Crossing The Line Chapter 10 by Angharad Copyright© 2022 Angharad

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(title picture Andrea Piacquadio)

Back at the cottage, Maddy and Jules were standing by the disabled car. “I can’t believe anyone could be that mean,” said Jules, looking at the stain of the brake fluid on the drive.

“Oh, I can. The police told us not to mess with them, but what does Gaby have to do, but exactly that,” said Maddy. “They gave her a warning, by pushing her into the lake, and what does she do, attack back.”

“What?” said Jules, “How did she do that?”

“She spray painted the front of their house, with ‘drug dealer’, or something similar.

“You’re joking?” Jules was impressed by her sister’s courage and seeming stupidity. “Gabs did that?”

“Yep, the police came and bollocked her!”

“I’ll bet. No one complained?”

“Oh yeah, the Meadows complained, but the police advised them against it as they would have to investigate a dangerous driving incident, or something like it. Anyway, Gabs got away with it.”

“Well I knew she could be reckless, but that’s almost suicidal isn’t it?” Said Jules, “No wonder they don’t like her.”

“Oh that’s nothing, the boy that died, he was dealing drugs or money or something, and we notified the police and kept a watch ourselves. Nearly got caught once.”

“Who did?”

“We did, Gaby, me and Harry and William. At Radipole bird reserve, we had to dash into the bushes. It was scary, but fun if you know what I mean.”

“Oh no thanks,” said Jules feeling goosebumps rising on her skin. “So my bro...sister is like an amateur detective. What do they call them, sleuths or something.”

“I called her Nancy Drew earlier, she didn’t think too much of it. Unfortunately, it was out of my mouth before, I like, saw the implications, of Nancy and Drew.”

“Oh yeah, quite a coincidence though,” said Jules.

“Yeah, isn’t it. Here they are,” said Maddy, seeing the car turning into the drive.
Drew awoke just before they reached the cottage, a motorbike racing past disturbed his slumber. He was trying to hear what his parents were saying but the road noise and the engine drowned it out. They were talking in such whispers he felt sure they were talking about him. Then he wondered if they were being quiet not to disturb him, either way, he was missing out.

He yawned as he got out of the car, “Hi,” he called to the two girls, “Anything happen while I was away?” He was being corny, and he got his comeuppance.

“Yeah, someone slashed the brakes on the car,” said Maddy.

“What, like, deliberately?” Said an astonished Drew.

“Like it was an accident! Oh come on Gabs, wake up. You can see where they’ve been cut.” This caused Drew to return to full alertness faster than any alarm clock.

He looked at the pools of brake fluid and then at the severed pipes.

“Cor! That is deliberate. Did it happen while we were out or before?”

“Like we’d know that?” said Maddy sarcastically, “I’ve got better things to do than watch the car all day.”

“Well I’m sure Dad would have noticed it when he washed it last night, so it must have been done between then and when he came to get us.”

“Well done Sherlock,” said Maddy.

“Nancy,” sniggered Jules.

“What?” said Drew, “You been talking to Maddy?” He stood with his hands on his hips.

“Gaby, open the garage door please,” called Dave, who had been unloading the bike. Drew rushed over to assist. “Better make sure it’s locked from now on, just in case.”

Drew gulped, he could imagine what would happen if his brake cable snapped going down a steep hill, or even on the flat when he needed to stop quickly in traffic. Then someone else would do Meadows’ dirty work for him. It wasn’t a nice picture. He shuddered simply thinking of it. “I will don’t worry.”

“I think the sooner we get back home, the better,” said Dave, to anyone and no one. He looked at his car, rubbed his toe in the greasy fluid near the wheel and swore. The teens were all shocked, Dave hardly ever swore, but then it wasn’t every day he had his car sabotaged. Having vented his anger he went into the house.

Carol had made them jacket potatoes for their lunch, which they consumed hungrily, except Dave, he was still angry, and he played with his food more than ate it. As they finished lunch, so the police arrived. It was PCs Martin and Smith.

“Sorry to hear you’re having such problems,” said Andrea.

Dave let go some of his anger, “If you lot were doing your job properly, this maniac would have been caught.”

“We have had the helicopter fly over, and it will do so every night until you go home,” said Ben.

