Sapphire's Inspector

By Julie Ludbey

Sapphire left an abusive home life in her small seaside town, looking for a better life in the big city.
But straight away, she was off to a bad start. Things only got worse; within the first few months, she was interrogated by police on three separate occasions. Sapphire was finding it hard to hide all her secrets from the inspector that she had become so fond of. Things become heated up, and after six months of life in the city, Sapphire's journey takes her right back to where she started fromin a small country town, living with the same old abuse.
Will she ever be able to escape that lifestyle? Is this forever? Will death be the only way out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Oct 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499026511

Julie Ludbey

I, Julie Ludbey, was born on 12.10.1968 in Queenstown, Tasmania, where I lived for twenty-five years. I had my first son at age eighteen, then a daughter and another son. In primary school I began to write short stories, poems and songs. My teacher put music to one of my songs and published it in our local primary school newspaper. I continued writing in high school and began writing novels when I became a stay at home mum. I have written many romance novels and hundreds of poems. I still live in Tasmania and still continue to write.

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Sapphire’s Inspector

Julie Ludbey

Copyright © 2014 by Julie Ludbey.

ISBN:          Softcover          978-1-4990-2650-4

                    eBook              978-1-4990-2651-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

WARNING

The contents in this book, contain detailed events of both physical and sexual abuse and may not be suitable for some readers.

DISCLAIMER

The thoughts and feelings in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect how other people in the same situations would feel. All characters, names and places in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Rev. date: 10/28/2014

Xlibris

1-800-455-039

www.Xlibris.com.au

677509

CONTENTS

Dedication

Epigraph

Chapter One Abandoned Car

Chapter Two Cuts and Bruises

Chapter Three Spilt Milk

Chapter Four Bad Dreams

Chapter Five The Poison

Chapter Six Old Hostel

Chapter Seven Under Arrest

Chapter Eight Witness Statement

Chapter Nine Taken into Custody

Chapter Ten Sea and Sand

Chapter Eleven Out of Control

Chapter Twelve Files are Confidential

Chapter Thirteen The Interrogation

Chapter Fourteen Group Therapy

Chapter Fifteen Truth Revealed

Chapter Sixteen Torn Apart

Chapter Seventeen Death is Calling

Chapter Eighteen Traumatized Body

Chapter Nineteen Questions and Answers

Chapter Twenty Forever and Always

Epilogue

Dedication

To my two best friends

Forever and Always

Bambi and Bear

You both make my life worth living.

I love you both with all my heart.

Thank you for all the support,

And love over the years.

COMMENTS

This book was written for myself, by myself,

Because everybody can be a somebody

We are all good at something.

Epigraph

"Childhood is just something

You spend the rest of your

Life trying to get over"

Scars remind us that the past is real

Chapter One

Abandoned Car

T he sounds of sirens behind us were loud as we raced along the highway with the police chasing us. I was slumped down in my seat and felt very frightened. We were going very fast, the music was blaring so loud and all I can think was we’re going to crash and die.

I tried to think of something else as my mind went back to the small seaside town that I had just left behind. I had been working in a café part time, trying to save money to move to a capital city in a different state to mine; but my pay was low and I’d had enough of my parent’s drunken arguments and my regular beatings.

So I’d made a drastic decision to get out while I could and head for the city. My thoughts soon snapped back to my current situation as I felt the car slide a bit going around a sharp corner. I glanced back to see the police car still speeding behind us.

We were coming into BayRise city and we weren’t slowing down, it was now dark I had no idea what time it was, all I knew is that we had been travelling for hours before we had reached the outskirts of town where the police had started to chase us, although the police car seem like it had dropped back a little now. We raced through the city, even running a few red lights, till finally we slowed down, up ahead was a traffic jam.

I began to ask the man about his spider, but he cut me off saying hold on as he suddenly pulled hard on the wheel and the car swerved tossing me against the door, he pulling the car up in a parking lot next to a huge picture theatre. Then without a word, he grabbed his bag from the back seat and fled into the night. Just like that he was gone.

