I SHALL FIND YOU (2 page)

Godfree felt the tap on his shoulder.

“Care for a coffee, mate?” James asked.

The African smiled back at the Englishman who always wore a smile.

“Sure, Jamie. Thanks.”

“Let’s go.”

They headed down the steps from the electricians’ workshop, passed rows of noisy and busy production lathe and grinding machines, and halted at the coffee machines. James slotted in a coin, waited for the cups and handed one to Godfree.

“Cheers.”

“You’re welcome, mate,” James said as he took a sip. “Got a girlfriend yet?”

The other shook his head. “No.”

“Still pinning over that girl who cheated you?”

“What about you? No girlfriend either?”

“Nope.”

“A handsome bloke like you?”

James shrugged his shoulders. “Why bother when I can pick one in a pub? I’m like you too, Godfree. It’s all a matter of trust. A woman will use you and walk away. Hurt you bad. Someone said the strong man’s the one who can live without one.”

“Some priests hate women but abuse little boys.”

“Right, hypocrites hiding under robes. Godfree, looks like our blonde abductor's struck again.”

“Heard you and Frank talking about it this morning. Does seem there’s a deranged man out there who hates blondes.”

“He has a reason. Perhaps his blonde girlfriend dumped him.”

“Talking of that blonde abductor?”

 They turned. Neither had heard Rose approach.

“Hi, Rose.” James said. “Let me get you a drink.”

“Hi,” Godfree said.

The green-eyed girl with long ash-blonde hair ignored him, accepted a cup from James.

“Thanks. That kidnapper’s one twisted individual.” She glared at Godfree. “Are you saying if his girlfriend dumped him, that gives him the right to kidnap girls?”

“We were saying the kidnapper must hold a grudge,” James said.

“He wouldn’t be the first man to lose a girl. If she says no he should kill her?”

“There could be abuse in his childhood,” Godfree pointed out.

“Three girls are missing, and your conclusion is the madman has a right because he was abused as a child?” she snapped. “That’s shallow thinking.”

“I never condoned kidnapping. It was only a theory.”

“For goodness sake!” She looked as if she was about to chuck the coffee in his face. “Let’s get real here. James, will you tell this guy to shut up? Girls are disappearing even as we speak. All he can do is drink coffee and be casual about it. Tell us where these girls are.”

Her eyes glittered.

“Rose.” James touched her shoulder. “Godfree hasn’t kidnapped these girls. I’m the one who said first the person responsible must have a reason. Could be abuse’s a strong motive.”

“How do you know this guy standing here isn’t capturing and cutting them into small pieces? Police need to search his house.”

“You’re getting carried away.”

“I’m not! Suppose I’m his next target? The blonde abductor may be standing a yard from me this minute. Look at the colour of my hair. In case you didn’t notice, it’s blonde.”

“Rose-”

“Leave me alone, James! I’m talking to this refugee. Answer me. Where did you hide them? You left your home for this country, cheated your way past our borders and repay us by killing our girls? That’s giving us the finger. Did you kill others out there and ran before you were caught? Are you going to reply? I should dump this coffee in your face.”

“Are you accusing him of capturing those girls? It’s not him.”

“Let him answer. Where are they?”

Godfree wanted to tell her, “What you need is to be held on my knee and slapped hard, girl.”

Instead he replied, “I’ve no idea where they are.”

“Last I heard they were tied up in your cellar.”

“Feel free to visit me and inspect my house. I’ll give you my address.”

“Get back home!”

“I belong here, am a British citizen too.”

He sauntered back to the shop, dumped the half-empty cup in the bin, thinking of her latest outburst. Rose and her dad Frank both worked at this factory. Did she seriously think he was the person kidnapping girls? That girl was just as rude as her father. But today she had taken her hatred to a new level. James had told him her older sister had been sexually assaulted by an African refugee from Godfree’s country of birth. Godfree guessed since then every refugee was a potential danger to Rose.

He was busy on a machine when James arrived.

“Don’t let Rose upset you, mate. Guess she’s scared, with her being blonde too. I told her there’s no way you can be that kidnapper.”

Godfree shrugged his shoulders. “In her eyes I am. Need a strong alibi if the police ever come asking questions.”

“You aren’t a suspect, never killed those girls.” His voice was firm. “I’ll vouch for you.”

“You think they’re dead? Could be someone drugged, trafficked and sold them.”

“No.” James’ voice was strong. “He has a motive. There’s a link the police are missing. They are failing miserably to pick this. Stones detectives and Scotland Yard don’t even know. They should ask why blonde girls and not brunettes are being kidnapped. He’s killing them.”

“They have to be alive.”

“They aren’t, not after this long. That killer is brainy.”

“As long as they haven’t been found we must have hope.”

“Hope won’t bring them back. It’s too late.”

“If I didn’t know you well enough, you’d be a suspect, Jamie. Sound like you admire this crazy abductor.”

