Trodds Lane

By Nick Roteman

He hadn’t meant to kill Pete but the experience was exhilarating and sexually arousing. Nothing would come in the way of his pursuit of money not even his girlfriend’s son. She desperately needed a job and sex, through the library manager she hoped to find both. She was a pretty 23 years old, with large green eyes, long wild hair, and a quirky sense of fashion. Unfortunately being autistic meant she possessed little understanding of human behaviour and struggled daily in an alien world to communicate with her fellow man. She has few friends, so when Pete goes missing she searches desperately for him. Only she realises he is dead, but as the body count mounts she is unable to convince her friends or the police. He is a dangerous psychotic, ruthless but with a deadly secret he must kill to protect. She knows who he is, he knows who she is. Fighting to overcome her difficulties she must risk more than just her life to set a trap for him. The race is on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Authors
• Release date: Aug 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781783339334

Book preview

coincidental.

Prologue

Tom Phipps leaned forward so he could whisper in his young friend’s ear. It wasn’t to whisper a secret, but in fact, just so he could be heard above the thumping noise that was the so-called dance music, inside The ‘Blue Lamp Nightclub,’ in the heart of Bournemouth, a vibrant sprawling cosmopolitan town on the South Coast of England.

Peter had yet to officially, ‘come out,’ but had always felt comfortable in Tom’s company. He was studying at one of the many Universities situated here, and secretly met Tom, a friend of his father’s, about once a month. He was infatuated with Tom, who used this fact as a leverage to borrow money on a regular basis, in return for the odd fumble.

Tom at the tender age of twelve had been shown the pain of sex by a close friend of his father’s. It was awful yet exhilarating, the guilty pleasure, with the added fear of being found out, was a feeling that haunted him, and one he often felt the need to repeat. He was thirty-nine, and dating a beautiful woman Natalie ten years his junior, boring, but acceptable as a companion for the cinema, or for a good meal out, as long as she paid. It gave him that air of respectability and covered his sexual predilection for young men.

His sole drive in life was money or the attainment of it. He earned a meagre living as a freelance graphic designer, freelance only because no company appreciated his talents enough to employ him fulltime, and anyway he resented those who were successful. He hated being perpetually broke and as such was prepared to do anything and to anyone, if there were a monetary reward associated with it. He was fit, good looking, witty, and a dangerous psychotic without conscience.

Chapter One

The phone rang in the living room and she ran to answer it.

She had been taught at length by her sister, the correct and polite way to answer the phone.

Hello this is Jennifer Grimley who is calling please? Auburn asked.

Hi Auburn, just the girl I want to talk to, it’s me your cousin Freddy! Do you remember me? How are you? And is Stella there too?

Yes I do thank you. Yes I’m very well, and yes I will put my sister on, please wait, thank you, she said in a strange monosyllabic way, as she hated speaking on the phone, she preferred to be able to see who was talking to her, not that she often cared to speak to other people.

Carefully putting the receiver down on the table, even though Freddy was still trying to talk to her, she walked unhurriedly out of the room, with that strange gait of hers, and into the kitchen where her sister was busily preparing supper.

Stella glanced up from her cooking. Who was that darling?

Freddy, Auburn replied going straight to the fridge and taking out a carton of apple juice, which she carried in both hands to the kitchen table.

Stella surreptitiously watched her sister as she then collected a clean glass from the sideboard, and after fumbling for what seemed an age with the lid, finally managed to open the carton and ever so carefully poured the juice into the glass, a look of intense concentration etched on her pretty, elfin shaped face. Even after all that care, she still managed to overfill the glass, which dribbled its excess down onto the table top.

Well what did he want? Stella asked having waited long enough.

I didn’t ask, you can ask! she replied, gingerly placing the carton on the table next to her glass as she made off to fetch some kitchen towel.

Oh honey, you can’t just leave people hanging on! Stella said shaking her head in dismay as she dashed out of the kitchen. Auburn ignored her sister’s slight rebuke she was too busy with cleaning down the table top. People, even her dear sister, always expected so much from her, and she had little to give.

Stella returned a few minutes later a wide grin filling her face. It was Freddy, your cousin, you remember him don’t you darling?

Yes of course I do, she replied emitting a huge tutting sound. He asked me that question too. I’m autistic not stupid you know!

Of course not my darling, as I’ve always said, you’re special.

Well special or not actually I do like him, he’s different, sort of like me, well not like me actually. Auburn replied correcting herself. When she meant different she meant he was very hippyish in his outlook and dress sense; constantly at odds with conformity, she understood that, and he was always kind and patient with her, which helped immensely.