I began to panic as I heard the police sirens getting closer, what would I say? What could I say? I looked around I was here in the big city, this is what I wanted, this was my chance at a normal life, if the police caught me they might send me back to Father and I didn’t fancy another beating. My mind was racing as I grabbed my bag from between my feet and ran…

I found myself inside the cinemas were I hid out in the toilets for half an hour or more, before mingling with a small group of people in the lobby. Now what? Here I was in the city like I had wanted yet it didn’t seem real, it was a Friday night and it was getting to late to look around for a place to sleep. I hadn’t realised it would take so long to drive to here and now I had nowhere to stay, nowhere to go, barely any money to do anything even if I could.

It was then that I noticed a slim girl with straight long black hair; she was sitting all alone, so I walked over and sat down on the couch next to her.

Hi. I smiled.

Hello, I guess you did not like the movie either? She replied with a smile.

Well I, umm no, not really. I stated.

I thought it might have been good, but then I should have guessed I would not have liked it since my sister chose it. she sighed.

Did you come here with her? I asked.

Yes I did, but of course Emily is still in the theatre and I still have to wait another half hour before our brother comes to pick us up.

Well I can keep you company if you like. I smiled warmly.

Sure, why not, my names Breeanna, what’s yours?

Sapphire. I replied.

We began chatting and I now let my eyes wander around the large foyer area, it was huge, bigger than my entire house. The carpets were red and the walls matched, not that you could see a lot of the paint since the walls were all covered with the latest posters advertising the movies now playing. There were seats all along two of the walls and lots of doors and stairs, and the ceiling was so high; I had never been inside such a huge building before.

So what happened to your face? Breeanna now asked.

My face? I looked puzzled.

The bruises; they don’t look very old.

Oh no, the bruises! I hadn’t given them a thought, it’s not like they’re anything unusual to me; and my friends rarely ever asked me what they were from anymore. I guess my whole home-town just thought I was clumsy.

Did you hurt yourself? Breeanna smiled sympathetically.

Do I tell yet another story? I wanted the city to be a new start, no more lies; but the truth would have far more consequences than a ‘story’ as I liked to call them. I took a breath and replied with a smile.

Yes, I fell down the back steps with a basket of washing, silly me! I’m just so clumsy, uncoordinated.

Wow you must of landed hard!

Yes on the concrete.

I was glad Breeanna changed the subject, we talked quite easily, and the next half hour went very quickly.

There you are. Emily growled as she approached us.

I stared at her as she spoke to her sister, she was about 5 foot and maybe ten inches tall or more. She had black wavy hair, her face was immaculate, she looked so pretty, her make up was applied softly and her features were attractive, her eyes were a deep blue and she had the same perfect proportion body as her sister and if it wasn’t for her hair being shoulder length and wavy then I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. Except maybe by their clothes—Breeanna seemed dressed neat and casual in her denim jeans and light blue v-neck jumper, whereas Emily was dressed up in a straight black knee length skirt with an extravagant soft yellow blouse and a black matching jacket in high heeled black shoes. Nothing like my worn out and faded blue jeans and my extremely casual grey top.

Anyway you should have known I would not like that movie. Breeanna was saying to her sister.

Hmm, fine, anyway who is your new friend? Emily replied.

Oh yes, this is Sapphire. Breeanna stated like the two girls had been in a world of their own and she now realised they were not alone.

Hello. I politely smiled.

She is new to the city. Breeanna added.

So what part of the city do you live in? Emily asked.

Actually I haven’t really got a place to live yet.

What? Well who are you staying with? Emily questioned.

Actually I don’t know anyone in the city.

You are crazy, why would you move to the city when you do not know anyone and have nowhere to live? Emily frowned.

It’s complicated. I stated.

By the look of your face I would say it is complicated. What happened to you?

I’m clumsy; I’m always having accidents, like tripping over and running into things. I’m sure I have two left feet. I half smiled.

Hey I know, Breeanna began, Why not stay with us for the night?

What Bree, do you think that is wise? Emily queried.