“They won’t see much in the dark, will they?” said Dave.

“Yes they will, they have infra red and night vision cameras. If anyone is about while they are flying over, they’ll see ‘em and the cavalry will be here in minutes. We want this guy as much as you, more in fact. He got away with murder once before. He won’t this time.”

“So it’s a murder case now?” asked Jenny, having argued with the police before about this very thing.

“It always has been,” said Ben.

“Not according to CID,” said Jenny.

“Don’t take too much notice of them, it’s uniformed who do all the work and who actually apprehend the villains.”

“There will also be patrols passing your gate several times during the night, anyone suspicious will be arrested,” said Andrea.

“How often is several?” asked Dave.

“They’ll vary it, so as to avoid making a pattern,” answered Andrea.

“That sounds sensible, so we might at last catch him.”

“I do hope so, we’re doing all we can. Should we see the car?” asked Andrea, and Dave led them out to the scene of the crime. “We’ll get SOCO out, just in case there’s any prints, but he could have used gloves, or even got one of his friends to do it.”

“I wondered if it wasn’t a bit too deliberate. You know, rather than kill us, frighten us,” said Dave, “If so, it worked.”

“I expect it makes you angry as well,” said Ben, “Whatever you do, don’t have a go yourself. This guy is nasty and is often armed.”

“Alright, I promise, I’ll call you lot if I see anyone hanging about,” Dave said, not noticing a diminutive figure behind him whispering, that she hadn’t promised anything, and this time it was personal! If anyone had, they would have thought she was being either silly or completely mad, or pretending to swagger like some action hero, but ‘Drew Schwarzenegger’ didn’t care. Threats to himself, he could take. To his family, it was too much and he was now determined that somehow Meadows would be caught and he, Drew, was going to help make it happen.

The police loaned Dave some remote alarms which could be put near the two cars to detect movement. “Won’t foxes and cats, set them off?”

“Not if you put them about thirty inches off the ground. They’ve got stakes to push into the ground, you just make sure you line them up to the reflector. The batteries will last for about a week.”

“Bit of string okay for the lining up?” asked Dave, being practical.

“I was just going to say that, yeah, that would be ideal. I can see you’re a practical man,” said Ben flatteringly.

“After years of fixing bikes, it tends to make you so,” said Dave smiling, he felt much better for the police visit and their help. His anger had abated somewhat as well.

Drew helped his father position the alarms, holding the string and when required testing the beam. The noise was a harsh siren of ear splitting proportions. Any cat or fox which disturbed them, would probably have a heart attack on the spot. Dave had planted the beams to cover the cars and the drive, they were semi hidden in the bushes, and in the dark would be pretty well invisible. He decided to save power, they would only use them after dark and he would activate them. They were also to keep all doors and windows shut and locked. The siege had begun.

Drew began to feel like Lady Bankes and her famous siege at Corfe castle. “Maybe I should get a long skirt?” he said to himself. Fortunately, no one else was close enough to hear it. “Maybe John could lend us one of his bows?” said Drew to Jules.

“I doubt it, anyway, how do you know he does toxophily? “

“What? Harry told me he did archery,” said Drew looking disappointed.

“He does.”

“Then what’s this toxic whatever?”

“It’s the posh name for archery. He won’t lend you a bow because they cost a small fortune and are very dangerous. With your luck, you wouldn’t be able to pull it and would shoot yourself if you could.”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” said Drew, feeling rather put down.

“Look Gabs, the police have told us to leave it to them. They have a much better chance of doing it than you, despite your urge to play Miss Marple.”

“Who?” said Drew.

“Come on Gabs, you must have seen Miss Marple?” Jules was now despairing of her brother. “Joan Hickson, plays her, an elderly woman who knows everyone’s business in the village and catches the crooks or murderers, usually murderers.”

“Can’t we send for her then?” said Drew pretending to be stupid, but he was actually having a wind up with his sister. He knew who Miss Marple was and Joan Hickson. He didn’t watch it, but he knew who each was. He wasn’t going to let Jules know that for the moment, it was far more fun to play stupid and kid her along. They were skills he would use in racing as time went on, and he was honing them to reasonable sharpness on his sister and occasionally Maddy.

“When can we get the car fixed?” asked Jenny.

