She ambled along, trying to look casual, but spying in at each window she came to, just in case she found the mysterious woman. Looking up at the windows above her, someone drew the blinds, but Mabel couldn’t see who. If the woman had gone to an upper floor she was scuppered.

  The slamming of a door attracted Mabel’s attention and it came from a downstairs flat. Hiding behind a convenient apple tree, she saw the mysterious woman passing through a ground floor corridor. So, who was she and what flat number was it that she lived in?

  Then someone cleared their throat near her.

  Mabel jumped.

  ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

  Mabel found herself looking at a woman in a housekeeping uniform with a badge that said she was Shelly, and her position was development manager.

  ‘Oh, hello, um I was thinking about viewing the flat that’s for sale. And I was taking in the beautiful gardens and trying to find the vacant apartment.’

  Mabel was quite proud of herself for thinking so quickly on her feet.

  ‘Well, I’m glad you like the gardens, but the apartment that’s for sale is at the other side of the development.’

  ‘Oh, silly me, never did have a sense of direction!’

  ‘Would you like me to take you round?’

  ‘No, no thanks all the same. I’ll get in touch with the estate agents. I need to get off I’m late for…’ That’s where Mabel’s imagination failed her, and she rushed away before Shelley could ask Mabel for her name.

  Anyway at least she knew the development now, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the red-eyed woman from the library records. The bus stop back into town was on the same side of the road as the development but further away from it. So, Mabel sat on a nearby bench to wait, with her back to foliage. The shade it gave was very welcome. It was nearly 2 o’clock and Mabel wanted her lunch and a drink.

  Mabel’s phone rang and rang, but this time she answered it. ‘Oh, hello, Flynn. What’s up?’

  ‘What’s up, what’s up? Where are you? And why didn’t you answer the phone?’

  ‘I’ve been following up a lead,’ said Mabel.

  ‘You should have told me, and I’d have come along. You can’t go swanning off on your own, you know! It could be dangerous!’

  Flynn couldn’t have anything happen to Mabel, she was his responsibility, and he could imagine the trouble he’d be in if anything happened to her.

  ‘Right, where are you?’

  ‘Oh, I followed a woman who was having a conversation in the library. It looks like her husband was scammed by Mr and Mrs Gains.’

  Flynn’s interest was piqued. ‘Come on, then, what is their name and where do they live?’

  ‘I’m not sure of the names at the mo…’ Her answer was abruptly cut off.

  ‘Mabel?’

  Then there was a shout. Flynn listened intently. He heard muffled voices, one a man’s and one Mabel’s. He heard something like, ‘Who are you and what do you want?’

  And then nothing.

  One minute she’d been talking and the next he’d heard a shout, a cry, a kerfuffle and a thump. Who had found Mabel and where the hell was she?

  This was Flynn’s worst nightmare. What was to be done? He was very afraid she was injured. And who knew if anyone would find her? He could go and look for her, but he had no idea where she was. Then it hit him. CCTV. He quickly checked his watch. It was 2.10pm. When did she leave the library? He paced the room, with Baxter tracking his every step. Okay so it was Wednesday. Half day closing. That was it! Anytime around 1pm they should find her on CCTV leaving work. He went for the stairs, Baxter following closely on his heels.

  Chapter 31

  The bus bound for Muddlebay town centre, rumbled along the road, struggling up the hills and then coasting down the dales. The noise of the engine was quite deafening. It was no wonder most of the young people nowadays wore those earbud things, listening to their music, she guessed. Sat at the back of the bus, her wicker shopping basket on her lap, Miriam Swallow amused herself by looking at the people they passed, wondering what they did.

  There was a gaggle of girls, no doubt just out of school. Their skirts were turned over and over at the waistband to make them as short as possible and a couple of them had pulled out their white shirts and tied them in a knot. What always amused Miriam was that each generation thought those ideas were their own. They couldn’t conceive of the older generation once being their age. She smiled indulgently.

  Stomping down the hill was an older man, all muscles and big boots, clearly trying to make a statement. But if he thought he was threatening, he could think again. He looked rather ridiculous with his leather waistcoat and chain keeping his wallet safe.