“I have an intuition about this Godfree. Dreamt they’re dead. If the police ever find them, it’ll be too late. In my dream they never caught the killer or found the girls.”

“I believe they’re alive, so stop trying to scare me.”

“Where are they then? I told you that blonde abductor’s got it planned. He’s a brilliant strategist.”

“Are you praising this twisted individual that’s capturing girls?”

Godfree watched James leave, a frown on his face. Did James admire the person kidnapping girls? It had sounded like that. Those girls were alive. They must be. James was being heartless. Godfree would not allow himself to believe him and his dream.

It was proving a bad day.

First that girl had accused him of murdering those girls. And now his friend spoke as if he was sure the victims were dead. For a moment he had thought he was the blonde abductor. But he knew him. They got along fine. He was one of the people who had accepted him when he arrived at this place. How could he even entertain such a thought? James had even defended him before Rose a while ago.

In a quarter of an hour he had fixed the machine and handed it back to the operator.

“James believes you’ve nothing to do with those missing girls. I’m not sure, have already called the police hotline,” Rose spoke.

She had a knack to sneak upon him unawares.

He braced himself. “Haven’t you said enough today?”

“Not yet. How about explaining where you were each night the girls disappeared. The net’s closing.”

“So you really believe next to everything else you’ve called me I’m a killer as well? How about you stating your whereabouts those nights yourself? Can you remember?”

“Me? I was home. What would be my motive to kidnap them?”

“Same here. I like staying home. The police are free to come to my house, question me and search. You’re welcome to join them, like I said before. Why not leave them to do their work and catch an abductor? You want my address?”

“My hair colour should tell you why I’m scared. I could be in danger.”

“Hundreds of girls have blonde hair. Why would the kidnapper choose you from the lot?”

“You’re neither a girl nor blonde, so you wouldn’t know how it feels.”

“You could dye your hair, become a pretty brunette like me. Didn’t they ever tell you black is beautiful?”

“Do you think it’s all a joke? I’ve never had a wish to be a brunette and like my hair this way. If we were alone I’d gouge out your eyes from your sockets. Dyeing my hair indeed! Your suggestion is all girls dye their hair?”

“I know how much we dislike each other. You and me aren’t friends, and won’t ever be. But that doesn’t mean I want to hurt you, or other blondes for that matter. I sincerely hope whoever took those girls hasn’t killed them, and they’ll be found soon. The last thing I want is learn they were murdered. As much as I don’t like you, killing has never entered my mind. Only thing I’d like though is whip you until you whimper.”

She coloured. “You could help police by telling them where you’re holding them captive.”

“They aren’t in my house. So where am I keeping them? In the garden shed, perhaps? Or maybe I have a secret dungeon under my house.”

“You would know. I don’t.”

“Do you know what I’d do if we were alone?”

“You’ve already told me. It’ll never happen.”

“Two things. The first is to put you on my knee and whack you so hard you wouldn’t walk for a month. You get that, Blondie?”

“What’s the second?”

“Tie you up, drive you to the sea and chuck you over a cliff into the waters with a stone tied around your neck.”

“That’s what you did to the girls?”

“Haven’t even met them. Hey, why didn’t I think of this one before? There’s an alternative. I could make a fast buck by selling you.”

She searched for something to strike him. “You’re uncouth and disgusting. I’ll never be a prostitute if that’s what you mean! That’s what you’re doing to those girls. Selling them against their will. I’m alerting the police on you.”

“Go ahead if that makes you feel better. They will imprison me and afterwards depot me if I’m the person they want. What’re you waiting for? Stay away from me next time, or I might seriously consider kidnapping and selling you. Got bidders waiting who asked me to find a healthy green-eyed blonde like you. Look, Rose, allegations of kidnap are serious. You might not believe me, but I’m just as concerned for those missing girls like anyone else. If it can be any help, I’ll give you my address so you can come inspect every room in my house. Best to bring someone who knows forensics for a thorough check. Can give you that address now.”

She marched off with a stiff back.

Thoughts of what had happened swirled in his head. Maybe her dad and her had come out with possible suspects and he topped the list. Or it was just to make him snap, strike her and then get fired. It would be best if they left the work of finding a kidnapper to the police. James’ attitude concerning the abductor was puzzling too.

When Rose saw him standing alone at the vending machine she marched over, stopped, and got herself a drink. He ignored her.

“Are they still alive?” she said.

“Not you again? Who?”

“You know.”

He watched her with an uninterested look. “Have you considered kidnapping needs careful planning? A person has to ponder logistics. Transport and housing them. My car boot isn’t large enough for three girls to fit.”

“You have good connections. Why not capture brunettes? What’s it with light- coloured hair? The men you supply only want blondes?”

“You’re clutching at straws, detective. I don’t have a motive to kidnap girls. I’m not so low-life and broke I’d sell girls into prostitution for a few lousy bucks. The idea of tying up a screaming female, and drugging her is abhorrent. She’ll yell, spit, swear and scratch my face. Given the opportunity I’d rather come to your place and spank you.”