Sure why not? It is too late at night for Sapphire to find a place to stay.

This is just like you Bree; you are always bringing home stray pets and stray people.

Do not be so melodramatic Emm; Sapphire’s hardly a terrorist or something, besides she is only around our age. It will be fun.

Remember what happened when you brought that last cat home?

Well I am sure Sapphire is not going to rip our curtains and scratch the couch, so lighten up a bit sis.

I don’t want to put you both out. I squirmed nervously.

Both girls turned to look at me, as if they had again forgotten I was even there.

No it is fine, really, right Emm?

I suppose, you will anyway Bree.

Won’t your parents be mad if I stay?

Why would they be? Emily frowned.

Well, for not asking them first?

No they would not care, besides they have gone out for the entire night, our brother is looking after us. Breeanna replied.

Not that we need looking after, but mum worries about us. Emily added.

Yes she says two sixteen year olds girls, do not make one thirty-two year old adult. Breeanna giggled.

Well okay, if you’re sure it’s ok, I’ll stay.

Okay, great. Well let us go see if our brother is here to pick us up yet.

The three of us headed out to the car park where we saw two police cars parked close to the abandoned car that I had arrived in a bit over an hour ago. I felt a slight rush of panic but tried hard to hide it.

I wonder what is going on. Emily said.

Who knows? Breeanna replied.

I kept quiet as I followed the girls across the car park where we stopped next to a red Ferrari.

Wow what a beautiful car! I exclaimed

Breeanna opened the passenger side door Well hop in then.

What? Are you sure this is your brothers car?

Of course it is. Practically no one else owns a car like it. Emily frowned.

Are you rich or something? I blurted out.

No, but our parents are. Breeanna smiled.

Does money impress you? Emily questioned.

Emm! Sapphire just ignore her, come on climb in.

We climbed into the small back seat of the car and then Emily got into the front.

So where is your brother then?

Over there. Breeanna said pointing in the direction of all the police cars.

I looked at the police gathered around the abandoned car talking to a man wearing dark blue denim jeans and a chequered blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I watched the man in the jeans turned and headed our way; he had short black hair, flicked off his face. As he got closer I could tell his skin was tanned. He was slim but muscular and must have been at least six feet tall. He really was adorable and looked to be in his late twenties.

Hmm, sexy.

Hey that is my brother! Emily protested.

Oh, sorry. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

Forget Emm, you are not the first to say that, believe me.

I believe you. I whisper.

Hi Emm, Bree, who is your friend? The man said as he got into the car.

Sapphire, she only arrived in the city today, she has not got anywhere to stay, so I invited her to stay with us tonight.

That figures Bree. He smiled as he started the car and we began to move. He then asked me So how did you get here?

By bus. I simply stated.

What time? He replied.

Three or four p.m. I don’t own a watch.

So why would you go to the cinemas rather than find a place to stay?

There’s no picture theatre where I live, I guess I got over excited and wanted to go straight away.

Hmm, so I guess you have friends in the city somewhere, right?

Wrong actually.

What, a big city like this and you do not know anyone? What about relatives?

Nope.

So why did you move to the city?

What’s this? Twenty questions or something? Where’s your hat and badge? I mumbled.

I can soon get them. He replied.

What? You’re not a cop, I inhaled deeply. Are you?

Inspector Detective Bailey. He stated.

My mind was racing. Of all the people I could have met up with. I managed to find an Inspector of police. ‘Just great.’ I thought as I sat silently in the back seat.

Emily chatted constantly and I was glad the Inspector didn’t ask me anything else.

Well, here we are. The Inspector announced as he pulled the car into the driveway of a large modern two storey brick home. It looked so much nicer than my small weather board home near the sea.

We all got out and I followed Breeanna inside and up the stairs to a bedroom with two single black pipeline beds neatly made and an elegant black desk under the window.

Yours, mine. Breeanna pointed to each of the beds.

Won’t Emily mind if I take her bed?

No, she does not always sleep in here with me; she likes the double bed in the other room. Breeanna smiled warmly.

