The Girl in the Rug (12 page)

Tracy felt rather nervous as she walked up the pretty garden
path and past the pond that gave ‘Duck Pond Cottage’ its name. The house was
anything but a cottage with its grand front door which looked like it had been
hewn from a single piece of oak and its large mullioned windows that flanked
the entrance porch on either side. Tracy thought it looked more like a medieval
great house, which probably explained her nerves, but didn’t explain why it had
taken her the best part of an hour and several discarded outfits before she had
been satisfied with her appearance for this visit which, when all was said and
done, was just visiting her next door neighbour. Only now that she had found
out how famous Louisa Boulter was…well she was all of a flutter, which was
ridiculous to say the least.

The door was answered by Tim, looking as dapper as ever, he
greeted her with a wide smile and invited her in.

The cottage inside was charming, although Tracy could see
that they had done a lot of work to the place. Most of the interior walls
seemed to have been knocked down making the downstairs almost completely open
plan, but the ceilings were still flanked by the original beams and there were
a couple of really impressive open fireplaces that looked like originals.

Tim showed Tracy into the kitchen, ‘It’s so kind of you to
have gone to all this trouble Tracy,’ he said switching on the coffee machine,
‘Louisa and I have been run off our feet since we’ve been home, or we would
have looked into it ourselves…’

Tracy put up a hand, ‘Oh please don’t give it another
thought Tim, the walk did me good and anyway I don’t know if what I’ve found
out will be of any help…’

She broke off as Tim said, ‘Oh Louisa darling…come and meet
Tracy, she’s just popped in with some info on the big house for us.’

Tracy turned and was shocked to see a tiny woman in an
electric wheelchair trundle into the room.

She collected herself almost immediately and held out her
hand with a smile, ‘Hi, so lovely to meet you at last, and as I was saying to
Tim I don’t know how good my information is so…’

Louisa smiled at Tracy and squeezed her hand, ‘I told Tim he
shouldn’t have bothered you with it…it’s not your problem after all. It’s just
such a shame that someone saw fit to plant those bloody great trees…they block
off all our sun you know, they’ll have to come down one way or another. Anyway
it’s served some good if we’ve finally met our neighbours, how long have you
lived here Tracy?’

Louisa wheeled her way over to the table and gestured for
Tracy to sit down.

‘Oh not long at all,’ said Tracy, ‘although I have lived in
Kenley Village for years…’

Louisa Boulter was the sort of person that made you feel
really comfortable. She was very pretty, in a gentle way, with soft brown eyes
and hair, and she had a way of looking at you as if she was fascinated by
everything you had to say. Subsequently Tracy found herself jabbering on about
all sorts of stuff, she told them about her job and how she’d met Simon, her
friendship with the witches, which seemed to amuse Louisa no end, and her
unlikely friendship with ‘Mad Nora’ her neighbour on the other side.

‘Of course we’ve put all that behind up now,’ Tracy was
saying, ‘and she’s a sweet old thing really, but I was really upset at first,
thinking I’d moved next to some sort of nutter.’

‘I’m not surprised,’ laughed Louisa, ‘I mean it’s not often
you get an egg thrown at you is it?’

‘Speaking of your neighbour Tracy,’ interrupted Tim, ‘did
she know who owned the big house? I know you said you thought she might be your
best bet.’

‘Well she knew enough to point me in the right direction Tim,’
Tracy said with a smile. ‘The house used to be owned by a Ruth and Terrence
Robinson. He owned a building company based in Redbank and she was a teacher at
the local school, my school in fact although it was before my time there.
Anyhow as far as I can tell they bought a place in Portugal when they retired
and went to live there, leaving the house and business to their two sons,
Gordon and Fredrick, but the house now seems to belong to the business itself.
Simon my husband seemed to think this may have been some sort of tax dodge; I
don’t know anything about that. But what I did find out, by speaking to the
most condescending and snobby secretary in the world, is that the house is now
used as some sort of venue, for corporate functions and the such like…which
probably explains the parties etc. but I don’t think anyone actually lives
there. I did manage to get a number you can ring though.’

‘Wow,’ said Tim impressed, ‘you have done well Tracy…thank
you.’

‘That’s great,’ Louisa exclaimed, ‘at least now we have
somewhere that we can phone when we need to complain…oh well done Tracy.’ She
grabbed Tracy’s hand, ‘And I’m so glad I’ve met you too, it’s pretty tricky
making friends when you’re always on the move…and this thing doesn’t help,’ she
banged the side of the chair.

