. So how long have you been with Frank’s girl? He gave me his version of events before you arrived at work. I told him he should lay off, let his daughter choose.”

Godfree told him a bit about Rose.

Kelly commented. “Seen you both. Know when a guy’s in love and the girl too. I told Frank he’s fighting a losing battle here. That his girl is the one who ran to you. That should tell you this is a matter of the heart, and he should leave it alone. You like her, guv.”

“I do.”

“Wouldn’t have minded you taking my daughter out, but all my girls are married. Think Frank will lay off once he realizes she isn’t coming back home.”

“Sure hope so, Kelly. Isn’t going to be easy working with us all working here.”

“He’s got to accept it. There are things you can’t change. Let me show you something.”

Kelly took out his phone, scrolled to a photo and showed him. He stood arm in arm with a black woman.

“Your wife?”

“Yeah.”

“I get it now when you said you met your wife in Africa.”

“So you see in a way I’m your brother-in-law, married into the family. So I understand.”

Godfree grinned. “Right. Didn’t know I had a white man as a brother-in-law. Welcome to the tribe, mate.”

He was stepping into the office when James followed him.

“I never congratulated you on your appointment.” He patted him. “Congrats, mate. Now you’re my boss. I did say painful stuff to you.”

“You did, but thanks.”

“You aren’t angry with me?”

“I should be. You haven’t been happy with me since you learnt Rose’s my girlfriend. And I thought you’d be the first to say congratulations on my appointment.”

James sat, admitted he got caught between them. Frank was his friend too, had arrived at work in a foul mood, said Godfree called him yesterday claiming Rose was his girlfriend now. To aggravate the situation, he said Godfree shouted at him, wanted him to accept him as his daughter’s boyfriend. So he and Rose clashed. All he wanted was to protect her. James had believed Frank.

“You never asked my side of the story. Frank doesn’t want you talking to me. You really believed I shouted at him?”

James’ eyes slipped away. “No. You know I’m your friend.”

“The best for him and everyone else is to leave Rose and me alone. We aren’t sharing a bed. She’s not being held against her will and using my guest room.”

James held his arm. “I’m still your mate. don’t want myself caught between you and Frank. He’s hurt and humiliated. You got to give him time.”

Godfree wanted to push the hand from his shoulder. Felt it would never be the same between them.

“Good idea.”

Frank was coming up the steps. James left. He would have to find another time to talk to him. It was James’ shift to six today.

Both Godfree and Rose had decided with to stay until they had talked to James separately, draw him out to talk about his past, the missing girls and Moto. Godfree had questions he needed answers to, and had concluded James was hiding something from his past. An event or events that had caused him to hate blondes. His story at Godfree’s house that night had been about an abandoned boy whose mother was unfaithful. James had called her a prostitute who had abandoned a seven-year old boy. That boy had been taken by social services. There had been no talk then of relative. Sexually abused by a man who adopted him that boy wanted revenge against his mother and the man. Years later he killed that man then went looking for his mother. Only she was dead. He had wanted to do the killing himself. His frustration and anger caused him to select young women that reminded him of his mother. So far three blondes had been kidnapped and not been seen ever since.

Something hit him then. James was right.

Because those girls were dead.

Why had Godfree not caught it? The pointers were there all along. James had been
telling
him his motive to kill all along. It was because of the mother, father and society that did not help him. Whom he blamed for the raw deal that was his life.

James was a killer.

He must have killed Moto too. He told him as much that he was doing James a favour and they would never see Moto again.

Now he knew who James’ target was. Rose. And Frank was unwittingly sending a killer to his own daughter. He had to see Rose immediately.

He felt chilled as he hurried to find her.

Rose was in her office busy. He tapped her shoulder. She glanced up and smiled.

“Hey. What’s wrong?”

“We got to talk now. But not here. The graveyard. It’s very important. Going there now.”

“Ok.”

He left for the shed. She arrived a minute later found him in their corner. His voice was low.

His voice was low but urgent. “James is that blonde abductor. Not only that. He is a killer. Killed those girls and that man Moto.”

“You sure?”

He told her why he thought so. It had been there all along. He was sure. Not only that. Godfree also knew who the next blonde girl to die was.

She paled. “Who?”

“You, Rose.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“You want to scare me.”

“No. It’s you alright. He always spoke about how the boy’s mother looked a lot like you. His way of telling me why he hated you. We need to draw him out. He killed those girls and Moto too.”

She glanced around her as her hand tightened around his arm. “This place’s scary. Hope he won’t follow us here. Can’t relax now with what you just told me.”

“Hold on. It’ll be over soon.”

She listened to his plan, agreed with it as she bobbed her hair up and down. He stressed they must not let him know they suspected him, not until it was completely necessary. And then he squeezed her hand.

“Goodness! He was taunting you about the girls all along, Free. Telling you all along how clever he was and would never be caught. Why he was killing and hated me for being blonde. It’s about his mother.”

“Yes, and you look like her. Let’s get back. Act normal.”

