Chapter 29
Puck's Dell, Stumblefrith Forest, Wealdshire. Saturday 23 May 1998
As he carried Jaine-Marie from the Rainbow van through the trees to Puck's Dell, Bounce had more important things to think about than the half pint of bitter which he had been looking forward to sinking at The Poachers Arms. After the incident on Chalkpit Lane, no-one had given the pub a second glance as they drove past it. As soon as Shadow had seen the girl in the road, he had jumped on the brake pedal — and the three occupants of the van were glad that they had been wearing their seat belts. The van had skidded sideways and it was impossible to see what had happened to the girl.
'There may be a bloke with a gun behind us,' Shadow had shouted as he undid his harness. 'Can you go and check, Bounce?'
Bounce had checked. And he had gulped when he saw that Shadow was right. Not a stone's throw away from him was a stocky little man with a gun in his hand. Bounce had stood still and waited to see what would happen. The man had done likewise. Bounce kept replaying the scene in his mind as if it was a slow motion sequence in a movie. He watched the man unhurriedly raising the gun and then firing. He saw himself slowly throw his arms up as he was hit, and then gradually sink to the ground. This was all in his imagination, though. What actually happened was that as soon as the man had turned his head, looking as if he was about to run away, Bounce had started to rush forward. If it hadn't been for Shadow calling him back, he wasn't sure what might have happened. Maybe he would have ended up with a bullet hole in his chest. He couldn't decide whether he'd been a hero to chase after the gunman, ot a complete idiot. He hadn't asked Misty and Shadow for their opinion but he got the impression that there had been a hint of admiration in their expressions as he trotted back to the van. He'd found the two of them holding on to a girl in school uniform. She appeared to be in pain but there weren't any indications that the van had hit her. They'd helped her into the vehicle and then set off for the camp.
The girl had said nothing during the short journey. Sitting in the back with Bounce, she had just stared out of the window as if her mind was elsewhere. He had tried to get her talking but, when he asked what had happened, she had made no response. Misty had asked her where she wanted to be taken to, and Shadow had asked her her name. Silence.
'Where shall I put her?'Bounce wanted to know when he reached the camp.
'Sit her down by the fire,' suggested Misty. 'I expect she could do with a drink.' She walked across to where the water was stored in plastic containers and filled an enamel mug. She took it back to the fire and held it out to the girl. 'Here you are,' she said, 'It's only water, but it's okay.'
Jaine-Marie, staring at the flames in the fire, took the mug and said nothing. Misty looked at Shadow and raised her eyebrows. She flicked her head sideways to signal that she wanted a word out of earshot of the girl. They moved away from the fire and looked back. The girl was holding the mug in both hands but not drinking.
'Do you think she's in shock?' Shadow asked.
Misty shock her head. 'Maybe. I'm damn sure that I would be if someone with a gun had been chasing me.'
'What are we going to do with her?'
Misty shrugged. 'Nothing for the moment. Let's see if she starts talking. I'd like to know what's happened to her before we call the police. Apart from a pain in her foot she seems to be okay physically. I don't think there's any rush to do anything. At least — not where the girl's concerned. But we ought to do something about that man.'
'What do you suggest?'
'Is your mobile working?'
'Yeah.'
'Give the police a ring. Make it anonymous. Just say that you've seen someone with a gun in Chalkpit Lane.'
'Yeah. Okay.'
While Shadow went off to his bender to find his mobile and call the police, Misty walked back to the fire. She was disappointed to see that the girl hadn't moved. The mug was still full of water and she seemed mesmerized by the flames.
'Who's this? Has someone come to join us?' a voice called.
Misty smiled as she saw Martha sliding down the rope from her tree house. 'I don't know, Martha. I'm hoping she'll tell us something about herself in a moment,' said Misty, transferring her smile from Martha to the girl. Misty crouched down by the side of Jaine-Marie and spoke softly to her. 'That's Martha and my name is Misty. Do you want to tell us your name?' Misty thought she saw the girl's lips begin to move but they soon tightened again. 'Take your time. As soon as you're ready to talk, we're ready to listen. You don't have to tell us who you are if you don't want to. Just tell us what you want to do.' Misty stood up and gestured to Martha to follow her.
A few minutes later they were joined by a grim-faced Shadow. 'What's up?' asked Martha. 'Misty has told me what happened. Did the police say anything?'
Shadow nodded but said nothing for a moment. 'What is it?' asked Misty.
Shadow pursed his lips and blew threw them. 'I told the police that we'd seen a man with a gun near that cottage in Chalkpit Lane. They wanted to know who I was but I said I wasn't prepared to give my name at the moment. I did give them my mobile number, though. They asked if I would be willing to call in at the police station and give them some details. I said I wasn't sure. I was a bit puzzled because they didn't seem to be in any rush to send anyone out there to investigate. When I asked if anyone was on their way to the scene — I was told that the police were already there, investigating an accident, and my cooperation would be much appreciated. I think I'd better go to the police station.'
