(aka Bike) Part 1060 by Angharad Copyright © 2010 Angharad
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I took the girls to school next morning, and dashed back home to watch the press conference on the local TV channel. Julie and Billie were pestering me to let them go shopping, and as they had their own money to spend, I agreed they could go. There was a bus in about ten minutes. Seeing as Julie is sixteen and Billie nine, I thought they’d be okay on their own–Julie has so much confidence now, she’d be okay with Billie and besides, they could phone me if there was a problem.
I sat glued to the box, and watched while a senior officer spoke about the old lady and how she’d been brutally murdered for her purse and the fifty pounds it contained and how her murder had led to the death of her husband who collapsed and died when he received the bad news .
I’m not sure I’d have described the murder as brutal, more accidental but the robbery was directly responsible for the death, so it was murder. They played Trish’s video and attributed it to her, describing her as a very intelligent six year old daughter of a university teacher.
As there must be dozens if not hundreds of university teachers in or around Portsmouth or Southampton, I didn’t feel too aggrieved at the description in identifying us as a family.
The man was still at large at the time I was watching the press conference, although the police were very confident they would identify him in the next day or so and then catch him soon after. I switched off the telly and got on with some admin work on the survey–I had some letters for Tom to comment on before I responded.
On the sightings of weird and wonderful things, we had the usual large black cat killing sheep reports from Cornwall and Somerset, which I discounted, despite the photos one of the reports included. Anyone who knows anything about how big cats kill should know that they ankle tap the victim, crush the chest with a thump from a front paw, and then asphyxiate by clamping on the trachea with their powerful jaws.
Dogs however, attack anywhere they can get a hold and will rip the throat out of a poor sheep to kill it. The photos showed just that, a dog kill–the report went into the reject box.
Stella and I had a sandwich for lunch and so did Puddin’, who was now crawling a bit. She sat and chewed and sucked on the crust of bread she had. She was teething and biting anything and everything.
“Where’s Julie and Billie?” she asked, Stella not Puddin’.
“They went shopping, Julie wants a new skirt or something and Billie just wants to look round the shops–they’ve both got some money, so why not?”
“Have they caught that bloke yet?”
“The mugger?”
“Yep, him.”
“Dunno, they hadn’t this morning.”
“Put the news on.”
So I switched on the local radio programme for the one o’clock news. According to that the police had had hundreds of calls identifying the mugger and were hoping to make an arrest soon.
“The old chap died as well then?”
“Yes, he died of shock I suppose, he was eighty two or something.”
“Two birds with one stone,” commented Stella, “or a double whammy.”
“Sadly, yes.” I agreed.
“When do the kids break up?”
“The girl’s tomorrow, Danny on Friday.”
“Any plans?”
“Sometime I have to organise a wedding blessing.”
“Got your dress yet?”
“You know I haven’t.”
“Perhaps we should go looking very soon.”
“Who’s going to look after the kids?”
“Julie can, she is sixteen and being paid for the privilege, what about this home help you keep on about?”
“I gave Simon the job description. He was supposed to be drawing up some adverts and publishing them in the local paper.”
“I’ll remind him when he comes home,” she grinned. Any chance she had to nag Simon, she loved, especially if she could tease him as well.
I cleared up, Stella changed Puddin’ and put her down for a nap.
“What d’you think of these short shorts all the youngsters are wearing?” Stella asked showing me a picture of some Hollywood starlet looking absolutely ghastly in them.
“If you have the legs for them, I suppose they’re alright.”
“You have nice legs, why don’t you get a pair?”
“I’m twenty five, Stella, not fifteen.”
“Sorry, I forgot you were so elderly–twenty five year olds are wearing them, you muppet.”
“Not banker’s wives with millions of kids.”
“Why not? You act as if you were a hundred and twenty five. Simon is twenty nine, not ninety nine.”
“I have a wedding dress to sort out when I have time to shop for clothes.”
“You won’t find one of those in bloody Asda.”
“Why, have you been looking in there?” I teased.
Her eyes narrowed, “No, but I checked in Tesco for you,” she finished up with a tongue poking. I chose to ignore her.
“Have you looked on line?” She said after thinking for a moment.
“What, on Tesco?”
“No, you muppet, in various bridal shops–there’s quite a few on line.” So that’s what we did. I was astonished at the range available, some of which were pure delight and others, I wouldn’t have been seen dead wearing.
“Do you want a train?”
“I thought we were going by car,” I replied, playing dumb.
Stella glared, “I suppose I asked for that. Oh look at this one.” She pointed to a rather delicious looking dress with a scooped neck and long narrow sleeves which came to a point on the back of the hand. The skirt was quite full and gave way to a short train. “You would look lovely in that.”
“I dunno, Stel, I'd look all arse and tits.”
“So? Simon would enjoy it.”
“I thought he’d be wearing a suit, but I don’t care...”
She slapped me on the arm, “Here, what time have you got to get the girls?”
I glanced at my watch, “Damn, I’ll have to go in a moment–don’t get them on this, we’ll never get the computer back, and I want to make the choice, not them.”
“Okay, okay–keep your ‘air on, missus.”
It was still raining so I pulled on my thin jacket which was supposed to be shower resistant. I wondered if that included wedding showers, whatever they were–something American. Well I wasn’t having one, that was for sure. Once we’d sorted a date, we’d have to ask that little girl from the hospital, Daisy, if she still wanted to be a bridesmaid. Oh boy, why didn’t we just forget it, after all we’ve been married for a few months now–and this would be just a pointless expense.
I was absently walking towards the door when the phone rang. “Hello?”