“Ok. It won’t be easy but I’ll try.”

She left, joined him in his office later.

“You look tired,” she said. “How’s the headache?”

“Gone.”

“What you need are chips and steaks tonight. I’m taking you to a restaurant. Have I told you of this new place?”

“You’re making my mouth water. Why don’t we go home?”

They grew silent as James tapped on the door and entered.

"Hi, Rose. Hope I’m not disturbing you, lover-birds."

“Nope,” Godfree said as he kicked Rose’s leg.

She wiped the frown off her face and smiled.

“Hello. Haven’t seen you all day, James. Busy?”

“Yeah, the new manager’s pushing us hard. News over the grapevine says you’ve moved in with this guy. Isn’t that too soon? Thought you’d wait until he put a ring on your finger first.”

“It’s early days yet. I might decide to dump him and go out with you instead.”

“You would?”

“Why not? Given it thought. There are things I’m noticing about Godfree I don’t like at all. Looks like it might not work out between us. Hadn’t go around to telling him yet.”

Godfree glanced at her. “You aren’t serious, Rose.”

“I am.” She showed James her left hand. “Do you see a ring? That means I’m still free. I’m just staying at his place, not sleeping with him. Had no place to go, that’s all. He can’t hold me if I decided to leave. My problem is you never made a move on me, James. Only did so when it was too late. You also caused it, as I don’t know you that much. Last thing I want is to leave this guy for you before I’m really sure. Suppose I make that move, learn later you’re the culprit who’s been taking those missing girls.”

James blinked quickly. His tongue darted out and licked his lips. “Me? You got to be joking, Rose.”

“Who knows? I never said I hated you, did I? Problem is I don’t know you much. Why do you never talk about your parents or family? If I’m to date you I must know and trust you. You could be hiding something nasty.”

“There isn’t a mystery about that. My parents were killed.”

“Oh, sorry. Never knew.”

“Sorry,” Godfree said.

“You got any brothers and sisters then?” Rose asked.

“No. My dad died...I mean both my parents were killed in a car accident. I was just seven and survived.”

“Only seven? That’s too young to lose both parents. So who raised you?”

James spoke fast. “My uncle, but he’s late now. He and my aunt raised me. She passed from leukaemia years ago. He followed a year later. Pancreatic cancer. I don’t have any living relatives. That part of my life’s too painful for me. So you can understand why I Don’t like talking about it.”

Rose patted him. “Poor man. Come on, James. Think you need a coffee and Free here, doesn’t need to know that part of your life. Let me get you a drink.”

Godfree watched them leave, recalled James had never spoken of an uncle or aunt. He was lying. He watched them stand close by the vending machines, talk and laugh. Knew how hard this must be for his girlfriend when all she wanted was scratch James’ face and scream murderer. But she had to play along. This was her best opportunity. That girl could have been an actress. Pride filled him.

When they both returned twenty minutes later James had bought a drink for Godfree.

“James had a horrible life," Rose said. “He’s really brave and surmounted impossible obstacles to get where he is.”

James looked proud.

“Is that so?” Godfree asked.

“Yes, but I won’t tell you, because he took me into his confidence. I realize now what a fine guy he is. Free…I’m sorry. What I want to say is it’s over between us. I want to go out with James.”

“What? It’s a joke, right?”

“I mean it. It’s him now.” She spoke firmly. “It’s over.”

“No, it’s not. You know I love you.”

James spoke. “She just told you I’m her new man, Godfree. Don’t bother her now. She’s my girl now, realized I’m the genuine guy. You took advantage of her. She realizes it now.”

“How about I move to your place, James? I’ve never been to see it.”

"Ah...” James scratched his cheek. “My house isn’t good enough.”

“Don’t worry. My dad won’t mind. After all he likes you, wants us together, and will be happy if we date. We will have time to talk, be together, go out for that meal and a film. I can even cook, iron your clothes and prepare your lunch-boxes.”

James looked uneasy. “I’d like nothing better but no. Why don’t you go back home? It’s best that way for now.”

She looked hurt. “You don’t want me in your place? Thought you liked me. Ah, you’re seeing another girl, aren’t you?”

“No, there’s no one else. I like you but don’t want your dad thinking we’ll be sharing a bed. I mean, eh...he will if you come to my place. Move back home now. Tell Frank the truth that you never loved Godfree, were just confused and never slept with him anyway. That you like me.  I will visit, bring flowers for you and your mother and then court you properly. Take you out and bring you back like a real gentleman. Need to impress your family. Godfree never did that.”

“He didn’t. I rushed things. He took advantage of me at that boot-fare.”

“You can’t walk out on me,” Godfree whined.

She smiled widely at James. “Sorry, was blind not to know it was James all along.”

Godfree spoke. “I’m going home.”

“I’m coming for my stuff.”

James spoke. “Don’t stop her. Need me around to help Rose?”

“I’ll be ok.”

“You pretended to love me.” Godfree glared at Rose. “James was right you’d hurt me. I should have listened. From now I don’t trust blondes either.”