The outcome of the telephone call was that Freddy having broken up with his partner Adam had moved down to Bournemouth a few months back, and had rented a large two bedroom flat. He had asked Stella if Auburn would like to come and stay for a while; in fact move in with him, if she wished, there was plenty of room and he was sure it would be great fun and also good for her. Stella loved Freddy, he being one of the few who seemed to understand Auburn and her needs. He was also extremely kind and for a youngster reasonably sensible. She had noticed over the last few months how very bored Auburn had become, also she had been pestering her almost daily to let her go back to the coast where she had been happiest. Bournemouth and Freddy seemed to be a prayer answered. It had been an awkward year living with her boyfriend Simon and Auburn in a two bed, albeit very roomy apartment, just outside of Manchester in an affluent area. Dr Simon Frost was a Consultant in A+E at the Manchester General and definitely on the way up. Stella herself had been a staff sister in A+E, although she had given that up to look after her sister, and secretly had to admit she was desperate to get back to nursing other people rather than just Auburn.

Auburn travelled on her own by train down to Bournemouth without incident, having first learnt all the names of the stations on route, and the precise time she would be passing through each one, which she mentally ticked off. This kept her mind focused on the journey, and was the only way she could cope with travel. Everything had to be organised and precise in her world, or she fell apart.

She had considerable trouble carrying her precious laptop, her lifeline that was never far from reach, and dragging her suitcase behind her along the platform, until he spied her and came running to the rescue.

Freddy’s flat was the entire first floor of a three storey Victorian building, a stone’s throw from the pier. On their first night together, they had decided on a takeaway, curry being their preference, and were just sitting down to eat it when the front door bell rang. Freddy went to answer it and returned a few minutes later with a visitor in tow.

Auburn this is Rachel, she lives on the floor above, he announced.

Hi Auburn, it’s great to meet you, I’ve heard lots from Freddy. I do hope we can be real friends? She said eagerly.

Auburn continued eating without even bothering to look up, it took an eternity for her to even begin to register the presence of a stranger, being more likely it would freak her out and she’d just retreat to a safe place inside her head.

Freddy left Rachel standing near the kitchen door, while he walked around to where Auburn sat and stood over her, he knew the routine.

Auburn, now that is very rude, say hello, hello Rachel, come on, please!

Auburn took another mouthful of food but Freddy was still invading her space, which meant either leaving her food and stomping off, or replying, and she was starving so she actually spoke.

Hello Rachel, please sit, thank you, I am eating, she said in a monosyllabic tone without looking up at her, she hated looking into another’s eyes, it was just too much, too personal. Stella was always trying to get her to look directly at whoever was speaking, but in truth Auburn really didn’t understand the reason for that. You heard with your ears, not your eyes, it was so obvious!

Rachel sat down at the head of the table facing her, while Freddy fetched a clean plate from the cupboard.

There’s plenty, we’ve ordered far too much, have some Rach babe, help us out!

The three tucked in together and silence followed. Rachel was a pretty, twenty two year old in her second year at University. She was tall and thin of frame, with long dark brown shiny hair, which tumbled down her head and spilled over her fine shoulders. In many ways similar to Auburn who was only a year older, except her hair was auburn coloured. In contrast Rachel’s was neatly brushed and was straight while Auburn’s naturally turned into ringlets.

At length as they settled down Rachel decided it was time to explain why she was here.

It’s Peter I really came about; wow this is delicious this curry especially, what is it? She asked pointing with her spoon at one of the many curry dishes almost covering the table. Freddy had ordered far too many different dishes but it was his and Auburn’s first night’s celebration.

Freddy was about to say he was not sure now which curry was which, when Auburn calmly interrupted.

It’s Beef Granny, she said taking another large mouthful and attempting to continue speaking. It’s a special Bangladeshi dish, you know, from a secret recipe only known to the chef so we gather.

Rachel smiled warmly in her direction. It’s fab, really full of flavour, and I love chunks of meat, thank you Auburn, you know your curries!

No, I read the menus, I remember things it’s what I do.

Anyway, Freddy said cutting in quickly. You were saying Rach, about Pete.

Oh yeah, Rachel said turning her attention back to him. Well his dad is sick again, very sick, the cancer’s back I’m afraid, she paused, blinking hard. He’s only got weeks. Oh it’s so sad, she sniffed loudly. I just don’t know what to say to him, and you were close for a time, so I thought... She stopped and pulled a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose.

