Creeper, p.29
Creeper, page 29
Jenny dropped to her knees for a moment, crying hysterically. Then she stood and walked to her daughter slowly, her body trembling with excitement. She pulled her in close and kissed her forehead. ‘Did he hurt you, Beth?’
‘No, I’m fine. A little bruised, but I’m OK.’
They heard Sean and Ethan calling her name from the garden.
‘Guys, she’s here! Beth is here!’
They came running, sprinting across the grass.
Billy and Declan stood back as the four of them gripped each other in a circle.
‘How can we ever thank you both?’ Sean asked.
Declan’s eyes lit up. ‘A cup of tea would be good. Oh, and a few Jaffa Cakes. I do love those.’
Jenny looked up. She smiled at Declan. ‘It’s the least we can do.’
Declan pointed to the damaged car door. ‘Oh, and a big shovel for Billy here so he can dig himself a hole.’
40
The six of them sat in the kitchen. Sean, Jenny and Ethan couldn't take their eyes off Beth. She'd only been gone an hour but it had seemed like days.
Declan was stuffing Jaffa Cakes into his mouth two at a time. He wiped the chocolate from his mouth with a satisfied smile.
Billy was still focused on what he was going to say to his son. He'd been so careful with the car. He wanted a pit to appear, which he could fall deep inside. Henry would be livid.
Jenny turned to the two of them. 'So, what happens now?'
'Well, the police are looking for Ed Berry. We can't prove anything yet, but the net is closing in. So far, they have no bodies and until Beth gives a statement, no way of knowing that it was him that took her. We'll do all we can to bring him down.'
He turned to Declan. 'Come on. Let's give these people their privacy.'
'What? And leave half a packet of Jaffas? You must be mad.'
'We'll get some on the way home if you're that desperate.'
The two men stood, and the family thanked them for their help.
'We'll talk tomorrow. Get some rest and make sure to lock up. He's still out there.'
As Billy and Declan moved from the kitchen, they could smell petrol.
Billy turned back. 'Hey, check over the farmhouse. Something isn't right.'
'What's happening, Mum?'
'I don't know.'
Sean moved to the hallway. 'Guys, go out the front door. Quickly. I'll check over the place.'
The three of them moved along the hall and tried to open the front door.
'It's locked,' Jenny said. 'Something is stopping it from opening.'
'It's him. Out the back way. Quick. Everyone go.' Declan waited until they’d moved to the kitchen, then walked behind them.
Sean stood next to Billy. 'Go on. You go. I'll be fine.'
'I'm staying with you.'
The smell of smoke began to fill the air, rising from the basement. Sean started to cough. 'Billy, I'm ordering you: go.'
Billy growled and joined the others.
'The back door is locked too.' Ethan began to pull on the handle. He placed his foot on the wall for a better grip. 'It's no use. He's been here. He's locked us inside. Where are the keys?'
Jenny could see the smoke beginning to rise through the floorboards.
By the front door, Sean was bent over and struggling to breathe. The fire had spread quickly and was now ferocious. He could feel the heat from the floorboards under his feet.
Flames were pushing through the gaps, forcing their way through.
He tried smashing the glass of the front door, but he didn’t have the strength. The hallway was a mass of smoke, the heat unbearable. The flames were making him nauseous. He fell against the wall and dropped headfirst onto the ground.
Ethan was hurling objects at the window to no avail. He jumped up onto the sideboard and began to kick the glass. His foot went through, creating an intense noise as it smashed. He climbed through the gap, then moved to the back door. A heavy piece of wood had been placed across it and secured with nails. Ed Berry must have done it while they'd been out on the road with Beth.
Ethan took a step back then barged into the kitchen door. It took him four attempts to open it.
‘Where’s Sean?’ Declan shouted.
Billy turned. ‘I thought he was with us.’
Declan took Billy’s coat, placed it over his head, and went back in, fighting through the thick fog. ‘Sean, where are you?’