Well ok thanks. I too smile as I placed my backpack on the end of the single bed that Breeanna has pointed too.

We chatted for a little while then Breeanna said. Come on let us go downstairs to the kitchen; my brother always cooks supper for us.

I followed Breeanna down the stairs. I was glad she had mentioned food as I hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast. I was so hungry but then again that was a way to familiar feeling for me. When we entered the kitchen Emily and the Inspector where chatting away while he made what looked like a chocolate pudding cake.

Hi girls. He acknowledged us but continued what he was doing.

So what new DVD’s do you have? Emily asked before either of us could reply.

A few—go take a look.

Oh no Emm, you are not choosing one, not after the cinemas, it is my choice. Breeanna said as she followed her sister through to the lounge room, leaving me standing awkwardly in the kitchen.

I was a few meters away from the lounge door that was facing the u-shaped benches; where the Inspector stood, the stove was on one side and the fridge on the other, the sink was under the window at the top of the u-shape and at least two people could stand in the middle of the benches comfortably. Directly to the left of me was a beautiful wooden oval table with six matching chairs, unlike our small square laminated table with four worn out un-matching seats. In the space in front of me to the right was a cabinet and bar with two stools. Wow this Kitchen was huge; twice the size of the one at home!

Umm, need some help? I instinctively asked.

Not really, but if you like you can get the cream from the fridge, while I grab some bowls for us.

Sure. I smiled politely.

So where are your parents then?

Dead! I stated because to me they were. I had made the decision that the city was a complete new life and I wanted to leave the past behind.

What both?

Yes.

Surely you are a little young to be moving to the city by yourself?

No living relatives.

Now why do I find that hard to believe?

I don’t know. I mumbled.

There was a long silence as he stared at me, then it was broken by the alarm on the microwave. I silently watched the Inspector dish up four bowls.

Where are the spoons? I asked, but there was no answer, he looked deep in thought.

Inspector Bailey? I said a bit louder this time.

He turned to face me and smiled, You can call me Rick.

Okay Rick, where are your spoons?

In the top draw to the right of the sink.

I got the spoons and helped carry the bowls through to the lounge where the girls had set up the movie and were waiting on the couch to watch it.

Everyone ate their food, then sat their bowls on the coffee table and continued watching T.V. It made me feel a bit uneasy as I kept glancing at all the dirty bowls, at home Father would have had a fit if I hadn’t taken them straight to the kitchen sink the minute our food was finished.

I fidgeted with my fingers and picked at my nails as I alway did, while I tried to concentrate on the movie. By half way through I was up on my feet collecting all the bowls and now washing them up. As I began to wipe up Rick entered the kitchen.

You did not have to wash them.

I wanted too.

You looked hungry!

I guess I was.

There is plenty of food in the fridge, help yourself if you are still hungry.

Thanks. I smiled.

Rick stood looking at me for a little longer and I was sure he was going to ask more questions, but then he just smiled and returned to the lounge room.

I put away the now dry dishes then made myself a small snack, then when I’d finished I washed and dried my plate. Father always said there should be no dirty dishes left on the sink overnight.

I went back to the lounge in time to watch the end of the movie once it had finished I commented that I felt very tired. Breeanna suggested we got to bed and we could talk till we fell asleep. We said our goodnights and headed upstairs leaving Emily and Rick in the lounge.

So have you been to BayRise city before? Breeanna asked once we lay in bed with a little lamp on.

No, never.

Wow what a big move then!

Yeah I guess so.

Are you worried or nervous or something?

Oh, umm, yeah I guess so.

So you must have a plan? Or at least some idea what you are going to do now you are here in the city?

Well I umm, kinda I guess.

You do not sound too sure?

Well I moved here a bit sooner than I had originally planned.

Oh, why is that?

Things changed; I couldn’t stay where I was any longer. So what about you, have you always lived here in the city? I opted to change the subject and was glad it worked, Breeanna was happy to talk about her life and friends here in the city; it was late when we finally fell asleep.