  Then Miriam saw something that rather shocked her. At first, she thought someone had dropped their coat on the floor and just left it there. But then the coat moved. She was sure it had. Oh, and there was a head with white hair and what was that? Blood? Definitely red stuff. Miriam looked quickly around but no one was taking any notice of her.

  ‘Stop the bus!’ she cried.

  But the driver appeared not to have heard her. The younger people in the bus both had earbuds in her and couldn’t hear her calling. There was nothing else for it. She stood and swayed with the movement of the bus, grabbing for the emergency cord. At last she reached it and yanked it down. The wheels on the bus squealed and the driver fought to control his vehicle, bringing it to a shuddering halt.

  ‘What on earth do you think you’re doing?’ the driver shouted to Miriam as she ran the length of the bus.

  ‘Quick, open the door, there’s someone injured. Back there at the bus stop. Quickly, there’s blood! I’m sure I saw blood!’

  Chapter 32

  Whilst Fisher was locating the correct CCTV files, Elgin took a call to the police station.

  ‘What?’ Flynn heard him say. ‘Are you sure? Okay I’ll tell him.’

  ‘Tell who, what?’ asked Flynn.

  ‘Um, don’t know how to tell you, its, um…’

  ‘For goodness sake get on with it!’

  ‘It’s Mabel,’ Elgin said, and the rest came out in a rush. ‘She’s been injured. In hospital. Apparently, she had your contact details in her handbag, in case anything happened to her. She’s in A&E and they think you…’

  But whatever Elgin was trying to say was lost as Flynn whirled around and out of the door.

  Starting the car, putting on the blues and twos, Flynn sped out of the car park and only just avoided a car as he pulled onto the road. At speeds that were unsafe, but prepared to take the risk, he rushed to the hospital, leaving the car in a drop off bay and flinging himself through the Emergency Department doors.

  ‘Mabel Heggarty,’ he huffed to an approaching nurse, fumbling to get his warrant card out of his pocket. ‘Detective Sergeant Flynn Moran.’

  ‘Very well, she’s in Bay 10 but she’s still out of it. If you go through, I’ll get Dr Gill to come and see you.’

  Flynn nodded and walked down the corridor until he came to Bay 10. The curtains were drawn all around the bed, which Flynn found rather ominous. There was no noise from inside. Tentatively parting the curtains, he saw Mabel on the bed, laid out in the recovery position. That gave him a view of the back of her head, which was a mess to say the least. The skin had been split and quite a few stitches were in view. Her white hair was stained red around the wound.

  Walking around the bed, so Flynn could see her face, it was obvious that Mabel was in a bad way. She was deathly pale, her eyes closed and lips bloodless. Flynn swayed, then grabbed a nearby chair and sat by the bed. That was where the doctor found him.

  Looking up, Flynn said, ‘Doctor, please help her. She’s my… friend. Yes, very definitely my friend.’

  Chapter 33

  It was a couple of hours later when Flynn heard moaning.

  Then, ‘What? What happened?’

  ‘Mabel?’

  ‘Ooh, my head hurts.’

  ‘Mabel, thank goodness. You’re in hospital. I’ll get the doctor.’

  Flinging back the curtains, Flynn called, ‘Doctor. I need a doctor here!’

  Dr Gill came around the corner.

  ‘She’s waking up, doctor.’

  Without speaking, the doctor pushed past Flynn to get to Mabel, who’s eyelids were fluttering open. He checked her eyes, her pulse and her heartbeat, then helped her to turn onto her back. ‘Mind your head, Mabel, it’s bound to be sore, but we’ve put a dressing on it. I’ll leave you with DS Moran, but if you need anything, Flynn can call us. Perhaps use the call button next time, detective?’

  Flynn nodded, not trusting his voice. The rush of emotion he was feeling was an anathema to him. He wasn’t sure what it was or how to deal with it, so he pushed it to the back of his mind and got on with the job.

  ‘Mabel, what were you up to? Where were you?’

  ‘Um, not sure, Flynn. Ooh my head hurts.’