The sound of flames reverberated around him. He could hear parts of the building beginning to collapse.
'Sean, you've got to get out.' He dropped to the ground and began crawling. Declan swept his hands along the floor, using the jacket as a shield against the heat. 'Sean, please, where are you?'
Declan began to cough. His lungs felt raw, his skin hot.
All of a sudden, he could feel a body. It was Sean. He was lying by the front door.
'You aren't going anywhere yet, Mister. It's not your time.' Declan placed his hands under his shoulders, then carefully stood and heaved backwards, pulling Sean with him, dragging him along the hallway. As he made through to the kitchen and outside, Sean started to cough, then turned on his side and puked.
Declan sat beside him, proud that they'd all made it out.
They stood back, watching the farmhouse. The fire had now intensified. They heard loud explosions from the heat. The flames were working their way through the farmhouse, eating everything in its path.
Billy called the emergency services and explained what had happened. When he hung up, he thought about Ed Berry. He'd wreaked havoc on so many people's lives.
He had to put a stop to it.
By the time the fire brigade arrived, most of the farmhouse had gone up in flames. The heat was intense, the flames roaring, eating everything in its path, rising like a serpent and gaining in strength.
Some of the locals arrived, having seen the smoke from the village. They checked on the family to make sure everyone had got out and to offer help.
The ambulance crew checked on Sean. He'd inhaled a lot of smoke but was now fully conscious. They said he'd probably have an intense headache and would need rest.
They’d praised Declan's bravery for going back inside for him.
As the firefighters entered the building, strapped with water hoses, Sean stood with his family. He stared at the fire, his body in shock. He was sure he could see Ed Berry's smiling face in the flames.
When the police arrived, he gave a statement. The police also wanted statements from Jenny and Ethan. When it was Beth’s turn, she relayed the full incident. As she gave a description of the perpetrator, she broke down.
'We'll catch him. I'm sorry your first week in Painswick has been so trying. It's a great place to live. Please don't let this put you off. I want you all to stay in a safe house tonight. It's for the best – at least until we search the local fields. He may still be here. It's not safe.'
Sean nodded. He wasn't going to put his family in jeopardy.
More police arrived and began to search the fields with bright flashlights. They found a well in the back garden.
One of the officers pointed a flashlight deep into it. 'Over here.'
More officers joined him.
They needed to go down.
Once the fire had been extinguished and after they’d given their statements, Billy and Declan went to leave.
Jenny, Sean, Beth and Ethan thanked them for everything.
'I just hope the bastard is put behind bars tonight.' Billy turned, watching the bright lights illuminate the fields. His body ached and his stomach was in knots, knowing that the person responsible for the death of his daughter was so close. 'You're welcome to stay with us, at my son's house.'
'No. You've done enough for us. We're going to a safe house. The police said they’ll organise it.'
'It's for the best. At least until he's caught.' Billy watched the farmhouse, looking at the wisps of smoke that smouldered inside. He turned to Declan. 'If you say anything about a bonfire, you're walking home. Do you hear me?'
'Billy, as if.'
'I wouldn't put it past you.'
'I didn't need the jacket in the end. How good is the heating in their house?'
'Right. That's it. Off you go. You're walking home.'
'I'm so sorry this has happened.' Sean addressed the rest of his family.
'Dad, we were all up for moving to Painswick. You weren't to know this would happen.'
'She's right, Dad. Don't blame yourself. You and Mum spoke about it for months. You did everything you could. It was your dream – a new beginning, more space. I'm just sorry for you both.'
Jenny moved to stand next to Sean. 'You're my hero, you know that?'
'Oh, Jenny. Stop.'
'I mean it. I love you so much. Sod the farmhouse and everything that was inside. All we need is each other. It could have been so much worse.' They both looked at Beth. Her smile was beginning to return but she looked so tired and washed out.
'So, what happens now?'