Chapter Two

Cuts and Bruises

I woke up to an empty bedroom, Breeanna’s bed was neatly made and there was no sign of her. I didn’t bother to dress because I was hoping I could ask Breeanna to use the shower.

I stood at the top of the stairs and looked down but there were walls on both sides so I couldn’t see anything. When I got to the bottom I was standing in the lounge. The kitchen door was directly to my right and to my left was the soft velour lounge suite with two matching brown chairs. They were all in a semi circle facing a massive television that was half a dozen times bigger than Fathers television. In-between the T.V and lounge suite was a huge dark brown rug with the large coffee table sitting on it. Beyond that was the front door and the large window looking out over the front yard; it looked like it was a lovely day outside today.

Since the lounge was empty I entered the kitchen through the two half doors that looked like they belonged in a western bar in a movie. Rick was sitting at the table alone in the kitchen.

Where is everyone? I asked.

Rick glared at me for a moment, I noticed his eyes look me up and down then he frowned, perhaps I should of being wearing more than my short thin worn out nightie. I shuffled my feet now feeling awkward.

What do you mean everyone? Rick finally replied.

Well Breeanna, Emily and your parents? I mean they didn’t stay out all night did they? I mumbled.

Stay out? Rick laughed.

What’s so funny?

This is my house—my parents do not live here.

Oh I thought you were just babysitting your sisters?!

Well the twins pretty much take care of themselves, they are sixteen after all, but mum likes them to sleep here rather then stay home alone when they are both out of a night, which is not that often.

Oh, so where are they now?

They both had netball at 11am.

But it’s only 9am. I said looking at the clock above the table.

I guess they had to change clothes or something.

So is Bree coming back?

What is this twenty questions or something, where is your hat and badge? Rick smiles widely from the chair he was sitting in.

Could I borrow yours? I too smile.

Bree said she would come back after lunch to see you, help yourself to some breakfast.

So it’s only me and you here?

You and I, and not for long. Rick corrected.

Why?

You ask a lot of questions.

So do you. I smiled.

That is my job, what is your excuse?

I’m just making conversation, which was something I was used of doing at my café job, So are you expecting a visitor?

No, I have to go into work for a few hours. Rick stated.

Well I guess I’d better go dress and be on my way.

What is your hurry? I thought you had nowhere to go?

Well I’ll find somewhere then.

Look, I will not be at work long, and Bree is coming back to see you, so you can just stick around here and wait for us both if you like? Then we can chat and we might know of some jobs you could apply for and suitable places you could stay.

Well okay, that is if you’re really sure you want me hanging around your house while nobody is here.

Of course I am sure and there is not ‘nobody’ here if you are here. he smiled.

Oh umm, well I meant no one else.

I knew what you meant Sapphire, and really I want you to stay okay.

Umm okay. So is it all right if I use your shower? I asked.

Yes of course getting dressed might be a good idea, Rick frowned again then added The towels are upstairs in the hall way cupboard, I really have to go now, but I will see you in a few hours, okay? Bye.

Bye. I replied.

The house was so silent once I was alone, after breakfast I went for my shower. It was so relaxing as the warm water fell over my head. At home I had to be very quick, Father would say I was wasting all the hot water and he had to pay for it. Mind you, we didn’t always have hot water some months the electricity would be turned off since we didn’t have the money to buy pre-paid power. It was then that I hated showers; the cold water would almost take my breath away as I would gasp trying to tolerate it just so I could be clean. But not today, this shower was defiantly warm and cosy and I stayed in it for way longer than I needed to.

Once I dried myself I stood staring into the full length mirror in the bathroom. I didn’t like the reflection looking back at me, I had an extremely thin body from never having enough food to eat; my skin was pale and badly bruised. I was five foot eight inches tall, long and lanky as I’d been called a few times. My straight blond hair fell just below my shoulders, I considered myself quite plain although several people at the café had said I was pretty on a few occasions.