“Mummy, help.”
“Billie?” My heart almost stopped. “Billie, are you alright?”
“Listen good, bitch,” said a male voice and I felt physically sick. “I got your two girls. If you testify–they die, understand?”
The phone went dead––
Comments
Well apparently, you've encountered a handy cliff...
and decided to dangle us off it!
I'm beginning to wonder though, do you own stock in a cliff construction company or something?
I must say its not an uncomfortable dangle, I get the idea that Billie and Julie can take care of themselves once they put their minds to it and Cathy is no slouch in that department either. What I really wonder is, is she gonna wind up having to blue-light the kidnapper after the kids are done with him?
Abby
Well, here we go again,
Well, here we go again, another dunderhead that just doesn't know that he should NOT be messing Cathy and/or her family members. I can see Cathy going for her bow and arrows and heading out for this jerk. I do have to fault her a little, for allowing the girls to go out and about while the killer was on the loose. She should have waited until he was captured. Jan
Uh oh!
Thanks A+B, that's a doozy of a cliffhanger, and well up to your usual standards.
The question in my mind right now is how did the murderous mugger manage to link Jule and Billie with Cathy? I guess he can now add kidnapping to his charge sheet. That is, if Cathy doesn't get to, and deal with him first!
I wonder if there's any way for the police (once they've been contacted) to trace the cellphone and the threatening call via GPS.
Have no fear dear authors, I'll be back for the next exciting episode in this engrossing saga.
Preemptive Strike
Bike Resources
I thought as i was
reading this chapter , Every thing is running too smoothly, Whats going to go wrong?
And now we have the answer...
Wonder if the thief knows just who he is taking on ....
Methinks he will soon find out!
Kirri
I suppose the question is
Where are the Oik and the kids? Oh, and how did he get both?
I knew it would end like this when Julie and Billie went shopping without Supermum.
Susie
Typical!
Given that neither Julie nor Billie were with Cathy on the day of the mugging, they've been with her for less than a year, and haven't attracted any media attention, how did our perpetrator connect them to Cathy?
As to what to do, simple: phone Henry. Since Portsmouth Police still can't identify Cathy and her influence, Henry's much more likely to put a proverbial bomb up their backsides: CCTV footage from the town centre, mobile phone triangulation etc. than if Cathy asked the police to investigate.
The threat's likely to be empty, because as far as we know the criminal was working alone, hasn't been arrested yet, and once arrested would be very unlikely to be let out on bail until the trial (probably in about six months' time). If she testifies, then he isn't exactly going to be available to do any harm.
EAFOAB Episode Summaries
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
I feel sorry for...
... the kidnapper. Apparently he hasn't heard about the troubles of messing with Cathy and the family.
Interesting plot twist; I'm interested to see exactly how Cathy handles this, and how the cops mess this one up (if Cathy lets them).
Brilliant piece as usual, thanks for it.
They Already Messed Up
The police already messed up by telling everyone that they got their evidence from a six year old's cell phone camera. They should have waited until the guy was caught before they did that.
Hate to say, "Crisis Oriented".
Still, I thought that things were a bit too calm. Poor bugger don't know what sort of bloody hell he's got his self into.
K :)
Easy As Falling Off A Bike pt 1060.
How did he know to nab them? And is he related to the cad who offed the lady? Or is this something else?
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Baffled
This seems like such a low-probability event. This is a common mugger, not a criminal mastermind, the Russian mafia, or even the CIA. Some further elucidation is going to be required as to how this came to pass.
And, speaking of masterminds, with the video, the police very likely don't even need eyewitness testimony to obtain a conviction.
Be that as it may, I'm trying to remember if Cathy has manifested all the powers she'll need to free her children singlehandedly yet. I'm thinking... yes. Of course, it's always possible she'll surprise us and manifest a new power, or new permutation of one of the powers she already has. I'd really rather not have her turn into a "death angel", though, by being able to stop bad guys' hearts, for example.
___________________
If a picture is worth 1000 words, this is at least part of my story.
I Don't Know Why They Didn't Think?
I don't know why it didn't occur to them that the S.O.B would still be a danger to the girls until he was caught? Cathy should never have let them go shopping by themselves because of it. The police should never have advertised on TV about Trish's camera phone catching him in the act. That info should never have been broadcast at ALL. I hope Cathy sues the idiots for a lot more money when this is over.
First Paragraph
That was all it took. There was no doubt what was going to happen. Boy, was there a lot of dumb going on!
Portia
Portia
blue light the kidnapper?
I might stop his lights, after doing this. I knew it was getting too quiet. around the manse.
Is this the late show or something?
Crickey Angharad, you keep some late hours. I was debating whether to read this now after an exhausting day.
I haven't read it yet and that shows just how knackered I am.
I'm going to comment on Friday when I've for more time.
Night-night.
Beverly.
I think He needs to pay more attention
to the news. Of course he may have been watching the news conference clip right behind the girls and they probably said that's Trish's Work. Still sort of like signing his own death warrant.
5 gold stars
Goddess Bless you
Love Desiree
Goddess Bless you
Love Desiree
People should learn,
The only thing more dangerous than messing with Cathy is messing with her kids. Reverse blue light time.
Indeed
This will not take long. It could even come to pass everyone (the mugger) survives. We may even have a new transgender character (well, maybe not, just someone needing repair SRS).
Now that's more like it
'If you testify, you bitch", Sounds American doesn't it.
Right in the middle of planning the ceremony to be held in the castle, Cathy gets this phone call.
If I were her, the first call I'd make is to Henry, no fooling around.
Cefin