Touched by Evil: A Story of Murder, Passion and Evil

By David E. Grant

John had no idea just what evil was to happen to his wife and to his life. The evening his wife asked him to meet with her girl friend, in a London Night Club that would completely change his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Aug 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669890096

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Copyright © 2023 by David E. Grant.

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.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 08/24/2023

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I had never thought of writing a book, until my dear wife

pushed me to do so. I was 82 years, the above is of me at that

tender age. My first published book ‘Once I was’, this was

my autobiography, I dedicated to my wife for the push.

I have been fortunate as I have always looked young for

my age. My second published book, I wrote and illustrated

when I was 85 years, a children’s book ‘SPOOKIE’. Now

at almost 88 years, this is my third book ‘Touched by Evil’.

For obvious reasons I will not dedicate this book to my wife,

although she tells me that she enjoyed reading it as I wrote.

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It was as if his mind was enveloped in a misty cloud, or that’s the way it seemed. It was strange as for all that had happened he was feeling relaxed. But what was it that had happened, it was strange for he was sure that he should have remembered. Now what was it he had been on his way to see his mother he recalled, but why? Why he couldn’t remember, ah yes he had argued with his wife. He loved her and always tried to please her even though sometimes it had appeared that her perception was a little incise when she was confronted with something she didn’t seem to get a grip on and her confusion which touched his sense of humor and he had always found difficult to hide his feelings which made her angry. This usually ended with him receiving a playful punch on his shoulder. He would pretend that it hurt which made him laugh even more.

So what had they argued about? No it wasn’t that serious he recalled it had started the evening before. She was the last to get ready and he had complained, why does it always take you so long, he said it with a little laughter, but his true feeling were frustration. He knew better than to show his true feeling so he softened his words with a little squeeze of her shoulders as he kissed her on the cheek. But that was last night and this was the morning after, so what on earth had happened? A dark memory crept back in his clouded mind. Which made him turn around and off back home. It was then another thought crossed his mind, why was he walking, why had he left his car for it was not as if his mother’s house was in that close proximity, so why no car. On his return home as he entered the driveway his car was not to be seen, puzzled he quickened his pace but on reaching the house there was no car and Linda his wife did not drive, so where was the car. His mind was racing ahead, he had driven with Linda to a London Hilton Club to meet friends, well friends he thought, to him they were just acquaintance as they were originally Linda’s friends well that is Jenny was and he wasn’t too keen on them anyway! To him they were a strange couple he always felt uncomfortable in their company on the few occasions they had met. Also Jenny was not backward in making suggestive overtures of a sexual nature to him, even sometimes in front of Jeffrey her husband. But then Jeffrey in turn was not backward in making it clear that he fancied Linda!

Yes he was uncomfortable and on one occasion he had a great problem in restraining himself punching that smug mouth of Jeffrey. He recalled he had been held back by his wife giving his arm a warning squeeze, so why in hells name was Linda still so keen on meeting them.

Yes they always seemed over the top smugly friendly, they were very comfortably off as Jeffrey took great pride in spouting off how much he had made from his latest Stock Market deals. All this entered his mind as he entered the house and called out Linda, where’s the car, but there was no answer from Linda. This was very unusual as she couldn’t drive she rarely left the house without him and all their shopping was delivered. It passed through his mind that he awoke that morning feeling as if he’d had too much to drink feeling a little one degree under from yesterday evening but he found that strange as he could only remember having two glasses of champagne.

Now had she told him she would be going somewhere this day and he had forgotten, for on occasions she told him that he had forgotten something she claimed she had said, I think you are going deaf she joked? He called again Linda, but again no answer. She must be in the garden so he opened the French windows after calling again he realized she wasn’t there. Puzzled he decided to have a drink, but then thought better of it and headed for the kitchen to pop the kettle on for a coffee that should clear my head he thought. After his coffee he took-off upstairs to take a shower. As he passed their bedroom he glanced in through a half open door and caught sight of their bed and the side on which Linda always lay. And the shape of the duvet told him that the lazy little monkey was still asleep. He gave a little subdued snigger, so maybe she was sleeping off the evening before. He laughed as he gently pulled back the duvet.

