
Hardwick had a very uncomfortable phone call from the Chief Superintendent. The reputation of the entire Norfolk Constabulary was on the line he was told. He was pondering this, and reading some papers on Warby’s desk when the sergeant returned.
“Sir, we’ve had a call and Young’s Corsa has been found abandoned on a side street over in Horning. It’s been there for some time, but everyone on the street thought it belonged to someone on a holiday let.”
* * *
Young had stood astonished at the sight of the naked young man. There was something threatening about him, despite him being exposed to the elements.
“I will be having that,” the pale figure said giving a nod to the gold chain.
There was something about the man’s piercing gaze that made Harvey almost involuntarily hand the locket over to him. The man undid the clasp and fastened the chain around his neck. “Where are your horses?” he said giving an inquisitive look towards Young’s Vauxhall.
“Horses?” Young questioned.
“For your coach,” the naked man replied.
“It’s a car. Are you daft?”
Harvey Young suddenly felt sweaty all over, and the man’s gaze made him feel as if his head was going to explode.
“Sorry, you’re not daft, please stop whatever you are doing,” Young pleaded.
The pain subsided.
“I will be needing some clothes, and if this contraption of yours doesn’t need horses, then you need to take me to the place I’ll be showing you,” the pale figure said.
Harvey opened the passenger side door and the man climbed in. Harvey then got in and started the engine. “Where to, mate, I mean, Sir?”
“Clothes,” was the only reply.
Young headed towards Yarmouth and drove into the Asda car park. It was nearing 10 PM when he stopped and said, “We can get clothes here,” and waited for further instructions.
“I will be watching you, and let there be no doubt that I will know everything you do. Is that understood?” the man said coldly.
“Yes,” Harvey croaked remembering the pain from earlier.
“Grand,” said the man.
Harvey got out of the car and approached the cashpoint, looking back a couple of times as he did. Even at the distance he could feel those piercing eyes upon him.
He withdrew the maximum £200 pounds that he was allowed, though he didn’t quite understand why he took out so much, then went into the superstore and bought a black polo top, a pair of black jogging bottoms, and a pair of trainers. He seemed instinctively to know what sizes to buy, and then he returned with his purchases to the car.
The young man dressed and then said, “Wroxham.”
It was in the wee hours that the pale figure had Young park in a layby. “Now we walk,” the man said.
It did not take too long before the shadowy outline of an abandoned boathouse came into view. It was in need of repair, and vines had begun to encroach in places.
“Do you see this place?” the dark-eyed figure asked.
“Yes,” Harvey replied.
“You need to return to me here by tomorrow night.”
Though escape was all that was on Young’s mind, he nevertheless said, “Tomorrow, then.”
Harvey returned to his car and fell into a sleep haunted by the ever present image of the man’s eyes.
Padre
Visitor in the Night: Part 1
Visitor in the Night: Part 2
Visitor in the Night: Part 3
Visitor in the Night: Part 4
Visitor in the Night: Part 5
Visitor in the Night: Part 6