The Netherwell Horror Page 8

  ‘Got a snooper out here,’ the husband said. ‘She was the one calling the phone all day yesterday, disturbing us while we were out doing our gardening. Bit of a nuisance, I think.’

  ‘Oh, stop being silly, George,’ the lady said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘You really do know how to think the worst of people.’ The woman flashed Beth a charming smile and joined her husband on their lawn, standing on the other side of the boundary wall. She extended her arm over it. ‘My name is Sadie, dear. Sadie Orson. Sorry about my husband.’

  Beth smiled and shook Sadie's hand. ‘Pleased to meet you, Sadie,’ she replied.

  ‘Is there something we can help you with? George said he spoke to a person yesterday who was calling this phone. Are you looking for someone?’

  ‘Actually, I am. Someone called me from it early yesterday morning. I’m looking for them.’

  ‘Josh?’

  Beth was stunned into silence. Had the woman just named her brother? Did she know him? After standing open-mouthed for a few moments, Beth eventually gathered herself enough to respond. ‘Yes, that’s right. He’s my brother. You know him?’

  ‘A little,’ Sadie said. ‘You look a little like him. Sound like him, too.’

  ‘How did you know it was him who called me, though?’

  ‘I saw him, dear. Yesterday.’

  Beth scowled at George. ‘Yesterday your husband told me he didn’t see anyone.’

  ‘He didn’t,’ Sadie said. ‘He was out in town. But I saw Josh making a call out here, which was strange, as I can’t remember the last time I saw someone using this phone.’

  ‘Was he okay?’ Beth asked, finally feeling hopeful. This was a break. An honest-to-God break.

  ‘He looked a little distressed, I have to say,’ Sadie replied. ‘Something had shaken him.’

  ‘Where did he go after?’

  Sadie shrugged. ‘Ran off. Headed farther up the hill. Not sure where after that.’

  Beth nodded. It didn’t give her a lot to go on. Had he skipped town? Was she here for nothing?

  ‘I have to ask… do you know Josh well?’ Beth asked. ‘I was just surprised you knew him by name.’

  ‘I wouldn’t say well,’ Sadie answered.

  ‘He’s a bloody no-good nuisance,’ George cut in. ‘Always getting into trouble. He mixed with the wrong crowd.’

  Beth clenched her teeth together. She knew her brother wasn’t a saint, but hearing this man put Josh down angered her, more so because of who was doing the name-calling.

  ‘That’s my brother you’re talking about,’ Beth shot back. ‘And I don’t appreciate you talking about him that way.’

  ‘Then leave,’ George stated. ‘Go on, get!’

  Beth surged with anger.

  ‘George!’ Sadie snapped. ‘There is absolutely no need to talk to this lady like that.’

  ‘Well, I think—’

  ‘I don’t care what you think, George,’ Sadie said. ‘Now, you go inside and calm down.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘No buts! Leave the two of us to talk.’

  George looked back at Beth, scowling as he did, but eventually complied with his wife’s order and marched back inside. Beth forced herself to calm down. She dearly wanted to give that old fool a piece of her mind, but there were more important things at hand. Sadie somehow knew Josh, and could potentially help Beth locate him. So, Beth swallowed her anger. And her pride.

  ‘Thank you,’ Beth said. ‘I honestly don’t want an argument.’

  Sadie waved a hand. ‘Oh, I know that, dear. I’m good at reading people. You aren’t any trouble. You’ll… have to forgive my husband. He’s old and stubborn and pig-headed, but he has his reasons for being awkward with you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Beth asked.

  ‘Tell me, dear, is there a reason you are looking for your brother?’

  Beth paused. ‘I just want to make sure he’s okay.’

  ‘So you came to town just to check on him? Does that mean you have no other means to contact him?’

  ‘Well, I…’ Beth wasn’t sure how to answer. She didn’t know if she even wanted to. But she needed to know what Sadie knew, so she decided it was time for the truth. Or, at least, part of the truth. ‘In all honesty? I haven’t seen him for a number of years. I found out he was here when he called me, but I didn’t get chance to speak to him. I came here to see if he was okay.’