Oh my god he heard himself say in total shock, Jenny, Jenny, he said loudly as he shook her shoulder. Wake-up woman how did you get here, and more to the point what in hells name are you doing in my bed! There was no reaction, no answer. He was to receive another bone shaking shock, she was dead!

He stood-back in shock and looked in shear utter horror! This is not happening, am I going crazy? He moved slowly backwards as he sat on a chair set in the corner of the bedroom his mind buzzing as he stared in tunnel vision at the horror seen before him. He must have sat there in utter shock, he didn’t know how long, but it was getting dark.

Then he summed-up enough courage to walk to the bed to check the body, pulling back duvet he discovered she was naked. He turned her over to see if there was any sign as to what was the course of her untimely death. His mind was racing where on earth had-he slept surely not in the same bed?

On closer observation he could see no blood but there was a look of shock in her expression, a thought entered his troubled mind, had she been strangled, was he the guilty party who had done it, but then why would he do such a heinous deed. This thought sent a shudder down his spine, I must be going crazy how could I ever think such a thing why I hardly knew her, yes I know on occasions she had made clear that she fancied me but at no time had I ever thought of taking up her proposition. And anyway going by her relationship with her husband she probably gave the glad eye to a number of other men!

He returned and sat back in the chair, what to do, what to do? Getting his mind more focused, a thought entered his mind where was his wife Linda, this is most unusual, god I hope she is safe? Hell she must not return and find Jenny nude and dead in their bed! And the fact she was an attractive female acquaintance who had made overtures to me, no that’s too much, and how could he possibly explain it away and would she believe him.

Oh grief what must I do? I could bury her somewhere discreet, but now you idiot you would need your car to take her there. What to do, It’s dark I could bury her in the back garden, But what if Linda returned and caught me in the act that would make me appear guilty, no that’s no good, I will have to wait until Linda returns home, but where in heavens name is she?

He went down stairs to the lounge a poured himself a stiff drink, followed by another. It was as he sat there contemplating as he downed his second glass, he was startled by the front doorbell ringing that made his heart race ten to the dozen and a cold shiver of panic enveloped him. Sit there completely still and hope they will go away. As he sat there the bell rang again, followed a loud banging on the door, he sat in shier shock and then a thought came his mind, what if it’s Linda and she’s been in some sort of trouble. But then she would have her key and also she would never bang on the door so forcefully.

That was it he had to go to the door, as he stood there was a loud banging once again. Who’s there, who’s there, he said, trying to sound normal. It’s the police came the answer, that almost made him collapse into a heap. Who, he said trying to sound calm, it’s the police came the answer again. How do I know you are the police come around to the side window and let me see you and show proof. There was a disgruntled sound as three figures appeared, two in police uniforms and one in normal clothes. He had to open the door he had no choice, but on the other hand what if something has happened to Linda?

He opened the door trying to appear clam, yes officers what can I do for you, what is this all about? The three police men looked puzzled. Are you the mister John Burns who gave us a call about an hour ago? Yes and no he replied, that is I’m John Burns but I haven’t made a call about anything. The three figures stared at one another as if a little puzzled. You didn’t call to say that you had found a body on your premises. He looked genuinely shocked as he answered questioning, in a shocked tone, body? Yes sir body, you sounded very shocked, I sounded shocked, did it sound like me, or is someone playing some kind of a sick joke. The plain cloths policeman in turn looked puzzled and asked, sick joke, do you know anyone who would want to play a sick joke on you? I cannot at this moment in time think of anyone, officer no! Appearing rather confused and somewhat disgruntled, the officer replied, strange, strange we are most sorry sir, but I think you will understand that we get many strange calls from time to time which we are committed to follow-up. We will keep in touch just in-case some idiot has a grudge against you, good night sir.