'I guess we stay someplace safe. For how long is anyone's guess.' Sean looked out over the fields. The police were combing the area in full force, the lights from their torches dancing through the tall grass.
It looked like they were going to look inside the well. There appeared to be enough evidence to assume they might find something.
Suddenly, one of the officers shouted from the field opposite.
'I've found something. The soil has been disturbed.'
The Freemans felt numb.
They recalled the red coat.
Somehow, they knew it was Marie Nelson.
Billy had told Declan to walk. As they walked from the farmhouse, Billy pulled the driver's door back and watched as his partner made his way along the dark road. He suddenly felt guilty. ’Get in then. It's freezing.' Billy drove the car slowly beside where Declan walked.
Declan peered through the broken window of the car, the door hanging almost on the ground. 'I think it's colder in there.' He strolled with his hands in his pockets. The air was fresh and it stung his cheeks.
'Last chance. There's still a couple of miles to go. We could be sat in the kitchen, warming ourselves with a glass of whisky. Your choice.'
Declan reached for the door and climbed into the passenger seat. 'Have you got diet coke?'
'I'm sure there'll be something to deaden the taste, lightweight.'
Billy hit the accelerator, and Declan fell back in his seat.
'Christ, go easy.'
'What the hell am I going to tell my son?'
Suddenly, lights came on behind the car. Billy adjusted the rear-view mirror. 'Back off, you arse wipe. Look how close this idiot is.' He turned, moving his hand in the air, motioning for the driver to slow down. 'I can't go anyway. You'll have to be patient.'
The lights were getting closer. Then bang, the vehicle rammed into the back of them, knocking Billy and Declan forward.
'What the hell? Is it him?'
'I don't know. But he's going to ram us off the bloody road.' Billy pressed the accelerator, pushing the Mazda faster to thirty miles an hour.
Declan crossed one leg over the other and gripped the overhead handle. He regretted getting into the car. 'Can we turn off?'
'How would I bloody know? What am I? A Satnav?'
The truck hit them from behind again. They charged forward, Billy almost hitting his head on the windscreen. The vehicle had dropped back then rammed into the car.
'I don't believe this. For shit's sake. It's going to be crushed to the size of a tub of butter by the time I get it back. Henry is going to kill me.'
'Billy, you have to turn off. It's too dangerous.'
'Where? It's one long road. I can't stop or turn around.'
'Well, drive faster then.'
'Quick. Dial 999. Tell them what's happening. There are police at the farmhouse.'
Declan dialled and told the call handler what was happening. 'I think it's Ed Berry.'
'Who else would it be?'
Declan turned away, holding the phone close to his ear. 'Sorry, I'm with Billy Huxton – a private investigator. We're in danger and we need assistance now.'
The call handler asked Declan to stay on the line. A minute later, she assured him that police were on their way. 'And you say you can't pull over?'
'We could, but we'd risk a truck being rammed up our arse.' Declan hung up. 'Is there anything I can throw out of the car? Maybe distract him?'
'How about yourself?' Billy pushed forward, wiping the screen with his right hand. He was struggling to see. The road seemed more narrow now, though thankfully the lights behind had dropped away.
He thought about Katie. He'd always envisioned beating her murderer to a pulp, only needing one moment in a room with him to rip him apart. This wasn’t how he expected events to pan out.
As he drove, he felt fearful. Ed Berry was a madman. He wouldn't stop until he and Declan were dead in a ditch. He thought about his beautiful wife, what they'd gone through during those days and weeks after Katie had gone missing, not to mention her illness and final breath. Then his thoughts shifted to his new friend and comrade, Declan, how he’d given up his leave to help him catch the person responsible for Katie's death.
Ed Berry. Creeper. The person so many were terrified to mention, or to even think about. The terror he'd brought to Painswick. Their own Bogeyman.
Billy couldn't let it end here. He wouldn't. If he was going to die, he had to bring down Ed as well.
