J & P Book 5 - Never Let Me Go

Chapter Fifteen

He pulled up just up the road from Jenny's house; of course he was already aware that his instincts had been spot on and something terrible had happened, as he had seen the ambulance, three police vehicles, and, worst of all, a forensics van outside the house.

He ran out of the car, but before he could reach the crime scene tape which surrounded the property he was met by an officer. "I'm sorry sir, but you can't come any nearer."

"I need to know what's happened.. I'm family!" he demanded.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you anything.."

"Is everyone alright? Please tell me everyone is okay?"

"I can only suggest you call the station, sir. I'm sorry. I can't let you any nearer."

He threw his head back in frustration and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He called Jenny. It went straight to voicemail. He didn't have a number for Paul; he would have to call the police station. First, he walked a few steps away from the house, and called his parents.

"Patrick, love, have you found her?"

"No, but this is important Mum, just keep an eye on Andrew. Don't let him out of your sight. Something really bad has happened, and I've got a bad feeling that it has something to do with the woman who took him last time. Claire's friend. I think why she's been acting so strangely."

"Right you are, love, can you tell me any more?"

"I can't, Mum. I have to go. Just keep him safe."

He hung up and was just about to call the police when he had a call from Claire.

"Claire, thank God, where are you?"

"I'm at the train station. With Baby. Baby has Grace. I'm getting her back."

"On my way," he replied and dashed to the car. It was about a ten minute drive to the station from here. On a Sunday afternoon he thought he could do it in seven. He got behind the wheel and accelerated off. He tried not to think, tried to focus on Claire and keeping her and Andrew's little sister safe, but inevitably thoughts of what the dangerous, demented Elizabeth had done to Jenny and Paul here this afternoon were battling to the forefront of his mind. Had she returned to finish what she'd started when she'd taken Andrew, attacking Jenny again? Or had she followed through on the threat he knew that she'd made to kill Paul if he and Jenny remained together? Worse still, had she done both?

***

He pulled into the station car park and without worrying about the need to display a ticket he dashed inside. He was aware of a number of police vehicles around the front of the station and made a beeline for the nearest officer he could see, there were a good few milling around.

"Excuse me I'm looking for my wife, Claire Smalley.. She called me.."

The police officer nodded across to the waiting area. "Over there, sir."

"Thank you."

"She's been quite the hero, by all accounts. Did everything properly. Good outcome."

"Right. Okay, thanks." Patrick wasn't sure how to respond to that, as he still didn't know the full story, but as soon as he felt it was appropriate to do so he ran in the direction that the officer had pointed to the station waiting room. He could see there were police officers around there too; but he just needed to get to Claire to see if she was okay.