'Are you going to tell them about the girl?' Misty asked.
'I don't know. Maybe I'd better go and ask her what she wants me to do.'
Martha and Misty agreed that that was sensible.
Shadow sat down by Jaine-Marie and told her that was going to the police station. 'I can either tell them how we found you in the road — or I can say nothing. What do you want me to do?' He didn't know what to expect, but he was completely taken aback when the girl looked him straight in the eye and sneered — before resuming her inspection of the fire. Shadow stood up and couldn't think what to say. He watched her for a while and then, just before walking away, said, 'I'll decide whether to mention you when I get to the police station.'
What a bunch of scruffbags, thought Jaine-Marie. Him with that long hair hanging over his face. God knows when his jumper and jeans last saw the inside of a washing machine. I thought my clothes were grubby, but compared with his . . .. She didn't look much better. Who wears a jumper that hangs down to their knees these days? And that black hair! I love the length but how can she put up with those stupid beads? As for that Bounce bloke. Yuk. The older woman looked okay — dressed like someone taking their dog out for a walk instead of a weirdo. But what's she doing with these lowlife? What was the first one called? Shadow? Hmmm. Stupid name but nice eyes. Might look better if he had a decent shave. I wonder what their game is. Called the police, they said. Rubbish. There are no phones round here. I really jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. Did they set it all up? They arranged for me to escape and got their van in just the right place at the right time. If the fatty with the gun had had nothing to do with them, he would have shot them. They're all in it together. The gun was probably a dummy. But how did they know I was going to try to escape? None of this makes sense. Maybe it was a coincidence that they caught me. Wait a minute — I bet the man who left the cottage is the same one who's just been talking to me — Shadow. That's it. He just happened to come back as I got to the road. No, that can't be right. His voice is different. That doesn't mean anything, though. Why did they ask me if I wanted them to tell the police about me? Probably wanted to find out whether I was likely to be a good hostage or an awkward one. Now that I've escaped from the cottage they've had to change their plans. I'll just sit here and say nothing. As soon as I get my chance, I'll run off. No, I won't — I've sprained my ankle. I'll have to hobble off. I'll wait till it's dark. Ah — just had a thought. Next time they ask me my name, I'll tell them. I'll watch their faces. If they look really surprised when they find out I'm the daughter of Andrew Starling — then I may start to think they had nothing to do with my being kidnapped.
Shadow returned at midday. He went into a huddle with all the others to tell them what had happened at the police station. Every now and then, one of the group would glance across at Jaine-Marie. I wish they'd hurry up and ask me who I am, she thought. I'm dying for the loo but I'm not going to ask anyone where it is. I dread to think what their loo is like. It probably makes a pisspot seem like luxury. Uh-oh. Here they come. Jaine-Marie quickly switched her gaze back to the flames before someone noticed that she had been watching them.
Hooter, Falcon, and most of the others in the group went straight to the kitchen to grab a late breakfast or an early lunch. Bounce remembered that he hadn't unloaded the steel plates. Shadow, Misty and Martha walked towards Jaine-Marie, sat down on the logs which served as seats, and looked at her.
'I expect you want to know if I told the police about you,' Shadow said, and waited for some sort of response.
No, I want you to ask me my name before I wet my pants, Jaine-Marie replied in her head.
'Did you know the man with the gun?' asked Martha.
No answer. Misty tried. 'Look, we'd really like to help you. Whatever you may think — we want to be friends.'
Ask me my name!
'What should we call you?' asked Shadow.
Damn. I wasn't ready for that. Why didn't he say, 'What's your name?' My bladder is going to burst in a minute.
Misty reached out slowly and placed a hand on Jaine-Marie's arm. 'Come on,' she coaxed, 'tell us your name.'
The girl looked up from the fire. 'My name is Jaine-Marie Starling.' As she spoke, she studied the three faces carefully.
'Pleased to meet you, Jaine-Marie,' said Martha.
'Jaine-Marie — nice name,' said Misty.
'Starling!' Shadow exclaimed. 'You . . . aren't . . . by any chance . . . related to . . . Andrew Starling, are you?'
Jaine-Marie nodded.
She watched Shadow carefully. His reaction was important. He closed his eyes, blew through his lips, rubbed the side of his face, and then started to grin. 'Amazing,' he said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Jaine-Marie. 'I assume he's your dad.'
She nodded again. He genuinely looked surprised. More than surprised — like he said, amazed.
'How . . .' Shadow started. 'What . . . were you doing when we found you?'
She wanted to say that it was pretty damn obvious what she was doing — trying to get away from a crazed gunman — but she actually said, 'I was kidnapped.'
'Kidnapped!' they all chorused.
'Who by?' asked Misty.
'By whom?' asked Martha.
'I don't know. Two men.'