“Don’t insult her! She’s my girl now.” James drew close. “Let her go or I’ll hurt you.”

“I’ll break your jaws, Jamie.”

“I will slit your throat if you hurt her. Frank wants me, not you as his son and never liked you. Try hurting her and I will kill you. I mean it.”

Godfree cocked his eyebrows. “You don’t scare me.”

“When you’re lying dead in a zipped bag at the bottom of a lake it’ll be too late for you.”

“Talking from experience? You keep talking about lakes and bags. Got a lake you throw your victims, huh? You must be this coward that’s kidnapping the girls. Did you do something to Moto too? Killed them all, you chicken. Where are they? Tell me about your lake.”

James’ face twitched. The alien look of rage was back as he snarled and growled hands opening and closing, picked the broom and raised it.

“I’m going to kill you! Stab you in that throat and rip out your heart.”

Rose pushed Godfree aside and yelled. “Give me that broom, James!”

He relaxed, put the broom back and smiled. “Hey, I won’t hurt him, Rose. He insulted me, thinks I murdered Moto and those girls.”

“You never denied it, Jamie,” Godfree said. “You hate blondes and three disappeared. There’s also the issue of your black car. Remember you were at my place the night Tracy disappeared close to midnight. That’s the time the taxi driver saw Tracy get inside a black car. Moto’s missing. Didn’t you tell me he isn’t ever coming back and how you talked to him and scared him off? Where’s he? I think you’re hiding things from me and you were supposed to be my pal. Now you’re taking my girl. I want you to tell me now you didn’t hurt those girls, where they are, and what you did with Moto.”

“Whoever killed those girls had a good reason,” James said.

Godfrey felt a chill. “You keep saying they are dead. Why? Because you killed them, didn’t you? What good reason was there to murder them? How about if we trade? You tell me where Moto and the girls are, and you can have Rose. Deal?"

James laughed. “So you think I’m that elusive blonde abductor?”

“I know you are.”

“Clever. If I confess then you run to the police and become a hero when I get arrested, huh? Get that reward money. I languish in prison while you bask in glory for helping catch me, go on TV, tell them how you caught me and and blow the cash.”

“Even if you confessed do you think I’d tell the police? Can’t have you in jail. I’d rather let you have Rose. Careful with her though. You were right when you warned me she’d hurt me. Hope she doesn’t dump you too.”

“Loser,” Rose snarled. “Just because I like James better than you. How can you accuse him of killing those girls and Moto? He’s not a killer.”

 He switched off the desktop and fetched his bag. “He abducted those girls, killed them and Moto and dumped them in a lake. Let him say he isn’t a killer to your face. And do you know who’s next, Rose? You. He will get you to an isolated spot and kill you too. Then you’ll join the others in his lake.”

“Never. Not James. You’re just creating stories here. James’ll never murder anyone.”

He pointed at James and winked. “You almost got caught with that last girl, Jamie. That taxi driver saw you stop and pick her. Luck was on your side, because he never saw the model of your car. That’s why you were uneasy with the news, thought I might suspect you. Another thing was the time you left my place that night. You wanted to establish your alibi just in case the police came.”

James smiled. “So you suspected me?”

“Yes, but your secret’s safe. We’re pals. You must tell me one day how you planned it all? Had you written your story it would have become a bestseller.”

James laughed. “Yeah, maybe I’ll tell you one day.”

Godfree winked again. “I knew someone local was kidnapping those girls.”

“Come on,” Rose said. “You aren’t seriously trying to make me believe James here is a killer?”

“That’s what he is. He killed those girls and Moto. Think he has a lake in the trees somewhere not very far from his home. Know there are several lakes in the trees. I’m going home now. Don’t worry, Jamie. I won’t talk. Come get your stuff now, Rose, before I put it outside. Don’t want it in my house any longer.”

“So what now?” James asked still with a smile on his face. “You going to tell the police you suspect me?”

Godfree shook his head. “No. I don’t want to lose a friend. Would miss the Nandos chicken and our chess games if you get locked up. I understand. Your mother was one cruel and evil woman.”

“James isn’t a killer,” Rose said.

“He’s hasn’t denied it. Come get your stuff.”

She snapped. “James isn’t a killer! Got to follow you to grab my things.”

Godfree walked out and drove home was relieved to see Rose follow. Minutes later she followed him into the house closed the door, held him as she shivered.

“You were right. It’s him. Isn’t he just horrible? He murdered them all! You pushed him into a corner, riled him. He never denied killing the girls, even looked like he’s proud of it. He suspects you think it’s him.”

“What else did you learn?”

When she talked to him earlier James lied. He had several versions of his parents’ deaths. He hated his mother. When he spoke of her his face changed. She had brought men home, bullied the father who never fought back, or protect the boy, abandoned the family for another man. Rose reminded him of his mother; very pretty and blonde. They could have been sisters. He changed his uncle’s story, didn’t mention an aunt. Talked about being taken by social services and placed in a foster home. His life there was a story of abuse.