“You know my home?”

“Yes, watched it last night from the trees. You went to bed around ten, switched your light off at 10:30. Problem was rain started. I had to leave then.”

“I went to bed around eleven, and stayed awake until midnight. And it didn’t rain last night. You watched someone else’s house.”

“Did I? There was a car similar to yours parked on the driveway beside a red and new Nissan Micra. I thought that was your home.”

“Foolish isn’t the word to describe you. You couldn’t even choose the right home. Dumb is more appropriate.”

He smiled. “For once we agree. Next time I’ll make sure I get the address first. May I have it? Do I need a ladder to reach your room? If you’ve forgotten I can ask your dad or ma?”

She shook her head. “You want help to find me and break into my room?”

“I’d sure appreciate it, madam.”

For the first time in her life she smiled at him. Her cheeks dimpled. “Dumb and crazy. Can’t imagine how I could even think you kidnapped those girls. Still want my address?”

“Please.”

She frowned, tapped her temple. “Oh dear. I’ve forgotten.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get that address somehow. Your dad will give it to me.”

“How do you aim to ask him?”

“I haven’t thought about it. What do I say to get it? What about this? Sir, could I have your address, as I’m planning to pay your daughter a visit after everyone has gone to sleep? Would you also lend me a ladder? Think I can word it better? I need help here. English isn’t my first language.”

“Thick and dumb, that’s you. I’m surprised you even got this job.”

“It’s no secret. The interviewers were curious, hardly listened to the answers. Hey, I never realized it before. Can you do it again?”

“What?”

“Smile. When you do your dimples come out. I never realized before how deep they were. You even look a bit pretty then.”

She blushed, disappeared between the machines and rushed back to her office. Several things had happened today. Outside being accused of kidnapping girls she had smiled. Then that blush and running off.

An hour later he needed a valve from the machine shed nicknamed the machine graveyard, where old machines were stored. He was at the back in a corner unscrewing the part when steps sounded. Rose headed in his direction, stopped a yard away and placed her hands in the pockets of her dust-coat. 

His voice was casual. “What’re you doing here alone? Thought I warned you it was dangerous.”

“Looking for a part. What about you?”

“This solenoid valve.” He carried on unscrewing it off the machine, then glanced up. “You still here? So you aren’t scared being alone with me?”

“Should I be?”

“I thought you said I was a kidnapper.”

“Why did you really come to this country? There are other places you could have gone to.”

“Aren’t you being xenophobic?”

“Too many refugees are bleeding our benefits system. We’re just a small island. We can’t take everyone. You people never stop coming.”

“We pay a lot of tax into the system and work hard. Our sisters and mothers do a lot of work in care and residential homes. You will appreciate that when you’re old, sick and suffering from dementia. Your problem is reading the wrong papers whose only agenda is inciting racial hatred. Remember your grandfathers came to my country first, colonized it and grabbed what they wanted. You’d better get used to having me around, because I’m not leaving. It’s not too late to say sorry.”

“You’re mad for even dreaming I’ll ever apologize to you.”

“I should have known you wouldn’t. All refugees to you are liars and cheats.”

“Do you like it in this country then?”

“Everything’s different from the weather, food and all. But I’ve met good decent people. And like everywhere else you go, there are those that won’t like you. But that’s what it is. Some people won’t change. If your life was in danger, wouldn’t you run very far?”

“I suppose so.”

“But then you’ve never had to be a refugee, have led a sheltered life. Why is it so hard for you then to accept me here? To you every refugee here is lying and cheating his and her way across the border, despite the coldness in this country, and the loneliness of being so far from home. None is genuine. Aren’t you reading the wrong papers? Those that keep shouting refugees should be sent back?”

“My older sister was sexually abused by a refugee like you. He was from your country too. You expect me to like refugees after the ordeal she went through?”

“No. I’m sorry about what happened to her. But that doesn’t mean we are all like that. Nasty characters come in all races, sizes and colours. I would never force a girl. Can’t imagine the trauma she would go through. There are two types of refugees; economic and political. Those escaping unemployment, seeking a better life, and the others targeted by despotic political regimes. I belong to the political one, but wouldn’t even bother to explain. It’s like throwing water on a duck’s back. You won’t believe me anyway.”

She was quiet, appeared deep in thought, watched him, then turned and walked out.

He heard Frank’s voice.

“There you are, Rose. I’ve been looking for you for a coffee. Someone said you came this way.”

“I’ve been looking for a part out here, Dad.”

“You found it? Want help?”

Godfrey hid behind a machine.

“It’s nothing urgent, Dad. I’ll look for it another time. Let’s go have that drink now.”

“With girls missing I don’t want you on your own, especially in this gloomy graveyard.”

“You’re scaring me. You don’t think that blonde abductor works at this factory.”

The two laughed at something Godfree didn’t catch. Then their voices faded.