“Once the police have done a test for fingerprints,” said Dave.

“I’m surprised they didn’t have a dog handler around, see if that man was hiding in the area,” said Carol, “I hope he doesn’t touch my car, I’ve not long had it back after the accident.”

The phone began to ring and Dave went to answer it. They heard him talking and then he came back to the lounge. “That was the Coroner’s office, they won’t need you lot for a couple of weeks, so we could go home.”

“What do you think?” asked Carol. Jenny shrugged her shoulders.

“I’d like to,” said Dave, “I also think Gaby would be safer at home.”

“But what if this nutter follows us?” said Carol.

“At least we’ll be on home ground,” retorted Dave.

“Yeah, but there’d be two properties to protect, and lots more comings and goings,” Carol suggested.

“Look, I’d feel a lot happier trying to protect my family in my own home,” said Dave, “I can’t put it any clearer than that.”

“But your car is always parked outside on the drive and so is your camper,” said Carol, “So they are both vulnerable.”

“I can set up some sort of alarm system, like the ones that trigger security lights. That’s all those things are outside, except they make a noise not switch on a light. He won’t get past them anyway.” Dave felt quite pleased with his efforts and Gaby’s assistance.

The scene of crime officer (SOCO) came and went, there were no fingerprints of any distinction. Dave called the garage, and they agreed to send someone the next day. He rang the insurance company next, and they told him he’d have to pay a large excess on his policy, so he told them to stuff it!

The rest of the afternoon was rather subdued, Harry called around to show off his new bike and shorts, with William in tow, who felt obliged to consider a new bike as well.

Drew had seen the bike before, but he was impressed that despite his sore tail, Harry had been out that morning and had cycled for an hour, doing ten miles.

“Well done,” said Drew, “I am impressed. How’s the bum?” he smiled as he said it.

“Not as sore as it was. The new shorts help. Like them?” Harry was really pleased with his blue lycra shorts, and matching shirt.

“US Postal Service, very posh,” said Drew.

“Just call me Lance ya all,” said Harry, and they all fell about laughing.

“Gaby was out with her mum, this morning,” said Maddy.

“Really? I wish I’d known, I could have come as well.”

“They did forty miles, Lance,” said Maddy, smiling, “would you have been up to that? In two hours?”

“Oh,” he said, looking crestfallen. “No, I doubt it.” Then he looked at Drew, “Did you really cycle forty miles?”

“Thereabouts, I think it was actually forty two, but I’d have to check my cycle computer. Mum likes a good warm up.” He smiled at Harry, he was trying so hard, but he had such a leeway to catch up, he would probably never make it. Besides, they would be going back soon and all this would be a distant memory, albeit an exciting one.

They told Harry about the attack on the car. He was horrified. “Do you want to stay at our place, I’m sure mum wouldn’t mind? I can go and ask if you like.”

“That’s very kind of you Harry, but we’ll be okay here,” said Drew, he really liked this helpful boy. Okay, having him follow him around like a puppy was at times annoying, but he had lots of guts and was very generous. If he, Drew, had been a girl, there would have been definite possibilities despite the distance. But they were both boys, and although some of the girl stuff with Harry had been very enjoyable, it would have to stop. Once he got home and reasserted his masculinity, things would be back to normal in hours if not minutes. Then he recalled his daydream of smoothing his skirt in front of Clive and Paul, and his dream. It still worried him, no matter what anyone else said, they hadn’t experienced it, he had, and it felt real. Sitting in the garden, at times he thought he could hear a cackle in the rustle of the leaves on the trees.

“If you go out tomorrow, can I tag along?” pleaded Harry, “I’m getting a bit better.”

“I’m sure you are, it’s mainly a question of putting in the hours, or miles,” said Drew,
“The problem is, Mum took her bike back earlier, and Dad won’t let me cycle by myself. He says it’s too dangerous.”

“Well, if I came with you, you wouldn’t be alone,” said Harry, grasping at straws.

“Sorry Harry, that’s what my dad said, besides, you couldn’t stop them knocking me into the lake before.”

“I know, but I’d be ready for them this time,” he was trying his best, but it began to look pathetic to the others.

William decided to intervene to end the pathos. “Look Harry, Gaby’s dad has said no. That means there won’t be any riding until this nutter Meadows, is caught. You can ride as much as you like, but she can’t, okay?”