He stamped on the accelerator, the speedometer almost hitting forty miles an hour, the long, narrow road rolling out ahead.
The lights appeared, gaining, moving closer.
Ed Berry was laughing hysterically. As he watched the Mazda swerving along the road, he bounced in his seat with excitement. The person in front was driving for his life, but it was all of his own making.
The recording had been put to bed, buried deep in the walls of the basement. By finding it again, this man had started a new chain of events.
Ed had sprung on Jenny and Sean Freeman as soon as he'd found out about the move to the farmhouse. This had always been his fear, and he needed the recording to stay hidden.
He knew that one day the net may close in; people would find out what he'd done. The eight women in Painswick. Marie Nelson and maybe more in the near future.
He had a recording. Ronnie Hathaway entering the farmhouse. His get out clause, his ticket to freedom. He'd killed Ronnie and hid the body. If the police made their move, Ed would steer them to the footage. A tip-off from a burner phone. An anonymous call. Ronnie Hathaway entering the farmhouse. Ed, talking to the camera. The cold-blooded murder. Who would know any different? Ed would be far away from here when it happened. Just like before.
Missing.
Presumed dead.
And Ronnie would take the blame.
Ed had made a mistake. He'd panicked. The men in the sports car had called over to Ronnie's house. His wife had died recently, and he was supposed to be away for much-needed rest and relaxation. Ed had Ronnie's phone; he'd posted on the street WhatsApp group that he intended to go away, unsure when he'd return.
He'd buried Ronnie's body in a field close to the farmhouse. The night he'd found Billy snooping in Ronnie's shed, he thought it was over. He had to act fast; he had to plant something to scare them off, something to put the fear of God into the both of them.
Ed had intended to dig up the skeletal remains of one of his victims. Any of the women he'd murdered would do.
He grabbed a shovel from the back of the truck and began digging the earth, finding Ronnie Hathaway's body. He panicked; his head became cloudy with the pressure he was under, the voices so loud in his head. He saw lights in the distance, and his cover was about to be blown.
Ed needed Ronnie hidden. How else could he blame him? But he was digging at the wrong grave. Ronnie's grave.
Ed was running out of time. He couldn't recall at this moment where the other bodies were.
So he took Ronnie, loading his dead body into the back of the truck.
He returned the next day and strung him up like a piece of art, his masterpiece for all to see.
It seemed the only way to scare Billy and Declan off the trail.
But Ed knew.
He knew once Ronnie Hathaway was identified; his cover would be blown.
A mistake he'd made in the heat of the moment.
The only way he thought he could frighten them into backing off.
The fire had gone so wrong. In his moment of enthusiasm, after nailing the door shut and locking the front, the Mazda had pulled onto the drive. He hadn’t had time to deal with the windows to secure them too.
But it was OK. He'd return and deal with the family once the police left.
He thought about his sister, lying in her garden. He pictured her, her body distorted, crushed and broken. It had to happen. Who else would she tell? Or were there others she'd confided in already? It was supposed to be a family secret between the two of them. Mary would always make it better. She had his back.
But not this time.
Ed had followed the Freemans’ car and had waited outside his sister’s house. He was going to break in, maybe as she slept, but he got lucky much sooner. As she said goodbye to her family, waving at the front door, she’d moved out onto the road. As she’d watched the car, Ed had managed to get inside and hide in the living room.
He'd heard everything.
Now, he watched the car ahead, maybe thirty or forty yards in front. As he slammed his foot on the accelerator, he listened for the nursery rhyme, but all he heard was the crunching sound as he battered into the back of the Mazda.
Sing it, God damn you. Sing the song. I'll start, Mary. See-saw— Come on, I mean it. Sing it for me. But Ed no longer heard the voice in his head. Not a murmur. His sister had died and so too had her blessing.
He watched the car in front, the man in the driver's seat turning, pushing his hand in the air to ward him off. The guy in the passenger seat was moving his body around, watching the truck behind.
