The Mind Man

Chapter thirty one

The cab made its way from Notting Hill in good time through the morning rush and soon turned into a quiet leafy street, stopping outside a terrace house in St John's Wood. Laura looked out the window at her home but her mind was back in Professor Doyle's apartment, completely saturated by the wealth of information and concepts he had put her way. She had completely forgotten her state of fatigue and kept thinking of what he had said about opening a can of worms. Perhaps she had. She would have to call Sergeant Farrell and brief him on the conversation. It made sense that they both work together to find Adam although at this point of time she had no idea how it would work. 

She looked forward to a hot bath and to seeing Helen. It was strange that she had never made contact while she was away. No emails, texts, nothing. Maybe her relationship with Paul had reached new heights. She had lots to tell her and she considered suggesting dinner at Toresano to tell her all the news, if she could stay awake that long. She would have a nap once she was settled as she wasn't expected at the office until the following morning. 

"That'll be sixty-five quid Miss. Need a 'and with ya bags?" 

Laura rummaged through her purse and passed the money to the driver. "No thanks and keep the change." 

"Cheers Miss."

Laura hauled her bags up to the front door and burst through excited and relieved to be home. 

When inside she called out, "Hi, is anyone home?" There was nothing but silence and something seemed odd. She walked into the kitchen and saw a pile of mail on the bench. "Anyone home...Helen?" She turned and walked through to the lounge room and stopped dead in her tracks. Lying on the couch was her roommate, her face swollen and she had a bandage around her arm. There was a cut above her left eye and bruising around her neck. She opened her mouth to speak and Laura noticed several teeth were missing. 

"Good Heavens what happened?" Laura rushed towards her friend and sank to her knees beside her. "When did this happen...who?" 

"Some...people...came...looking...for...you," Helen could hardly speak. 

"Some people...who...don't speak...can I get you something - you poor thing?" 

"Two men." 

"Two men...what did they want?" 

"Can I have some water please?" 

"Yes sure; here make yourself comfortable. You should be in hospital." Laura placed a pillow behind her head. 

She returned from the kitchen with a glass of water. 

"I was in hospital." 

"Who were these people...what did they want?" 

"You...they wanted you? They were looking for something, an address or phone number...someone you wrote about recently." 

"Someone I wrote about...oh no!" 

"I couldn't understand them. They spoke little English and they were shouting and screaming all the time. Oh Laura I was so scared." 

Laura stroked Helen's head. "I'm sure you were." She looked around the room. "Did they take anything?" 

"No, but they messed up your room pretty bad." 

"Adam...damn!" 

"Who?" 

"Someone I wrote about...I'm pretty sure they're after him." 

"Why do they want him?" 

"I don't know, it seems odd," Laura decided that it wasn't the time to be telling Helen the truth. "Are you sure they didn't take anything?"