  ‘You two estranged?’

  ‘You could say that.’

  Sadie nodded her understanding. ‘That sounds like Josh, I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t know him well, but he has been here in town for, oh, it will have been about two years or so now.’

  ‘Two years?’ Beth asked. ‘I’ve never known him to stay anywhere that long.’

  ‘Well, I think it is the company he keeps that made him stick around. He has become quite involved with Alicia Kent, a local girl.’

  That made more sense to Beth. ‘Okay. Any idea where I can find this Alicia?’

  ‘I’m not sure exactly where she lives, but her uncle owns a few places here in town. William Kent is quite a well-connected man. But, I’m afraid to say, he’s not someone I’d choose to associate with.’

  A picture began to form in Beth’s mind. It wasn’t a stretch to assume the reason for Josh’s panicked call was because he had gotten caught up in something with the wrong crowd. The murders on the beach were forefront in her thinking.

  Please, Josh, I hope to God you’ve not done something stupid.

  ‘Josh isn’t a bad person, Sadie,’ Beth said, more to convince herself than the old lady before her. ‘He really isn’t.’

  ‘Well, that may be. But the reason my husband was so keen to get rid of you, and the reason he denied knowing who made that call to you is because the Kents spell trouble. Josh too, unfortunately.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, I remember when I first noticed your brother in town. I have no idea what brought him here, but he was quite pleasant at first. Spoke to people, said he was just wandering through. But then the Kents got their claws into him. They have a way of doing that to people. And when they do, they don’t let go. I haven’t seen Josh since yesterday, dear, but if you want some friendly advice, if you are able to find him… pull him out of here. And quickly.’

  Beth was certain the woman would have heard about what happened yesterday on the beach—there was no way she wouldn’t in a small town like this. Beth wanted to ask Sadie about it, about the murders and if she thought Josh could be involved somehow. But Beth couldn’t bring herself to. It would all be pointless speculation anyway. What she needed from Sadie was a next step.

  ‘So, is there anywhere I can find William Kent, then?’ Beth asked. ‘You said he owns a few places in town.’

  Sadie nodded. ‘I’m not sure you want to find him, dear. But, if you must, I know his family owns the Heritage Centre. Bit of a pointless building in a town like this, if you ask me, but I think it’s just a vanity project. Their family has long been a part of the town’s history, so that place is really just around to flaunt it. It is usually open, so you might find someone inside who can tell you more. Could be a good place to start, without going to one of their homes.’

  ‘And what would be wrong with going to their homes?’

  Sadie smiled, but it was devoid of humour. ‘Their estate is protected by a security wall and is a little isolated. The Heritage Centre would be a little more… public. Less could go wrong, if you take my meaning.’

  Beth did take her meaning, but was shocked at what the woman was implying.

  Just what the hell kind of family had Josh gotten caught up with?

  ‘You’ll forgive me, Sadie, but this town just gets stranger and stranger.’

  ‘Well,’ Sadie replied, ‘I don’t suppose you are wrong—not that I know any different. I always joke with George that the town was named Netherwell because things here are never well.’

  Beth chuckled a little. ‘I g
uess the Heritage Centre is somewhere to start. Thank you.’

  ‘It’s no problem, my dear. I’d tell you not to go, as I really don’t think you should, but I can tell you aren’t the type to just let things lie. But be careful. I mean that.’

  ‘I will,’ Beth said, still a little stunned.

  Sadie nodded. ‘Then I’ll leave you to it. George needs his breakfast, and if I don’t feed him soon, he’ll get even more cranky, if you can believe it.’

  Beth wasn’t sure she could believe it.

  The two women said their goodbyes, and Sadie went inside, closing the door behind her.

  Beth’s head was spinning. She’d finally found a lead. The uneasy feeling in her gut when it came to Josh had only soured, and her hopes of finding him safe, or at least not up to his eyes in serious trouble, were fading fast.

