Missing Years ( Part 20 )

DCI Swan decided to try another angle.In order to get close to Ray, maybe he should get to know the wife and daughter. If he befriended them, that would surely get him close to Ray Samuels. He knew they would both be at Lauras home, not wanting to go out because of the press harassment. He pulled up outside the large house. There were about six or seven reporters sat in their cars drinking coffee, far too cold to leave the comfort of their cars. He walked up the driveway, it was just after midday.

Stacey opened the door, she looked surprised to see him.

“Hello inspector, didn’t expect to see you back so soon, come in and go through to the lounge, Mums in there”

“Thank you Stacey, just wanted to make sure you’re both OK, that’s all”

“Dads just been on the phone, isn’t it a shame about poor Tom Lucas?”

“Yes, terrible shame, I didn’t know him well, but he seemed such a nice man, I saw your Dad this morning, he was a bit upset, as you would expect”

Laura was sitting in a chair beside a large open fire.

“Hello Inspector, have you come to tell us about poor Tom Lucas?”

“Well, that was part of the reason for the visit, but Stacey tells me that you’ve already heard the sad news, but also just to make sure you’re both OK with everything and to see if there’s anything you need”

“That’s very kind of you, cup of tea or coffee?”
“Black coffee please, no sugar”

Laura went into the kitchen to get all three of them some coffee, Stacey motioned to Spencer to sit down.

“What do you make of all this Inspector, you know, about my Dad, what do you think is going on?”

“Stacey, I wish I knew, but I’m just as in the dark as you are, I just know the facts that’s all, but if I’m honest, I think something is going to happen but I don’t know what”

“You know my Granddad thinks my Dads some kind of Saviour of mankind, don’t you?”

“Stacey, you never know he may be right, your Dad is definitely different that’s for sure, he seems to be able to do things that he couldn’t do before he disappeared, but as I say, those are just the facts”

Laura came back with the coffee.

This is a good start thought Spencer, I feel like I’m getting close to them.

Ray and Eddie were sitting talking in the kitchen.

“So what was it like Ray, this feeling you had, what do you think it all means, who’s coming?”

“It was like an electric shock going through me and I instantly knew that we were all in danger, it was like something somewhere has woken up and is on its way, something dark and evil. I didn’t see it’s face but I feel like I know it”

They looked at each other, then Ray stood up and spoke aloud.

“In the Book of Peter he told us, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, well Dad, I think he just found someone!”

Eddie, raised his head up and spoke softly almost as if he were whispering.

“Submit yourself to god, resist the devil and he will flee from you, is what we learn in the book of James, I think it’s time to let people know Ray”

“I agree Dad, I think it’s time!”

Trevor Wilson had never been a violent man, but he liked this new feeling, it was easy taking lives, the feeling made him powerful, no longer a weakling, he was now in control.

The first one was simple enough, a young man on his way home, late, walking along by the arches behind Kings Cross, he’d hit him from behind with a piece of brick he’d found in the alley, it felt good as he saw him fall, even better when he tasted that lovely flesh, drunk that sweet blood. He also had a lot of money on him, enough for Trevor to rent a small room at a nearby seedy hotel, buy some scissors and a razor. He’d cleaned himself up then went out again, the second one was just as easy, another late straggler on their way home, bit older this time. This time he just lept at him from the shadows, slowly squeezed his neck until he could feel that joyous moment when his life dissolved and somehow became his, it made him stronger. More money, money now to buy new clothes. Back to the hotel to change into new clothes and make himself look like everyone else, then he would be ready, ready to claim his rightful place, this was his time.

Laura and Stacey were watching the early morning television news, it was still dark outside, both hadn’t been able to sleep and both had been up since 5.00am.

“Mum, I’d like to see Dad today, that’s OK isn’t it?”

“Stacey, you’re a grown woman, you can do whatever you want to”

“Do you want to come with me? I’m sure Dad would be pleased to see you”

“It’s difficult for me Stacey, I love your Dad, more than anything in the world, but for him it’s not the same, it can’t be, I’m too old for him now, he sees me more of a mother figure , he doesn’t have the same feelings for me that I have for him and that hurts. So I’d rather keep my distance for now, you do understand don’t you?”

Stacey smiled at her mum, knowing just how hard this must be for her.

“Of course I do Mum”

They were both interrupted by the newsreader on the television.

“We have just heard that miracle man Ray Samuels is to read a statement out at 08.00am this morning, we will be showing it live in just over an hours time”

Stacey looked at her Mum.

“I’m going now, I think I should be there with Dad and Granddad”

Spencer rang Swan.

“It’s happening Commander, Ray Samuels is going to speak to all the TV Networks at 08.00am this morning, he says he has something important to tell us all!”