We had a couple of nights fumbling together, if that’s what you mean? He said giving a short laugh. Yeah, I’ll go see him tomorrow see what’s what, poor Pete that’s real tough on him.

Tom Phipps was out with his rich lady-friend Natalie having another free meal at an expensive restaurant of his choice, when his mobile rang.

It was Peter, Hey Tom, I’m, I’m not interrupting am I?

Hey no way, Tom replied getting up from the table. Hang on a minute will you? He said glancing over at his female companion. Got to take this Natalie, better go outside!

That’s better, reception was crap inside. He said to Peter. What is it, how’s it going matey?

Dad died a few days ago and the funeral is day after tomorrow, can you come, please, I need you. You can stay with us, mum says, oh please Tom, please?

Tom hadn’t yet paid this month’s rent, and had already had to dodge his landlord, so he readily accepted. Funerals, like weddings, were a good place to pick up rich needy women, and a change of scenery would do him the power of good.

Chapter Two

There were three libraries in Bournemouth and yesterday Freddy had rung all three to ascertain, and if need be to beg, in the hope that one of them had a job vacancy. He had been in luck and the library in question, also happened to be the closest to the flat.

The next morning Freddy, holding tightly onto Auburn’s hand, led her along the main road and at length turned off it onto another road and then into a small square. On the opposite side of the square from them was an imposing building. The outside of the library was old, solid and worn, with stone pillars, built in a time when labour was cheap, and benefactors a plenty. However once through the main door and one found one’s self firmly in the twenty first century.

Auburn frowned and glanced up, a smile slowly lighting up her face as she read the enormous sign stating this was the entrance to ‘Bournemouth Town West Library.’

Are we going inside, oh please lets, she eagerly said, I adore libraries you know!

Freddy grinned at her and pulled on her hand. Obediently she followed where he led, she trusted him, and she loved the peace and quiet of libraries. She had worked before in a library, and with her analytical mind, cataloguing of books and all computer work were so easy. In the library where she was previously, she had memorised where every book was located; her photographic memory becoming invaluable; unfortunately, the post there had only been temporary, and since then, just over a year ago, she had failed to obtain another job, or even an interview.

People were cruel and normally five minutes with her was the extent prospective employers gave her, failing to see beyond her presence, at the possibilities someone with her actual intelligence posed. Today the gods were to shine down on her.

The Library Manager, a serious young man called Oliver Gregson, with short swept back dark hair and thick black framed glasses had a younger brother who was mildly autistic, so he welcomed them in.

Come in. come on in, take a chair please, he said with a wave of his large hands as he retreated to his side of an enormous and solid oak desk, a relic of a bygone age, but still extremely functional if somewhat out of place in such a modern interior.

Hello Auburn, may I call you Auburn, do you mind? He asked softly, looking directly at her and smiling kindly. She kept her head bowed, seemingly examining the wooden floor, but actually responded, quite surprising Freddy. My full name is actually Jennifer Auburn Grimley, but yes Auburn you may, she replied deliberately before suddenly saying in a rush. I am very good with computers, and software, especially cataloguing, and by tomorrow I could tell you where each book is, if you wish me to study them tonight that is! she stopped, took a couple of deep breaths, her eyes still averted, searching the wooden floor as if she had dropped something.

No, no, not tonight. Your Freddy has told me all about you and the wonderful job you did for the Brighton library. So Auburn how about this coming Monday? He replied stifling a laugh, but he meant no harm.

Auburn glanced up, saw he was smiling and not teasing her, before quickly averting her gaze as their eyes met. He was very nice she thought, before giving a slight snigger. She had been informed by someone, that men hated to be called ‘nice.’ That was what you said when you wanted to get rid of a man. She would have to ask her sister to clarify this, people were so complicated, and the way some of them used the English language was beyond her. People would say one thing but mean something else, give her a computer and her music any day, people really were so confusing and annoying.

Oliver Gregson was still talking. Yes we could certainly use your talents, say twice a week to start with, how would that grab you Auburn? He asked, carefully annunciating each word like an old English schoolteacher.

Does it have to grab me?

That would be fantastic! Freddy confirmed. Thank you, thank you, you won’t be disappointed, she’s fantastic really.

Yes actually I am, Auburn agreed, getting up and suddenly walking over to the office door ready to leave.

Freddy shook Oliver Gregson’s hand warmly and promised he would be along with her on Monday, and would sign all the relevant paperwork then.

Auburn hesitated at the door and actually turned to glance back. Thank you Mr Gregson, you are extremely perceptive and very nice too.

