Helping Sarah

Chapter 20

Sarah

My eyes followed my friend who was holding the single most precious thing in my life as they went to the nearest fire engine and one of the firefighters greeted Charlie. Only then did I focus on PC Harris.

I dragged in a breath and told him about Lenny; about Andrew and the calls and the graffiti and the reports I had filed with the police, his threats and that he had approached me in the street earlier in the day.

I didn't care what the constable thought of me or Andrew or Michael's presence. Despite their reluctance to help so far, the police would ultimately need to be involved to get Lenny out of our lives, and I wasn't going to hold back anything that might boost their willingness to help. Hopefully, the more I told them, the sooner they would take me seriously.

PC Harris didn't nod or shake his head during my recital, he simply scribbled on his pad as I spoke. When I finished, he looked up at me, and I thought for a second I saw a frown in his eyes.

"You think this Lenny Thompson has something to do with what's happened here tonight?"

I had no proof that Lenny had anything to do with the fire, but I knew in my gut that he had started it to scare me. "Yes. I believe so. He was here earlier, and he threatened me. That's why Mr Smith is here. I called him."

"Did you see Mr Thompson when the fire started?"

"No."

"Have you seen him while you've been out here?"

"No." I tried to shake my head, but it was no more than a weak gesture. "But I haven't looked for him."

Closing his notepad, the constable straightened a little. "I'll have a look at the reports you've filed, Mrs Graves, and I'll talk to Detective Inspector Murphy about what you've told me tonight."

"He's going to tell you it's just bored kids fooling around."

"Most likely."

His agreement made me stare at him with my lips slightly parted. He couldn't be older than me. He still had the smooth skin of youth, but his eyes showed experience far beyond his years. He grimaced when our gazes met, but quickly smoothed his expression back into neutral.

"Is there somewhere else you can stay tonight?"

"Stay?" I looked at the building and the firefighters who were packing their equipment. There seemed to be very little damage other than the partially melted bins and the burned remnants of their content scattered around them. From where I was sitting, there was no other damage to be seen.

The constable glanced over his shoulder at his partner, a middle-aged woman who was talking to the couple living on the top floor above Charlie and me, then leaned in a bit and lowered his voice. "I'm not saying you're right about Mr Thompson, that's DI Murphy's call, but it might be best if you and your son don't stay here for a few days. And besides, your flat is in a bit of a state after the firefighters' visit. Your window broke in the heat from the fire."

I nodded tiredly. Of course, it had. Why wouldn't it. "I'll find someplace." I hated the idea of bringing trouble to Helen and Benji's house, but PC Harris was right. We should have left the flat days ago. "Can I go inside to get a few things?"

"Yes, they're done inside, and I understand Mrs Boyce has already called your landlord. He's on his way. As soon as your window is boarded up, your flat should be safe to leave for a few days."

I managed a weak smile at the young man. "Thank you. If there's any more information you need that can help, I'll happily give it."

PC Harris stood and in the shadow of nightfall I couldn't be sure if he grimaced again, but it looked like it.