‘Oh I didn’t like to ask,’ Tracy began hesitantly, ‘how long
have you…I mean was this something you were born with…oh I’m sorry…none of my
business…’

‘No that’s fine…of course you’re curious,’ Louisa said
gently. ‘I had a climbing accident actually, ooh about seven years ago
now…broke my back.’ She went quiet for a moment, ‘Still at least I still have
my eyes and my ears and my voice, although that was touch and go for a
while…and as long as I have got this thing,’ she indicated the chair, ‘and Tim
of course, I can get about…so who need legs, bloody nuisance…all that shaving
and stuff.’

‘Oh tell me about it,’ laughed Tracy, ‘I’m thinking of
making blankets for the Red Cross, the amount of hair I get from my legs.’

Tracy spent the afternoon with the Boulters and walked home
with a happy smile on her face. What lovely people, Louisa didn’t have an ounce
of Diva about her, despite having performed at some of the most prestigious
places, even for the queen a couple of times. And Tim was just one of those
rarest of things, a nice uncomplicated man, who was devoted to his wife.

Her journey home took her past the entrance to the big house
and she was surprised to see quite a lot of activity going on, the same white
van as before was parked out front but there were also a couple of very flash
cars on the drive. Tracy slowed her step and lingered round the gates trying to
see what was going on. It looked like they were gearing up for another
function, Tracy could see crates of wine being taken from the back of the van
into the house. As she was watching two men came out of the front door talking
in a jovial way with each other. The shorter and elder of the two men turned
and shook hands with the other man, he seemed very familiar to Tracy, she was
just wracking her brain trying to remember where she had seen him before, when
he got into a very shiny and expensive looking car and with a wave of his hand,
drove his way slowly along the drive straight towards where she was standing.
The huge gates swung open to let him through and Tracy pulled back a bit from
the entrance to avoid being seen snooping, but she got a good look at the
driver of the car before he sped away. Now she remembered who he was, it was
Redbank’s newly elected Mayor, David Wesley…how mysterious, she must remember
to tell Louisa next time she saw her.

‘Have you noticed that there seems to be one name cropping
up all the time…well two names but I am convinced that they are one and the
same person,’ said Linda pushing one of Ted’s hand written documents over for
Carla and James to look at.

‘Clive Tutt…hmm he’s been all over the place hasn’t he,’
Carla said, ‘and going by these earlier pictures I agree, the similarity to
this Robert Gray is uncanny, well Ted certainly seemed to think so…he puts the
two names together all the time.’

‘I thought anyone that worked anywhere near children had to
have one of those police check thingys…doesn’t that apply to caretakers then?’
James said shaking his head and getting up, ‘More coffee anyone?’

‘Ooh yes please,’ said Linda handing over her cup. ‘It does
beggar belief though doesn’t it Carla. I mean the man was sacked from that
house in Glasgow…um Queen Street I think it was, because another member of
staff lodged a complaint about him…’ she broke off and started rummaging
through the papers on the table, ‘ah here it is, yes she lodged a complaint
because of his inappropriate behaviour towards the children. I mean come on,
how does a man like that get to work in another care home…in Glasgow, just
three months later…what the fuck’s going on!’

Carla, after looking briefly through Ted’s ‘project’, had
decided that he may very well have been on to something so she had invited
Linda over for the evening to go through it properly with her.

‘The problem is,’ Carla said, smiling her thanks to James
who was handing her a coffee, ‘that no matter how many safeguards the system
may put in place, if someone is determined enough and resourceful enough,
they’ll always find a way round these things. Obviously Mr Tutt is just such a
man, and then what you have to ask yourself is why he is so determined to work
with kids, especially vulnerable kids like those at the homes…it’s not like the
pay’s anything to write home about…’

‘Well I would have thought that was obvious,’ interrupted
James. ‘Either the man is a saint who’s life’s work is to help children in
care…or he’s a paedophile praying on the weak and helpless, and my money’s on
the second given the number of homes he’s worked at over the years.’

‘Well Dad certainly seemed to single him out for special
attention,’ said Linda looking through the papers again. ‘He’s made notes of
all the people that Tutt met up with…and I must say that for a humble caretaker
he did seem to have dealings with a lot of people in high places. Look at this
Carla, on the 10
^th
of August he met up with local magistrate Harold
Shuckter, Gordon Robinson CEO of Robinsons’ builders, Councilmen Len Harris and
David Wesley and Martin Hind chairmen of the Redbank round table. All at
different times during a single day, what the hell was he up to…’

‘Yes but also,’ Carla said eagerly, ‘look how little time he
spent talking to each of them…Harold Shuckter- 9.47-10.04, Len
Harris-11.02-11.13…the only one he had a proper chat with was Gordon Robinson, over
half an hour with him…it’s like he was going around giving people information
or receiving information. Obviously something that couldn’t be discussed on the
phone…’

‘Well I would say that’s as good a place as any to start
wouldn’t you Carla,’ Linda said, ‘I need to find out more about this Tutt
character…follow him about a bit, see what comes of it…’

‘It would be good to find out what he’s up to,’ mused Carla,
‘but you must be really careful Linda…keep your distance, don’t let him know
you are watching him…’ she broke off as there was a knock at the door, James
went to out to answer it, and came back in a couple of minutes later with Frank
in tow.