  She set off towards the Heritage Society, which Beth remembered spotting on her drive the previous day. On the way, she called her friend and former colleague at the newspaper.

  Erland Cowell.

  She needed a little outside help and felt he could be just the person to lend it.

  14

  It was a late start for Jim.

  He was normally up and out on his walk at the crack of dawn. But today he had slept in, and even now felt exhausted. Much more so than normal on a morning. Even the fresh air didn’t do much to rejuvenate him.

  He had decided to avoid the beach today, knowing he probably wouldn’t be able to get on it anyway. So, instead, he had decided to simply make his way into town and stretch his legs. Jess kept looking up at him as the pair walked down the long bank of Old Town and towards a footbridge that would lead them into the town centre proper.

  The dog looked confused, as if she wanted to know why they weren’t taking their normal route. She loved the beach in any weather, and Jim felt a little bad knowing she would be disappointed today.

  ‘Sorry, girl,’ Jim said. ‘We might get back to our normal walk tomorrow.’

  Though Jim wasn’t certain, as he couldn’t be sure if it would be to the public again by then. In truth, he wasn’t sure he even wanted to be here in Netherwell anymore.

  He hadn’t felt that way since his youth.

  But, in the intervening years since that terrible night—when the town had seemed evil—things had improved. Hell, he’d found love with Ada, and they bought their first home here. Even during his tours away with the military, this place was always home.

  His life with Ada had been a happy one. Jim was still sad that he’d lost her a few years ago. He’d always felt, selfishly, that he should have gone first. However, he had found a level of comfort and acceptance in staying here to see out his life. Jim was contentedly waiting for the inevitable, when his body could be buried next to Ada’s and his soul would be reunited with hers.

  But, after yesterday morning, seeing those bodies in Hollows Cove suddenly made him feel like he was in his early twenties again. Barely a man.

  Back when the darkness was here last.

  Leaving would feel like a betrayal of Ada, who was waiting for him to join her in the local cemetery. Joining her when all was said and done was all he wanted out of whatever life remained.

  Or so he thought.

  Because if what he dreaded was true, and that evil was indeed back, then he had to re-evaluate things. He was around when the town had gone to hell last time. He knew there were some things worse than death.

  15

  The Heritage Centre was quite the imposing structure, nestled in between the more traditional town buildings of the street. This one, however, was taller, bolder than its neighbours, and though clearly not a church, had a hint of grandeur normally reserved for buildings of worship. Now that Beth stood before it, she could take in more details she had missed when driving past yesterday.

  Smooth grey stonework was framed and detailed by quoins on the building’s corners. Feature trims of thin, protruding stonework jutted out halfway up the front wall, and the windows all had feature stone surrounds from the sills to the arched heads. All of the external stone was the same colour, but this precise and often intricate detailing helped break up the elevation visually. A central, circular window on the upper floor, with stained glass, topped off the grandiose design. Beth stared at the higher window—and noticed movement beyond. Though it was little more than a few drifting shadows, she thought perhaps someone was on the other side.

  The main entrance door, which sat at the top of a couple of steps, was slightly open. It was black and heavy looking, tying in well with the cast-iron guttering, downpipes, and railings to the building’s frontage.

  Beth took a breath and moved to the front door, then pushed it open the rest of the way. Though heavy, it moved easily on the hinges, and Beth found herself in a small draft lobby with glazed doors. She pushed her way through those as well and then entered a large room, the perimeter walls of which were all lined with bookcases, glass display cabinets, tables and side tables, study desks, and a variety of pictures and artwork. The bookcases were filled to the brim with leather-bound books and tomes. The display cabinets contained what looked to be old artefacts of varying materials—metals, clays, stone, and fabrics—and the tables had on them hand-drawn maps and handwritten scrolls, all on parchment. Everything in the dusty room seemed old, even the wallpaper, which was two-tone green in light and dark vertical stripes. The floor underfoot was creaky, with dark-stained floorboards. While the walls that surrounded the room were packed with items, the open centre was spacious in contrast, with only a few empty desks and tables to fill the void. At the far side of the room there was a reception counter, and behind that, a closed wooden door with detailed panelling. A young man, who Beth assumed to be in his early twenties, sat at the desk, earphones in, leaning back, eyes closed and mouth open. Beth could hear the faint drone of music from the earphones, along with his nasally snoring. The only other sound was the steady tick-tock of a grandfather clock.