Very shaken he waited until they were almost out of sight before he closed the door. He wandered back into the house with his heart ponding he headed back into the lounge to pour himself another strong drink and sat on the big sofa staring blankly at the opposite wall. His mind was buzzing with tangled thoughts. Who had taken the trouble put the body into his house after committing this evil crime, and in his bed! Some bastard was trying to set him up, but why? And where was Linda his wife and why was she missing, and the fact that she was Jenny’s friend had that anything to do with this terrible crime, and was she in terrible danger and in the hands of some mad psychopath? He downed his drink without realizing what he was doing. That was the last memory he had before being awoken suddenly by a loud banging on the front door. He sensed, he realized that someone had tried to get his attention by ringing the bell but he had fallen asleep on the sofa. Shaking his head in his drowse sate he heard a man’s loud voice shouting open this bloody door or we’ll break it down. It was a voice that he well knew from the day before, the plane close police officer!

With his heart in his mouth he slowly opened the door which was aided by a strong push from the other side. Half awake and somewhat bleary eyed he gave a little chough to clear his voice before asking, what is wrong officer why have you called so early? He was answered by a gruff reply, Mister Burns we have reason to believe you have committed, we have a strong belief that you have committed a crime and I have a Search Warrant giving me the authority to search your premises! John could almost feel the blood drain from his face and he found great difficulty to hold his posture and not collapse to the floor. The plane close officer almost pushed him out of the way, followed by two uniformed policeman and they proceeded into his house. He well knew what the outcome would be, so shaking and now starkly awake he sat back on the sofa and took a quick glimpse at the remaining policeman standing by the lounge door and waited to be arrested for a crime he hadn’t done! He heard the plane-close officer and the remaining policeman thumping up the stairs and their loud footsteps on the landing and from there into his bedroom.

All was silent for a moment followed by the sound of movement again as they searched the remaining bedrooms and the toilet and shower room. Then the footsteps move across the landing onto the stairs. At that point the remaining guarding policeman relaxed his stance as the other officers entered the lounge. He then waited for the official words. Mister John Burns I am arresting you on the suspicion of the crime of murder! At which point a policeman grabbed him by his arms up into a standing position and handcuffs where place around his wrists. He was then given the official question, you have the right to give a statement but anything you say could be given in evidence in court, John then stated Not Guilty! As they escorted him out to the waiting police car, with all of his problem a thought crossed his mind, he was happy that it was early on a Saturday morning and there was not a lot of neighbors around!

As they arrived at the Police Station his mind was blank after which a feeling came over him, this was not real and he would wake-up at any moment. Needless to say, that was not the case as he was pulled to a desk where he was asked to confirm his name and his finger prints were taken. But his mind was in a dream as he thought nothing except he wondered just where his wife was and was she still alive considering what had happened to her friend Jenny!

Still handcuffed and after he was asked if he wished to make a statement, he replied once again ‘Not Guilty’ and he was escorted to a cell and his cuffs were removed. It was at that moment as he sat alone with confused thoughts running through his mind, a policeman entered the cell and almost kindly asked if he would like a cup of tea, and had he had any breakfast. He looked up at the policeman standing there and he began to cry. As he sobbed, he felt his hot tears run down his cheeks and drip off his chin and his body vibrated with each sob. The policeman who’s kindness which had broken in to his inner most utter degradation, stated Ok I’ll come back the a cup of tea, which was no consolation.

After the policeman’s departure he pulled himself together somewhat, and felt a little sense of shame for having cried although for the returning police man he detected no sense of humiliation if anything he felt an air of compassion as he handed him a mug of hot tea. He was grateful for the comfort of the hot tea which struck him as an act of kindness and which the warm tea added too. After which as he was totally exhausted and in spite of terrible predicament he fell asleep.

He had slept soundly until late evening to be awoken by the same policeman aright mate I’m just going off duty are you hungry will you have a bacon sandwich, to which John looked-up and with a weak smile nodded and thanked him. About half an hour passed and a bacon sandwich arrive with another mug of tea. John thanked him and received the reply of hope you’re not hungry cos that’s the last you’ll get until morning.