‘Oh sorry,’ he said as soon as he saw Linda, ‘I didn’t know
you had company, I’ll go…’

‘No,’ said Carla and Linda at the same time, ‘don’t be silly
Frank, Linda’s just come round to help me with something,’ Carla said heading
into the kitchen, ‘Fancy a beer…or a coffee or something?’

‘A beer would be great thanks,’ said Frank sitting down next
to Linda, ‘So Connelly, how’s life as a reporter…dug up any scandals
yet…naughty goings on behind the cricket pavilion, who’s been interfering with
Tommy Sinclair’s giant marrow?’ he finished with a smirk.

‘Actually I’m on the crime desk now…’ began Linda bristling,
but Frank’s attention had drifted away from her as he had just noticed Ted’s
handwriting on some of the printouts on the table in front of him. James,
spotting him looking, hastily tried to gather the papers up but he wasn’t quick
enough and Frank picked up one of Ted’s reports and started reading it.

He looked up at Carla who came back into the living room
with his beer, ‘What the hell is this?’ he asked holding the paper out to her.
‘Why was Ted watching Glendon House?’

Carla looked at James crossly, ‘I tried to clear them away
but he was too quick for me,’ James defended himself.

‘What’s this all about Carla…is it something I should know
about?’ Frank asked again.

‘I was going to tell you…’ began Carla.

‘I asked Carla to look into something that my Dad had been
working on,’ interrupted Linda, and she went on to explain about Ted’s
conviction that there was a paedophile ring active in the Redbank area. ‘More
particularly he thought they were targeting the kids in the care homes…and that
even some of the people that ran the homes could be involved so…’

‘What evidence have you got so far?’ Frank asked abruptly.

‘Well it’s not really evidence…but there was definitely
something funny going on, we were just talking about one man in particular
before you arrived…’ started Carla.

‘I want in on this,’ Frank said shortly, looking bullishly
at Carla and Linda, ‘who’s this man that you are interested in?’

‘That’s ok Frank I think I can handle it,’ said Linda, her
hackles rising. ‘I’ve already told Carla that I will keep tabs on Tutt, and do
a little digging around…I’m quite capable of making a few discreet enquires you
know…’

‘Tutt…who’s Tutt, is he known to us?’ Frank asked Carla,
ignoring Linda.

‘No…not that I can think of, although he does seem to have
used another name, Robert something…it might be worth getting Mandy to check
him out,’ Carla said. ‘Um…I think it might be better if we let Linda do a bit
more digging first Frank, we don’t have anywhere near enough to make this
official yet so…’

Linda couldn’t help but give Frank a little triumphant look.
‘Don’t worry Frank if I find anything out I will let Carla know immediately,’
she said.

Frank was not happy, ‘I’m sorry Carla but I think you must
be mad letting a…a wet behind the ears reporter investigate something as potentially
serious as this, no I’m sorry Linda,’ he held up his hand when she started to
protest. ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but let’s face it you’ve been on the crime
desk five minutes and already you think you know how to gather evidence…it’s a
skill that has to be learnt you know, it takes time.’

Linda’s eyes flashed angrily at Frank, ‘There wouldn’t be
anything to investigate if I hadn’t brought this to Carla,’ she said crossly,
‘and for your information I know exactly how to gather evidence…I’m not going to
muck it up, I will be subtle…something I’m sure you know nothing about.’

Carla thought it time to intervene. ‘Frank, all Linda is
going to do is keep an eye on Clive Tutt, make a note of his movements and
alert us if he starts acting suspiciously.’ She turned to Linda, ‘And I want
your promise Linda that you won’t approach Tutt or alert him to your presence
in anyway…you are just observing and making notes…ok?’

Frank was still far from happy but he didn’t say anymore,
just drank his beer in silence while the others looked through Ted’s notes
again. He was not going to be sidelined though, especially in an investigation
such as this…and especially not one that involved Glendon House…he would bide
his time though…and then he’d do it his way.