Oliver Gregson watched them leave, a small grin crept over his face, Very nice, thank you Auburn. She was ‘very nice’ too he thought.

Peter smiled as he warmly hugged Tom Phipps. Mother, this is Tom, he said proudly.

Tom disentangled himself and hurriedly went to shake her hand, I’m so sorry, Mrs Chandler, he was a good friend to me you know.

Yes, he often spoke fondly about you, I’m sorry we never met in happier times. Please do call me Alice, come let me first show you your room.

I’ll do that mum, Peter gushed, pushing past her and running up the broad staircase ahead of her.

Tom shrugged his shoulders, as if apologising to Alice and followed him up the stairs, while she returned to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

Peter abruptly stopped outside the second door on the right. As he excitedly opened the bedroom door and stood aside for Tom to enter, he whispered. This is your room, its next to mine by the way, in case you feel lonely, you know!

Tom walked in. Nice! he whistled looking about him, and genuinely meant it. Not only a king sized bed to stretch out on, but also a king sized room. It was some bedroom, probably the whole of his flat could fit comfortably into it, and the icing on the cake was it came with its own en suite bathroom.

There was no shortage of money in this family as he had already figured out. He reckoned if he played his cards right there was something in it for him, he was sure of that.

Peter had followed him into the bedroom. Do you want to try out the bed, see if it’s big enough? He said giggling like a little schoolgirl.

Come on you, that’s enough smut, I’m parched... come on, out, out, let’s go down, your mum’s waiting!

Peter giggled, Spoilsport, I can wait.

The following day, the day before the funeral, there was nothing more she could do so Alice asked Tom if she could impose on him.

I need to just get out, a long walk in the woods, would you come with me; we can talk?

She turned to her son. Could you stay here, there’ll be a few deliveries and such like; I just need to get out Peter dear, need some fresh air.

Tom was delighted to have been asked, Peter was not.

Alice drove to Ockham common, a favourite for dog walkers, children and even horses, some ten minutes away just off the busy A3, and parked in the large car park. They walked for a couple of hours through the woods and along the sandy tracks, twice having to avoid a posse of horse riders out for a fast hack. Alice did all the talking, just unburdening herself, and Tom allowed her. It was easy to pretend to care.

In fact, he did listen to some of it, and amongst other things learned she was over twenty years younger than Alan, and had originally been his secretary before falling for him, then falling pregnant, with Peter being the outcome. Alan had been a widower at the time and had readily married her. Being surprisingly candid, she sadly did have to admit to Tom, almost guiltily, that they had become just good friends for the last few years, but nevertheless their marriage was strong, and she had always loved him. Now without him she felt so very alone. Tom did his strong and silent routine, although actually he was thinking, planning, what he could get out of this visit.

The funeral was well attended, and passed without incident, but Tom instead of staying on made a feeble excuse and readily left that night having had enough of being solemn and good; even the thought of some easy pickings had faded, he desperately needed some fun.

Alice was so sweet and nice and yet so boring, like a half-chewed toffee, he decided grimacing. She dropped him at the local train station and he promised to ring her soon, but had little intention in truth of doing so, he wasn’t that desperate at the moment. He would see what other opportunities presented themselves, before perhaps revisiting her, she was not going anywhere.

The following week, he actually received payment for a job he had done the previous month. Although it was a paltry £700 for a whole month’s hard work, he decided it was cause for celebration, when he sadly bumped into his landlord. Divested of all but £50, he decided after all to ring Alice; nothing else had presented itself to date, so he used that money to buy a train ticket back to Weybridge in Surrey, where she lived.

Alice had been delighted to hear from him, readily admitting she was having a few problems understanding all of Alan’s shares and other financial matters. Tom announced that he was a bit of a financial expert, so would be happy to assist.

The next day he arrived at Weybridge station at 4.30 in the afternoon with his extra-large holdall filled to capacity, prepared for a long stay.

It only took him a day or two to realise just how wealthy she was to become, and having no reason to return to Bournemouth, he poured on the charm and willingly offered her his help. She in turn did her bit by asking him to stay on, and after a brief calculated pause, he readily accepted her invitation.