My bluey-grey eyes looked so dull as I glared at some of the faded scars, every part of my body had been covered with bruises or cuts at one time or another in my life. It somehow felt normal but I wondered how I would look without any. Maybe one day I would find out. I ran my finger across the longest scar on my stomach and sighed.

I now dressed in the only skirt I owed an old blue denim one and a white blouse, and then I decided to explore the house.

There were three large bedrooms upstairs I looked at all of them from their doorways; there was also the main bathroom that had a separate bath and shower unlike ours that was all in one, and the vanity unit was like a double one compared with our house.

Downstairs was the lounge, off that was a study which contained a large desk with a computer and a huge flat screen monitor. Opposite was a long bookshelf full of books, the walls were a bone colour the same as the lounge room.

There was a small passage way off the kitchen that led to a laundry room. I now found myself in that laundry, which also contained a room with another toilet and a small sink. I decided to do some washing; I placed some clothes into the automatic washing machine then read all the buttons before pressing one and hoping for the best. Our machine at home was a twin tub which of course involved a lot more work, but seemed less complicated to use.

‘Now what?’ I thought, maybe if I did some house work time would go faster, that always worked at home, ‘Yes that’s what I’ll do.’ So I cleaned the kitchen first, then I found the vacuum cleaner in the hall cupboard upstairs. After vacuuming both upstairs and downstairs I made both the double beds, the two singles were already neatly made.

It was around lunch time when I took the wet clothing outside and pegged them out, at home the sea breeze would have dried them quickly, but here there was only a slight breeze. I smiled at the large size backyard, definitely bigger than our small junked up yard. I was very impressed with the large oval inground swimming pool I now studied.

I wondered when Rick or Breeanna would be back as I knelt down to feel the water, it was loop warm, which would be lovely to swim in on such a hot day, but of course I didn’t have any swimmers. I wondered if anyone would notice me if I hoped in without any on, it would be just like a bath only bigger plus the fences all looked high, I couldn’t see over them… but no ‘I’d better not’ I concluded.

There you are. Came Rick’s voice from behind me. I stood up and turned to face him.

Just in time. I smiled.

Why? He looked puzzled.

Well I was just thinking about going naked in your pool. I joked.

It is called skinny dipping. He smiled.

Well it would have been embarrassing for you if you got a phone call at the police station to investigate a nudist at your own house. I smiled.

I would have thought it would be more embarrassing for you Sapphire. Rick Smiled. For a moment there was an awkward silence.

So how was work? I embarrassedly changed the subject.

Interesting. Rick stated as he sat on the near by outdoor setting, I sat opposite him asking So why do you only work a few hours and not all day like most people?

Normally I would not work on a Saturday at all, but I had to go in today about that stolen car dumped near the cinemas.

What about it? I asked with caution.

The man driving it robbed a store and shot the owner in the leg, he got away with quite a bit of money too.

Wow he shot someone, is the owner okay? I had no idea the man with the spider had shot someone! I wanted to say I was in the car, but I didn’t dare, after all shooting someone is a serious crime and they might thing I helped shoot the owner or worse.

Yes, he will be fine. Anyway we dusted the car for fingerprints so hopefully we will catch who ever did this.

Was it just one man in the car? I spoke softly, wondering if they knew there had been two people in the car as the police had chassed us.

We are not sure yet, the car owner said he has had lots of different people in the car, so that will make it hard to determine whose prints are whose.

When do you find out?

It is a slow process, anyway what is your interest in all of this?

I’ve just never met an Inspector of police before; I’m curious what you do!

Inspector of the detective division. I’m not an Inspector of all the police men and women. Rick smiled.

I sure am hungry. I stated hoping that would change the subject, I didn’t want to say too much or make him suspicious of me.

Okay, if that was a hint you are welcome to join me for lunch; I have not had anything to eat yet.

Great, but I’ll make it for us both, I’m assuming since you live here, then you’ll like all the food in the fridge and cupboards.

You do not have to go to any trouble.

It’s no trouble, I want too. I smiled.

Fifteen minutes later we were seated at the kitchen table eating a ham and salad sandwich.