  ‘I’m sure it does, but this is important, Mabel.’

  ‘I can’t remember. I know I left the library and caught a bus. But that’s all.’

  ‘That’s all! That’s not good enough, Mabel.’

  Flynn was astonished to see tears in Mabel’s eyes. ‘I can’t remember. My head hurts.’

  ‘Sorry. Of course, it does. Look, just you rest and take it easy. I’ll see you later.’

  Flynn left the cubicle and found the doctor. ‘She doesn’t remember anything.’

  ‘Well, that’s not surprising. Not after what she’s been through.’

  ‘But will she?’

  ‘Will she what?’

  ‘Remember!’

  ‘It’s difficult to say.’

  ‘Try.’

  ‘Alright. She might get her memory back anytime in the next 24 hours, or 24 months. Okay? How the hell do I know? This is not an exact science, DS Moran. Now if you’ll excuse me…’ and with that the doctor stalked off.

  Flynn shrugged and left the hospital. Maybe Fisher and Elgin had found something useful.

  Chapter 34

  The next thing Mabel remembered was being moved. Her bed was trundling along a corridor.

  ‘What?’

  ‘What what?’ said a kindly voice. A woman. ‘It’s alright, Mabel. Nothing to worry about. We’re just moving you along the corridor to the A&E ward. We just want to keep an eye on you overnight. Okay?’

  Mabel nodded her head. Then wished she hadn’t. She groaned in pain. ‘It hurts,’ she mumbled.

  ‘I know. I’ll get you something for the pain once you’re settled.’

  Mabel sagged with relief. They were looking after her. She was safe. The bed trundled into a side ward, banging through the double doors. Mabel was moved to an empty spot about halfway down the ward, but within sight of the nurse’s station. That made her feel better. If anyone wanted to get to her, they’d have to get past the nurses on duty.

  Mabel couldn’t really understand what had happened and why. Alright, what, was a bang on the back of her head, but why, well that was trickier. She wished she could remember.

  ‘Flynn?’ she asked. ‘Where’s Flynn?’

  ‘DS Moran has gone now, Mabel. He said he’d be in to see you tomorrow. Now here, take these,’ and the nurse put a little cardboard tub in her hand. ‘It’s just paracetamol, but it will help.’

  Meekly, Mabel did as she was told. She was then left alone with just a low nightlight on over her bed. But she could watch the nurses come and go and sit talking in low voices, under muted lights. The ward smelled vaguely of antiseptic or was that from her head?

  Mabel did wonder why she couldn’t remember anything. Especially when it could be so important. Someone had hit her over the head to stop her telling Flynn something. But what? She hadn’t seen her assailant. Didn’t know who he was. He? Was it a he? She wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

  At last Mabel dropped into an uneasy sleep. She’d been frightened to close her eyes and sleep in case she didn’t wake up. Or someone came into the ward without her hearing. Someone who wanted to hurt her. Harm her. To stop her telling Flynn something. But what was it she shouldn’t tell? All these thoughts went whirring round in her head, even as she slept.

  Mabel jerked awake. Eyes flying open. She’d heard something. It had sounded like the clinking of chains. She checked, but her wrists weren’t bound. So, it couldn’t have been the clinking of handcuffs that she’d heard. She looked around. She was still in hospital, on the A&E ward. All was still and quiet. She must have been dreaming, but about what? Or who?

  Chapter 35

  The next morning, Flynn was out and about early, and Baxter was with him. Flynn wanted to try and work out where Mabel had been the previous day when she’d been hurt. CCTV hadn’t helped much, so Flynn had a cunning plan. A secret weapon. Baxter.

  Starting from where Mabel had been attacked at the bus stop, he let Baxter sniff around the seat and the bush behind it. Flynn stood and looked around. The area seemed familiar somehow, but he couldn’t remember why.

  Baxter yanked on the lead, straining to get away, his nose on the pavement.

  ‘What is it, boy?’

  Baxter sat and barked. Just the once.

  ‘Mabel? Can you smell her?’

  Baxter barked. Again, just the once.