He slept but awake half-awake with troubled dreams of his wife Linda, she was in hospital somewhere and was unable to contact him. Or he found himself wrestling a knife out of the hand of some psychopath who was threatening to cut Lina’s throat. He awoke being shaken by the shoulder and informed that a police inspector would be arriving to ask him some questions and would he like a mug of tea before his arrival, John thanked him and he departed. John reflected that in the whole of his life he had never broken the law or had any confrontation with the police!

I could answer that’s what they all say replied the Inspector but I will not until you have a specialist in law a solicitor then I can get down to brass tacks and ask all the questions I need to ask. John was in two minds as to allowing the inspector to continue questioning him without a solicitor present, after all he knew that he was not guilty so what had he got to hide. But then he thought better of it for had recalled in a television court case, trials where some clever-boy lawyer had thrown some questions at an accused person which could have a double meaning and should he answer wrong, too bad as it was all to be recorded. Also he well knew the type of question that could be asked of him, such as if you are not guilty then how and when did that woman’s body get into your bed? And he knew that he could give no plausible answer for he was just as mystified!

No Johnnie boy now is not the time to be a cleaver-boy you could...

The tea arrived shortly after which a Police Inspector arrived with a uniform policeman and another man which he took to be a plane-close detective. Once again he was asked to confirm his name and had he a Solicitor. And that any question put to him he had the right to have a solicitor present. John replied that he didn’t have a solicitor only the one he used when buying his house. He was asked did the solicitor deal in criminal law. Criminal Law the word struck home deep, criminal, no I wouldn’t know if he dealt with criminal law and then protested that he was not, not a criminal and that he had never end-up in trouble with the police. For this situation could turn into a long jail sentence and when questioned how would you appear to a jury, a cold shiver ran down his spine as the thought crossed his mind. The inspector spoke next with a jolt that brought him back to the stark reality. Well what’s your decision with or without a solicitor? With, was John’s reply definitely with! Right continued the Inspector, since you do not have a solicitor you will be provided with a list from which you will make a choice. At which he continued, you will be return to your cell as it is almost lunch time after you will be given the list and he was marched off to the cell.

His mind was full of negative thoughts as the voice in his head said, dear God if I get out of this I will never forget. But dear God where is my dear wife Linda? Please God keep her safe. He then philosophized that isn’t it strange how we call-out to a God when we are in dire trouble!

Maybe I should have paid more attention to God in my life all these years. Thoughts stopped and he was pleased to see that his lunch had arrived. He gave a little inward chuckle as he realized that lunch was now more important than thoughts of God!

But a thought suddenly entered his mind and he lost his appetite and he returned to God. Linda, God where is my dear Linda, where is she and what is happening to her at this moment. God if you really exist and you can hear me please, please God almighty please keep her safe and bring her back. Then his pained jumbled mind begged again, God please help her to return to me safe and unharmed. Please God hear me if you return her to me I will believe truly in you, command of me what you will if you truly exist, and tears began to well-up in his eyes again.

He was brought back to his lonely plight once again. It was the original copper standing over him who had who had brought his first mug of tea the day before. He was obviously on duty again and he had arrived bless him with another mug of tea. Brought back to what was happening now, he looked up at a human being with a kindly expression who noticed John was quietly crying. Come-on mate I know the foods not-up to restaurant standard but I’ve never seen anyone cry over it before. His friendly tone touched John’s deeper sense of humor and John began to laugh and to cry at the same time. The policeman realized that he was openly showing sympathy and he pulled himself back to his copper stance, I’ll leave your tea here and turn and departed.

John was in deep thought as he push the food around the plate and very little entered his mouth, and he settled on his mug of tea. The tea was comforting and he sniffed back a tear, as a little smile came to his face and he reflected on the coppers words ‘come on mate I know the foods not that good but I’ve never seen anyone cry over it’ And in spite of his dire predicament John found himself quietly laughing.

Sometime past and he was awoken from lonely troubled thoughts. It was a woman who spoke. John Burns, are you mister John Burns?