'When did they kidnap you?' Martha wanted to know.
'Where were you kidnapped?' Misty asked.
'How long ago did it happen?' Shadow enquired.
'I'll tell you all about it in a minute.' Jaine-Marie looked embarrassed. 'Could I . . .' When she started to get to her feet, Martha understood and said she would show her where the loo was.
'Phew! What are we going to do about this?' Shadow wondered.
Misty shrugged. 'I guess we'll have to tell her father.'
'He'll be dead chuffed if he has to come here to pick her up. He'd never do it. He hasn't got enough bottle to do that. Walking into the enemy camp to collect his daughter? No way. He'll probably think we kidnapped her. We'll have to be a bit careful here.'
'Do you want to get some publicity out of this?' Misty asked.
'I dunno. They say that all publicity is good publicity — but if the media started putting it about that we'd abducted his daughter — I somehow don't think that would do us much good.'
'Let's play it by ear then. See how it goes.'
When Jaine-Marie returned with Martha, she seemed to be more relaxed, but it was obvious that there was a lot going on inside her head.
She didn't like the look of these weird people, she didn't agree with their protest, and she certainly didn't approve of the way they lived — especially their sanitary arrangements, and certainly couldn't accept Martha's view that human waste soon broke down in the soil and it was a criminal act to flush millions of gallons of water down toilet bowls every day. Bunch of nutters, she thought, but they did rescue me, and they seem very concerned about me. Still weirdos, though. No reason why you can't have nice weirdos, I suppose. She was jolted out of her reverie by Shadow asking if she would tell them what had happened.
When she had finished her story, her throat felt dry. 'Could I have a drink?' she asked.
Martha jumped up. 'Tea, coffee or water?'
'I don't suppose you have a coke, do you?'
'I could see if someone's got one — but it'll be warm.'
Jaine-Marie screwed her nose up. 'Tea, then?'
'Okay, what about something to eat.' Seeing the look of indecision on her face, Martha helped her out. 'We have some cold lentil pie, muesli, apples, oat cakes—'
'Muesli would be fine — thank you.'
Good God, thought Misty, she almost smiled then.
Shadow started laughing. 'So you tipped a pisspot over a villain, eh? Would you say that he was a bit surprised?'
Jaine-Marie couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing and couldn't stop. It was as if someone had removed a plug and all the tension which had built up during the last few days was draining away. When she finally stopped, and had wiped the tears from her eyes, she looked quite a different person from the sullen girl who had been rescued earlier.
'Do you feel better now?' asked Misty.
Jaine-Marie nodded.
Misty put her arm around her. 'You've been through a lot. It'll take you a while to get over it.'
The tears came again — real tears this time. Jaine-Marie buried her face in Misty's shoulder and cried and snivelled and sobbed and whimpered until there were no tears left. She no longer felt tense but her mind was still in a turmoil. She felt frustrated because there were so many questions and conflicts in her head. She didn't know how to react to these people. They looked like cretins but seemed to be more genuine than anyone she had ever met before. Why hadn't her father tried to find her? Who were those people who had kidnapped her? Were they still after her?
She suddenly sat up straight, a look of alarm on her face. 'Those men,' she whispered. 'What if they come here looking for me?'
'Why would they come here?' Misty asked.
'They saw your van. They must know it came from here.'
Shadow had been waiting for an opportunity to break the news. 'The man with the gun won't be coming here — and the other one didn't see us.'
'What do you mean? How do you know he won't come here?'
'Because . . . he's dead.'
Jaine-Marie looked horrified. Had Bounce murdered him when he'd gone back along the road?
'The police told me,' Shadow said. 'It was a hit-and-run. Someone driving back from The Poachers Arms saw it happen. A car was coming the other way and ploughed straight into the bloke. He didn't stand a chance. The driver just kept going and forced the other car off the road. It wasn't his fault that he hit someone. The gunman was running towards him in the middle of the road on a blind bend. I guess there's a chance that the driver was the other kidnapper. That would explain why he kept going.'
Jaine-Marie looked stunned. More conflict. Should she feel pleased that the man was dead — or sad? Was it her fault that he was no longer alive?
Martha guessed what was going through her mind. 'Don't worry, Jaine-Marie. It wasn't your fault. You didn't ask him to kidnap you or chase you when you escaped.'
Shadow stood up and stretched. 'Now, Miss Starling. What are we going to do with you? Do you want to ring your parents?' When she didn't reply but reverted to staring at the fire, Shadow suggested that he should ring her father.
Jaine-Marie grimaced. 'I don't know,' she said. 'I ought to but . . .'
'I think someone has to tell him. Do you want me to call him?'
'Would you? Yes please. Thanks.'
'He'll be at home, won't he? It's Saturday.'
'No. You'll probably catch him at work. He's been having to work Saturday mornings for the last few months.'
Shadow could guess why.