Missing Years ( Part 18)

DCI Spencer picked up as many different daily newspapers as he could on his way to see Ray Samuels. He had managed only two hours sleep during the night and even that was taken in his chair at the office. The news about Tom Lucas had reached him late yesterday and he wanted to tell Ray personally, he knew Ray had liked Tom and would be upset by the news.

The red tops were running the Ray Samuels story on their front pages; some even had it on pages 3, 4, 5 and even 6. Even the Times had it on their front page. The headline of the Sun was “Miracle Man” whilst the Mirror went for “25 Missing Years”.

He arrived at Eddie Samuels house just after 7.00am, there were journalists everywhere, none of them yet knew that the man who found Ray was now dead; god knows what they would write about it!

He walked past a dozen or so people all asking if he had anything to add to yesterday’s statement, he declined and kept walking. Ray saw him coming up the path and opened the door.

“You’re early Inspector, come to keep an eye on me?”

“No Ray, unfortunately I’ve got some bad news”

“Really? Why what’s happened?”

“Tom Lucas was killed yesterday, he was involved in a car accident just up the road, I’m sorry Ray, I know your were friends”

Ray sat down and lowered his head, just as Eddie Samuels walked into the room.

“What’s happened?”

Ray spoke.

“Tom Lucas was killed yesterday in a car accident”

Eddie put his hands together and said a prayer.

“He was a good and kind man who helped my son, Lord please accept him into your kingdom, amen”

Although not a religious man, DCI Spencer found himself closing his eyes and saying Amen as well.

Eddie then went to the kitchen and came back with three cups of coffee.

“Where did it happen Inspector?”

“Just up the road about a mile away at the roundabout at Gallows Corner, he was on his way to see Ray”

“What was he coming to see Ray about?”

“Well, after the press conference, we just thought it would be a good idea to make sure you weren’t being pestered, so Tom was coming over to help in any way he could”

“So he was coming to protect Ray?”

“I suppose so, yes in a way he was, why?”

“I have my own theories Inspector, but not ones yet that I’m ready to share”

Ray had kept quiet up till now.

“I think I know what you mean Dad, Tom was on his way here to protect me, someone or something didn’t want him to protect me”

“Look Ray, it was an accident, you know what that Roundabouts like, even 25 years ago it was a nightmare, traffic coming from all directions, Tom was new to the area, he just misjudged it, that’s all, it was an accident”

“Maybe, thanks for letting me know, I’ll let you know if I need any help in the future, goodbye Inspector”

DCI Spencer knew it was time to go, he politely said goodbye and left.

Eddie Samuels sat down next to his son.

“You’re right Ray, we need to be careful from now on, Toms death was no accident I’m sure of that, it’s too much of a coincidence, he was told to protect you and that’s what got him killed, by who I’m not sure, but remember what the good book says. He will come in many forms”

Ray stood up and went to the window.

“Perhaps it’s time I let everyone know, came out and spoke, what do you think Dad?”

“Not yet son, but soon”

Swan had got the call about Tom Lucas from Spencer late last night, he too had been unable to sleep, he was sure it was just an accident but something that James had said earlier at the Reform club now had him wondering. He said that we could see some nasty things start to happen and within an hour Tom Lucas was dead. He was already sitting at his desk. It was just after 07.00am. The phone rang.

“Alan, its James. Sorry it’s early but couldn’t sleep last night after our chat yesterday I’ve been going through a lot of things in my mind. There was something that we didn’t discuss yesterday, something that you might also want to bear in mind”

“Go on James, what is it?”

“Well the Bible also says that evil comes in many forms, it will trick us, it says that evil may come with the face of an Angel, in laymen’s terms Ray Samuels may not be a saviour after all, he may be something quite the opposite!”