Startled he looked up to see a well-dressed and quite attractive female, in her forties, he thought. John pulled himself together and answered yes, with a questioning look. I am the solicitor who has been commissioned in your defense, my name is Miss Dawn Flanders she informed him. Are you happy with that, if so can we proceed. Proceed said John, proceed he repeated, as he gave a little nervous cough, yes by all means, what can I tell you?

Good, she replied.

John, why are you here? John answered, haven’t they told you, yes she replied but I want to hear it from you. John began his story from the very beginning from the point when his mind was in a state of confusion as he thought he was heading to his mother’s house and he wondered why if he was going to see his mother why was he not in his car driving there as she live some distance away and too far to walk there. He then began to tell her where he and his wife Linder had spent the evening and who they had spent the evening with, and their name and that they were husband and wife. And the wife Jenny was a friend of his wife Linda and that as far as he was concerned he personally had no close friendship with ether Jenny or her husband. This was of course before all these terrible, terrible confusing happenings in which he now found himself.

He continued that on reflection while he had been in here in custody, he had come to the conclusion that on that evening the two glasses of champagne he drank had been spiked, which had led to the fact that his mind had been in total confusion. I see said his solicitor, now should you make a plea of confusion a judge might come to the conclusion that you were trying to give this as a reason why you couldn’t remember killing Jenny. Killing Jenny, he almost screamed, why would I have murdered her I had no reason, I hardly knew her, and leaving that aside it is not, categorically not in my nature to feel a need murder any one I do not have a hateful vengeance in my nature! I’m sure you haven’t his solicitor replied, but how do you answer the fact that she was found in your bed? In hells name I have no answer to that, do I appear like some secret sexual, evil psychopath!

Now, now calm down said the solicitor, I don’t believe you are, she said, as she reassuringly quickly gave his arm a little squeeze and then drew back her hand quickly as she realized she had become too physically involved. You see I have to cover every aspect of your case should you go to court, as a judge will want to cover all the ups and downs of your case. And that of course would go for the Crown Prosecution and they also will delve very deeply and try to discover any reason you would have to murder Jenny! Oh my God, John exclaimed almost on the verge of despair, what have I done to deserve this confusion I’m being accused of murdering a girl I hardly knew, I’ve lost my car and my dear wife Linda what has happened to her. Yes my dear chap, she said in a warm tone but I can tell you one thing, the police have informed me that they have found your car. Who had it he asked. No one she replied, they found it parked in an adjoining street close to your house. I see he replied and my wife he said as he stood in questioning anticipation?

No I’m sorry she replied we had no clue as to the whereabouts of your wife. As he sat again she continued, there is a further question that the police will be asking, she stopped talking for a moment, as she studied his face for his expression to the coming information. In your car the police recovered a leather suitcase, and the case was full of female clothing neatly packed also with make-up, a cheque book and cash set into a side pocket, along with a Passport which displayed a photograph of Jenny! John sat there dumfounded, then exclaimed, in my car, as he searched her face?

Of course the police are going to want to know why were Jenny’s belongings placed in your car and were you a where that they were there? John leaned forward with his face cupped in his hands in total confusion. Why, is this happening to me, he thought, I hardly knew the girl and as things stand they are going to believe I was in a relationship with her, a secret affaire! He looked at her in sheer desperation and questioned, the police are going to put two and two together and come-up with five is that thier conclusion? Yes John she replied the plot is thickening as far as they are concerned. As far as they are concerned he almost shouted, as far as they are concerned, bloody hell what about as far as I’m concerned!

At that moment a police man entered informing them that the inspector who was in-charge is now waiting to interview your client please follow me. John and his solicitor took to their feet and followed the office down a corridor John remember when he arrived to be taken to the cell. They stopped at a door marked Interview Room no unauthorized persons aloud, and the officer ushered them in to be met by the inspector and another two people he took to be police officers. Please take a seat Miss Flanders he say gesturing to a chair with a cushioned back support as a the police officer who had delivered them to the room place a chair without a cushioned behind John stating bluntly sit as he pushed the chair forward behind John’s knees and he automatically sat in the chair.