Back in Bournemouth, Peter and Rachel who shared the flat above Freddy’s, and were both at the same university, frequently dropped in to see him and share a takeaway curry, their staple diet. This evening Auburn joined the three for supper in his kitchen cum breakfast room, but stayed slightly apart from them at the other end of the table, keeping her head bowed, although she carefully took in their whole conversation. Two things she loved were eaves dropping, and rummaging through other people’s things. Stella was always reprimanding her as to how rude that was, but she used to say in her defence it was the only way someone with her condition could really get to know who people were. It was so difficult for her to understand others, so she insisted, and Stella normally gave in, realising she would never convince her otherwise. She reckoned rather unkindly that a donkey was less stubborn that her Auburn, and being autistic was sometimes, just sometimes, a convenient excuse, but perhaps she was doing her a disservice, it was so difficult to tell what she must have to endure on a daily basis.

One such conversation that evening had Auburn intrigued. Peter was moaning on about his friend Tom staying with his mother.

Auburn just couldn’t help bleating out, Are you one of them like Freddy? He gets all bitchy too if he is being ignored; you’re both just like little girls! She tittered.

Freddy was about to rebuke her when Peter cut in, Hey it’s probably true, he said giving a short laugh. I am probably just jealous; hey you’re very astute Auburn!

Yes I am aren’t I! she responded grinning madly now and rocking back and forth in her chair. Then suddenly she stopped, pushed back her chair noisily and stood up, before promptly plopping down onto the wooden floor, with her legs crossed. She sat there before saying to the others, Go on, go on, whose next? I can still hear down here but it’s so comfortable sitting on the floor, chairs are so restricting.

Peter and Rachel exchanged a quick glance while Freddy just shrugged and smiled, he was used to the ways of his cousin.

More chat continued, this time with Auburn keeping herself in the conversation, even though the others were still at the table while she remained beneath it. Suddenly she tired of all this talk and withdrawing into herself, she commenced to hum an unrecognisable tune, quite happy in herself, the others for now forgotten.

They on the other hand continued talking, their voices rising with laughing and gossip, before all of a sudden Auburn stood up, giving all of them a start and stopping conversation dead, and headed for the door. She paused in the doorway but without turning around uttered, Goodnight and thank you all I enjoyed all that!

Peter and Rachel couldn’t help sniggering before bursting into laughter.

Freddy just smiled. I love her, she’s got such character, he said, and Rachel and Peter had to agree.

Auburn walked down the short hallway and straight into her bedroom and gently shut the door behind her. The first thing she did was grab her laptop off a side table and jumping onto her bed, sat cross-legged again, balanced the laptop across her knees and switched it on. This was her best friend; she could and often did spend all night on it in her virtual world, a world she understood. Through the net she had befriend a few IT geeks, these were her idea of real friends. It was easy for her to talk to them via email, but she avoided Skype that was too personal. Emails also afforded some measure of privacy and the necessary time element allowing her to write exactly what she wanted to say, without pause or embarrassment.

Freddy decided with her gone, this might be the optimum time to explain about her idiosyncrasies to the other two. That done Freddy announced loudly, It’s far too early for bed so how about we go to a club! Oh come on, yeah, yeah?

Peter stood up. Yeah a few shots, a little boogie, sounds good to me, let’s do it.

He looked over at Rachel. What you reckon, you ready to party Rach babe?

She nodded back enthusiastically. Who needs sleep anyway!

Sleeps overrated! Peter giggled back, let’s go to the Blue Lamp, they have a band every Thursday night. You can’t beat live music!

He suddenly frowned, it is Thursday, isn’t it?

The club as usual was full of loud and happy souls desperate to drink themselves into oblivion and to hell with tomorrow. The club was not exclusively gay, but the majority were definitely of that persuasion, and they knew how to have fun. That night’s band had done their set and gone by the time they had arrived, so the three took to the packed floor and soon managed to create their own little space as they leapt about uncontrollably. After about half an hour Rachel was the first to retire and seek further refreshment, happily leaving the boys to continue gyrating and leaping about together.

After finally being served up at the bar, she sat down to watch the happy chaos around her. Watching Freddy she did have to admit he was incredibly good looking, and what a shame he preferred men did cross her mind.

Strike one for the boys, she moaned softly.

Peter went home to his Mother’s the following evening, Friday. He was still hung-over from last night’s excesses, but it had been worth every penny of it, he’d needed to let his hair down.

Alice was off out shopping first thing on the Saturday, leaving Tom and her son still in their respective beds fast asleep. But no sooner had she shut the front door when Peter suddenly wide awake crept into the guest room, and got into bed with Tom.

After they had pleased each other, Peter suddenly sat up in bed and glanced across at Tom, the smile fading on his face as he glared at him.

And what are you doing here with my mum? He abruptly demanded. "My mum for goodness sakes Tom! Well,