The Witch and the Watcher

Four

FourThe warm Mediterranean waters tickled Vicky's feet, her toes digging into the wet sand, as the surf washed over her ankles. The sun's strength was abating as the afternoon headed into early evening. The vast expanse of blue in front of her, turning pink as the sun dropped towards the horizon. Vicky smiled at the anticipation of a beautiful evening ahead, spent with the man she loved. She looked down at her tanned legs, smiling as she splashed sea water over them. The woman felt content.

“You look so beautiful, baby bear. I could stare at you forever. No one on this beach even comes close to you.” Steve said next to her.

She looked at him, her breath catching in her throat. He was so beautiful to her. His dark hair and skin appearing full of life in the balmy afternoon sun. Steve's stone shorts and linen shirt completing the intoxicating ingredients. She was totally in love with him. “You give me butterflies, Steve Evans. I'm sure other girls on the beach are prettier than me. But thank you.” She reached over, kissing his salty lips. He returned the kiss, holding her face in his hands. Goosebumps peppered her tanned flesh as he held her. She was tipsy. And he was her alcohol.

He broke the kiss, his eyes opening like it was the first time. “I love you, Vicky Tucker.”

“I love you too, Steve Evans.” The world around them melted away as they became lost in the moment.

Finally, Steve looked out to sea, the breeze ruffling his hair. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving, babe. Shall we grab a bite to eat? We could eat at the restaurant on the cliff, the one we walked past yesterday. La Plancha.”

“Why not. I'm ravenous.” He took her hand, kissing her palm gently. “I'm ravenous for you too, Señorita. I'll leave a little room for pudding later.”

She blushed, drinking in his dark features.

Ding-dong!

Vicky looked around herself, trying to locate the noise that had invaded their moment. She shrugged it off, returning her gaze to her boyfriend. “Shall we go straight there? I don't want to go back to the hotel. Let's eat.”

“Sounds good to me, babe. I'm gonna try the Cataplana tonight. It's-”

Ding-dong!

“Can you hear that noise, Steve?”

“Noise. No, babe?”

Knock, knock, knock. Steve's face evaporated from view as the banging continued.

Knock, knock, knock. Vicky sat up in bed, momentarily disoriented. She looked at the clock on the wall. Seven. Who's knocking my door this early? The knocking came again. Louder this time. She swung her feet off the bed, heading over to the bedroom door, grabbing her dressing gown as she padded downstairs. Before Vicky opened the door, she checked her reflection in the hall mirror. She tried in vain to smooth out her bed hair before seeing who was on her doorstep. A blast of cool air entered the house as she came face to face with two women stood on her doorstep. Two female police officers.

“Mrs Evans?” the one officer said. She looked to be roughly Vicky's age. Dark hair with a nondescript face.

“Yes,” Vicky replied with a degree of trepidation.

“I'm Constable Jones. This is Constable Feasey.”

Vicky nodded at the other officer, noticing that she was a good few years older. She also had dark hair, with dark smudges under her eyes. “Is everything okay?”

“Could we come in? Bit cold out here,” Constable Feasey said softly.

“Sure. Come in.” Vicky stood to one side, letting the two officers into the hallway. The cold wind and droplets of rain were left outside as the front door was closed. “Go through to the kitchen,” Vicky said as she re-knotted her dressing gown. As she walked in behind them, she noticed that both officers had removed their hats, placing them on the kitchen table. “Would you like some tea or coffee?” Vicky enquired expectantly.

Constable Jones shook her head. “No thank you, Mrs Evans. We're both fine. Would you like to sit down?”

“What's happened?” Vicky said nervously as she took a seat, the chair legs grating on the tiled floor. The officers followed suit, Constable Feasey pulling a notepad from her breast pocket.

“Have you checked on your son this morning, Mrs Evans?”

A cold stone landed in Vicky's gut. “N-no, why?” she stumbled. Before the officers could respond, Vicky was heading upstairs. “Jaspy. Are you okay?” she called. Flinging the door open, her fears all hit home at once. The room was empty. She heard footsteps on the carpeted stairs behind her as tears broke from her eyes. “Where is he?” she cried as Constable Jones gently took her by the arm, leading her over to the single bed.

“Jasper was found this morning by one of your neighbours. A Mr Thomas, who I believe lives further down the road. He's fine, Mrs Evans,” Jones said, squeezing Vicky's hand.

“I don't understand. Found him where?”

“On the Lickey Hills,” Feasey answered. “Mr Thomas just so happened to be walking his dog early this morning. He found Jasper asleep on the floor. He'll be okay. He's been taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, where they are treating him for exposure.” Vicky began weeping, collapsing into Jones's arms. The officer let her cry, rubbing her back gently as the woman's emotions boiled over. After a minute, Vicky pulled away, wiping her eyes. Constable Feasey handed her a tissue. “Here, Mrs Evans. Take this.”

“Thanks,” Vicky said, blowing her nose. She scrunched the tissue into her fist as she looked at the two officers. “I don't understand. How did he wind up at the Lickey's? How?”

“We've no idea. Your neighbour found him in the forest above the golf course, about a mile away from here. What time did he go to bed last night?”

“About nine. We'd been out walking, up the Lickey's as it happens. We came home about four, had hot dogs for tea, and just pottered about the house. I went up about ten. I was done in. We've suffered a bereavement recently. It's taken its toll on us.”

“We know, Mrs Evans. And you have our condolences,” Jones said patting her hand.

Vicky composed herself, swallowing back the tears that threatened to spill out. “I had a shower, checked on Jasper and was out like a light. I've no idea why he would get out of bed and leave the house in the middle of the night? He's never done anything like this before.”

“Have you noticed anything unusual in the last few days?” Feasey asked.

Vicky immediately thought about the dead animals in her garden, quickly opting to keep that to herself. “Not that I'm aware of. We've just been trying to come to terms with what happened to Steve, Lucy and Brett.” She stood up suddenly. “I have to go to him. Did you say he's in the Alex?”

“He is. Would you like us to take you, Mrs Evans?”

“No, it's fine. I'm fine to drive myself. I need to get ready.”

“We understand. He's your son. He'll be wanting to see you too. We'll pop back later if that's okay? We may have a few more questions for you.”

“Okay. I'll be here.” Tears suddenly seeped from her eyes. She reached for the officers, hugging them both fiercely as she started sobbing once more. They returned the embrace clumsily. Looking away from each other as tears streamed down their own cheeks.