The inspector addressed Miss Flanders asking if she had enough time with her interview with John before the meeting with the inspector. She gave an uncertain nod and the inspector continued by addressing his comments to John addressing John by his full name as a question to which John confirmed that he was that person. Mister Burns he continued, my first question is, why when you discovered as you claim that you discovered a corps in your bed, why did you not call the police immediately? John replied slowly with a few gaps in his statement. I was confused and afraid he said, because I was trying to make some, some sense of the situation I had suddenly found myself in. I was afraid that I would be accused of murdering her because of the circumstances in which I found her would I be believed? Why, would your explanation not be excepted if you were innocent as to the course of her death, the inspector questioned? John continued it was the fact that I knew who she was and we had shared an evening socializing together with my wife and her husband the previous evening and then she was dead in my bed. I have to admit that if this was not about me, John continued, and some other innocent person was trying to convince me that he was innocent, and I knew all of the facts as they are presented, I would find it extremely hard to believe him!

He turned to look at his solicitor for confirmation, to see if was she was happy with his analogy. Her reshoring smile gave him a feeling of confidence to carry on, as he again returned to looked back at the interrogating inspector. The inspector in turn glanced sideways at one of the other officers, and John thought that he caught sight of a slight expression of a smile as to the relevance John’s reasoning, and an answer he had not expected. I see said the inspector, so tell me just what were your intentions with regard the body? John answered truthfully, my mind was in a state of total confusion and panic as the whole situation in which I found myself was like a bad dream, unreel at first I was going crazy, I had a totally illogical thought as I was contemplating burying her body in my back garden. But then a thought came to me, that was what if my wife returned while I was carrying out the burial what would she think and how could I explain myself? I see said the inspector, then how do you explain the fact that a suitcase containing her clothing etcetera was discovered in your car. I haven’t got a clue John replied, but then my car had vanished so that I had completely no control as to what the perpetrator might have left in the car!

I see repeated the inspector, what if I should speculate that you had arrived home, totally blind drunk with Misses Jenny ah what did you say her name was? I didn’t replied John, I guess my dear wife would know, but I only knew her as Jenny, and likewise with her husband, just Jeffrey but no surname! It was at that moment he caught sight of a further person, a female stenographer who was quietly making a record of all that had been said.

Now tell me said the inspector, when you decided to dig a hole and deposit the corps in it had you. He got that far with his question before the solicitor pull him-up. I have to point out inspector that John at no time said that he had a firm intention of digging a hole he said in his mental state that he was not thinking clearly. His, honest statement was that he had a totally illogical thought and in a state of panic he had contemplated burying her in the back garden! This tended to irritate the inspector as the irregularity of his statement had pointed out a loophole allowing the record to categorically claim that John had said that he was going to bury the corps. And she pointed out the slant and the gravity of this statement, if read out in a court hearing could jeopardize his chances in the court. I apologies said the inspector, but we do seem to be splitting hairs! I’m sorry you see it that way inspector but little indiscretions have had a man hung in the past. The inspector interjected with a light hearted jovial remark to cover his embarrassment, he paused and gave a little subdued remark, well Miss Flanders it’s a good job for Mister John Burns that we do not hang people now days, and he turned to his stenographer stating, don’t ad that last statement to the record. This time Miss Flanders was not amused as she stated firmly, I object, leave that last statement on the record we cannot pick and choose as it suits us! At that moment and somewhat embarrassed and he had a feeling that he was on trial. To cover this embarrassment he jumped back into his controlling position, stating ah Miss Flanders I think we will call it a day we are all getting somewhat tired and we will resume tomorrow at eleven AM.

John gave a smile of gratitude as he was ushered back to the cell, as he entered the thought entered his mind, this is crazy how in hells name can I prove my innocents? Once again an uninteresting meal arrived which he had little interest in eating as his mind was full of negative thoughts and after making a half-hearted attempt he pushed the plate to one side and in deep contemplation sipped his mug of tea. It was then a thought entered his mind, who on earth was the person who had phoned the police in the first place, and the only way they could have known about the body was if they had placed it there to incriminate him. And this secret