  She coughed, loudly, hoping to draw his attention. Either his sleep was too deep, or the headphones were blocking out her efforts. Likely both.

  She studied the young man. From this position, and with his head tilted back, Beth could make out a defined jawline, slight stubble, and bird-like features to his thin face, complete with a pointed nose that dropped close to his top lip. He had black hair worn in a centre parting, though it flopped back given his current head position. He was dressed in an off-white shirt and grey-coloured waistcoat, and Beth could just make out a pair of round, frameless glasses over his eyes. Overall, the man looked an odd mix of smart and scruffy. Given his relatively young age, Beth highly doubted that he was William Kent.

  Given the size of the building from the outside, Beth had expected the Heritage Centre to be huge, but it seemed to be just this single room. At least, that was all that looked to be accessible to the public. The door behind the reception desk had a steel sign blazed across it: Keep Out.

  So, this was it? A building this big and only one room in use for the public? The space appeared to be all that was on offer to showcase the town’s history.

  Beth walked slowly over to the reception desk, inspecting some of the pictures, scrolls, maps, and books. The maps, sketched in ink, were simply of the town through the ages, and they grew in size as the years progressed. The original settlement started on only one side of the river, then grew out over to the opposite landmass. The Heritage Centre appeared on a map dated 1867, and was called Kent House. One map had a pretty accurate sketch of the building’s frontage. Earlier versions on this spot, however, showed the footprint of a different building, with no other structures surrounding it. Scribbled cursive gave it a name, which Beth could just about read if she squinted. It was difficult to make out, but she was fairly sure it read: ‘Molech Church House.’

  The books on the shelves were a mixture of titles. Some were expected, such as Histories of the North East and North Yorkshire regions of the U.K. Others were on symbolism, some on the study of
geometry, and others on the moon, the solar system, early religions in the North of England, and others still had words that were alien to Beth: Canaanite, Ba’al, and others. Most of the books were leather-bound, but there were even simple collections of parchment and papers, bundled together with rope or twine. The objects on show in the display cases seemed to be what Beth would have expected to see from archaeological digs: old arrow heads, some small plates stained with dirt, and metallic emblems. Interesting, certainly, but fairly common finds throughout the country. Nothing that hadn’t been dug up in most towns and cities around country down the years. There were even a few books on the bloodline of the Kent family, it seemed, and Beth was reminded of Sadie’s words earlier in relation to the Heritage Centre.

  ‘I think it’s just a vanity project.’

  As fascinating as all of this might have been, it didn’t help Beth. She had come here for a reason: to find out more about this Alice Kent, who—it seemed—was Josh’s girlfriend. That could be Beth’s best chance to finally find her brother.

  She coughed again, louder this time. Still no reaction.

  ‘Fuck it,’ Beth mumbled to herself and walked over to the reception desk. A thick book lay on the desk’s surface, with blue leather covering, the front embossed with gold writing that read, A History of Mathematics: The Golden Ratio, The Fibonacci Sequence, and Pythagorean Theorem. Beth couldn’t imagine trying to read something so dull. If the steward had been reading this then no wonder he’d fallen asleep. It certainly was a subject that would have sent Beth into an early slumber. She picked up the book, which felt quite heavy in her grasp, lifted it to shoulder height with her arms extended before her, then let go.

  The tome dropped and slammed forcefully onto the desk with a thunderous bang. The young man jumped as he snapped from his sleep in shock, almost falling out of his seat. His eyes were wide, and he pulled in a surprised breath.