Missing Years ( Part 16 )

DCI Spencer was with Commander Swan in a small office on the top floor of Romford Police Station.

It was two hours now since the press conference; Ray had gone home with his Dad followed by a mass of journalists and film crews. Spencer poured himself a coffee and sat down.

“Well I thought that went well, God help him now though, the press will be all over him like a rash from now on, I wonder what headline they will come up with for tomorrows paper?”

Swan gave him a stern look.

“Something bizarre I’m sure, you shouldn’t have allowed that last question, when you say it’s over, it’s damn well over, no more questions!”

“Sorry sir, I didn’t think it would do any harm, I felt a bit sorry for the Spanish lady, she’d been trying to get a question in for ages”

“Bloody Spanish, that’s all we needed, I bet he can speak bloody French, Italian and Chinese as well!”

Spencer smiled but secretly thought Ray Samuels could now speak every language known to man!

“So what now Sir, leave him alone, just get on with our work?”

“Are you mad Spencer?, now we’ve got to keep our eye on Mr Samuels, I want Lucas to stay close to him, they seem to have bonded a bit over the past few days, make sure that Lucas becomes his mate and then he can report back to you and then you to me. I’ve spoken to his Superintendent and we can have him for as long as we like. Tell him that he’s to stay with us for a few weeks, make sure Ray settles down OK, he can stay at The Travel Lodge for now”

“Ok Sir, he can share my office, he’s a nice man, been with the force for over 20 years”

“So have I, doesn’t make me a nice man!”

Spencer agreed, he’d never seen Swan smile once in the past 48 hours, never seen him eat, drink or even use the bathroom, the man was a bloody machine!

Swan stood up and put on his coat.

“Here’s my card with my work and mobile number, I’m going to put my home number on there as well, you call me every day with an update, doesn’t matter what time of day, call me, and remember, I will also have people keeping an eye on our Mr Samuels!”

Swan brushed past Spencer and left the office.
Spencer sat down and finished his coffee. He was still trying to take it all in, a hell of a lot had happened over the past 72 hours. It looked like there was still a lot more to come!

Ray was sitting in his dad's house in the living room, he felt exhausted. Eddie had drawn the curtains so that they couldn’t be seen by the mass of people outside.

“It’s like a bloody circus out there son, there have been 36 business cards put through the letterbox, everyone from the BBC to some Greek television company, everyone wants a bit of you son”

“It’s not their fault Dad; they’re just doing their job”

“Well they should go and do it somewhere else and give us a bit of peace and quiet!”

The both laughed, comfortable in each other’s company.

Ray loved the old house, he had great memories of it growing up, nothing had changed since he left home at 18 to go to University, same furniture, carpets, curtains, Mums old nick-nacks on the sideboard. It was just perfect, he felt like a kid again.

“I’m gonna cook us something nice for dinner son, your old favourite, Bangers, mash and onion gravy!”

“Thanks Dad, look forward to it, but I think we need to talk first, there are a few thing that you need to know”

Eddie sat down on the old sofa opposite Ray.

“When I answered that last question today I was speaking Spanish yet I’ve never had a lesson in my life, It just happened, just like when I picked up the Bible, I just knew it, I think there’s a lot more I can do as well as time goes on, I’m beginning to think you’re right about one thing Dad, I am here to do something. I’m not sure what at the moment but something!”

“I told you son, you’re special, you’ll see, you have a purpose here, I’m sure it will become clear soon Ray!”

Eddie got up and went into the kitchen. Ray leaned back in the armchair and fell into a deep sleep.

In his dream he was running, running along a familiar road, there was rain in the air and a damp smell. He tripped on something and began to fall, he seemed to be falling a long way for a long time, then he stopped and lay still, unable to move. Something was coming, something dark and damp, closer and closer until it was over him, leaning in close. He couldn’t open his eyes but could feel hot breath on his face, then a voice, a deep and heavy voice spoke.

“You will not win this battle, it is my time, not yours, this is my time”

Ray opened his eyes, he was sweating and shaking, he’d let the thing speak but now he wished he hadn’t!