  ‘Let’s go then,’ said Flynn and loosened the extending lead, so Baxter could have his head.

  They walked 100 yards down the road, then Baxter stopped again. They were at a crossroads. Which direction had Mabel come from? Flynn looked around. Still nothing was ringing any bells. He was cross and frustrated with himself for not knowing the area well enough. After this was all over, he’d make sure he drove round and round Muddlebay until he knew every nook and cranny, as Mabel did.

  Baxter made his decision and took off running down the hill, with Flynn following, trying to keep up. After a few yards Baxter skidded to a halt and dived into the grounds of a large block of flats. He swept backwards and forwards around the drive, until picking up the scent again, Baxter moved into the gardens.

  But Flynn wasn’t following this time. He was standing by the sign: ‘Overdown Retirement Village.’

  Rufus Black.

  Could he be the man who had attacked Mabel? And if so, why?

  It was up to Flynn to find out. But not on his own. He needed back up.

  Flynn wasn’t the only one up and about early. Mabel was fully awake and desperately trying to catch someone’s attention.

  ‘Where’s my phone?’ she asked a passing nurse.

  ‘Phone?’

  ‘Yes, my mobile.’

  ‘I’ve no idea, I’m afraid. You didn’t have a mobile with you when you arrived. Not according to your notes anyway.’

  ‘But that can’t be right!’

  ‘Well, I’m afraid that’s all I know.’

  ‘But I need to ring Flynn!’

  ‘Flynn?’

  ‘DS Moran of Muddlebay police. I’ve some information he needs urgently.’

  ‘It’s alright, Mabel.’ The nurse approached Mabel’s bed. ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure DS Moran is fine. You can tell him later when he pops in to visit.’

  ‘But that could be too late!’

  ‘Well, it’s the best I can do.’ The nurse patted Mabel’s hand. ‘Try not to worry. I’m sure everything will be fine.’

  ‘Can I make a phone call?’ Mabel shouted after her as she moved down the ward. But the nurse didn’t give any indication of having heard her.

  It was clear why. She had gone to join the other nurses and the doctor huddled around the nursing station. Mabel sank back into her pillows. Defeated. For now.

  Chapter 36

  Flynn interrupted Baxter’s inspection of the gardens and pulling the dog away, much to Baxter’s dismay, retraced his steps back to the police car. Baxter was unceremoniously dumped on the front seat, much to his chagrin, turning his back on Flynn in a huff.

  Picking up the radio, oblivious to Baxter’s bad mood, he called the station.

  Fisher answered, ‘Flynn, this is Fisher, over.’

  ‘Are you and Elgin free?’

  ‘Say again, over.’

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Holding the fort as requested, over.’

  The fort? What the hell? ‘I need you and Elgin at Overdown Retirement Village ASAP.’

  ‘Roger. But you’ve got the car, over.’

  That stopped Flynn. Of course, he was still using the police car, the only vehicle they had.

  ‘On my way back to collect you.’

  ‘Roger, over.’

  Flynn closed his eyes. What a surreal conversation. He was convinced Fisher had been watching too many police dramas on the television.

  At last the doctor came to see Mabel.

  ‘How are you feeling today, Mabel?’

  ‘Much better thank you, Dr Gill.’

  ‘How’s the pain?’

  ‘Bearable. They’ve been giving me paracetamol.’

  ‘Memory?’

  ‘Well, that’s the thing, doctor. I’ve remembered something and need to call DS Moran. But I’ve no mobile and no one will let me make a call.’ Mabel was becoming tearful and was in danger of openly crying in front of the doctor.

  ‘Well, I will. So don’t upset yourself.’

  ‘I don’t know the number, it’s in my mobile that I’ve lost.’ Tears tracked down Mabel’s cheeks and she swiped them away, hating to be so weak and emotional.

  ‘I’ve got it,’ Doctor Gill said. ‘Flynn asked me to call this morning to let him know how you are.’

  Whilst they were talking, the doctor had taken his mobile out of his pocket and called Flynn. He held on for ages as the number rang and rang. Then he said, ‘Sorry, Mabel, there was no reply.’

 

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