“Alright.” He slumped down in the garden chair, then jumping up he said, “What if we catch this maniac, then we could ride?” All the others groaned, but Drew didn’t. He had one ally if it became necessary. His affection for Harry was growing by the minute.

“Gaby would like to catch him as well,” said Maddy, stirring things up again.

“Really? said Harry, he so loved this girl, she had real balls!

“Oh my God, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boy,” said Jules and started to smirk. The smirk became a giggle when Maddy corrected it to ‘Harry Boy’, even William began to laugh. But Harry was irritated, then angry.

“That’s right, you bloody well laugh, but me and Gaby are the only ones here with balls!” This nearly drove Maddy and Jules into insanity, they laughed so much, Maddy wet herself. Drew blushed like a solar flare and William looked puzzled.

“Sorry, that just hit us on the funny bone,” said Jules, wiping away her tears.

“What did?” asked Harry.

“Imagining Gaby with balls,” she began to giggle again, while Drew squirmed.

“I don’t think that’s very nice,” said Harry, defending his girlfriend.

“No it’s below the belt,” said Jules, and began to giggle again.

“Come on,” said Drew, “let’s go and get a drink,” and he set off for the kitchen followed by puppy dog Harry, who had shown he did have a few teeth.

So the afternoon passed into evening and the boys stayed for supper. Despite the tension, Jules managed to persuade her parents to let her go out with John. But she had to be back by eleven, no messing.

Drew said quietly to Harry, “I wanted her to borrow one of his bows, then I could protect myself.”

“You can borrow mine,” said Harry.

“You have a bow?” beamed Gaby, this boy was becoming more adorable by the moment.

“Yeah, it’s not a recurve like John shoots.”

“What sort is it then?” said Drew, not being that informed about bows and arrows.

“A crossbow,” said Harry quietly, realising the conspiratorial nature of their conversation.

“What like William what’s his name?”

“Tell, William Tell,” beamed Harry.

“That’s the one, shot an apple off his son’s head,” said Drew triumphantly.

“He did. How am I going to get it to you?”

“Why don’t you shoot home now and take your bike, and bring it back with you. I’ll open the garage door for you, and you can show me how to use it, load the arrows and things.”

“Bolts,” said Harry.

“What ?” said Gaby.

“It fires bolts, not arrows.”

“Is it big enough to protect me?”

“It’s a junior one, I got it a few years ago, but if it was any bigger, you wouldn’t be able to draw it, leave alone fire it. It’ll be easier to hide too.”

“So how big is it?”

“A bit bigger than a tennis racquet, and it’s powerful enough to stop a man at about fifty feet, if you hit him. That’s the hard part. But I’ve got three or four bolts, so you might get more than one chance. From close range it’s very dangerous if not lethal, so be careful and don’t keep it cocked, it’s too dangerous.”

“Okay I won’t, go and get it,” said Drew. Harry then announced he was going to take his bike home, but he’d be back. While he was gone Drew slipped out to the garage to await his ‘tryst’.

Harry came rushing back in. “That was quick, where’s the bow?” Asked Drew. Harry had rushed so fast he was breathless, and it took a moment for him to get enough breath to speak.

“Get an ambulance, get your dad, quick!” said the boy, with an urgency that jolted Drew like an electric shock. Leaving Harry, he ran back into the house screaming for his father. They all followed him out to the garage.

“Get an ambulance!” Shouted Harry again, “Follow me.” Jenny went back into the house to call for the emergency services. Carol took charge of the other teens, while Dave and Drew went off with Harry. About a hundred yards down the road towards his house, he led them to a body. It was John!

Dave bent over to examine it, he was still alive but barely conscious. “Christ, if he’s here, where is Juliette? Where is my daughter?” He began to call for her, searching the field where the unfortunate youth lay.

Drew examined the boy, he had a gash to the back of his head, which was still oozing blood. Without a second thought, he pulled off his tee shirt and held it to the wound. “Stop the bleeding,” he muttered to himself, “just apply pressure and stop the bleeding.”

Without doubt his patient was in deep shock, so was Drew, he was now performing by rote, the basic first aid course he had completed the year before. Harry was standing by, filled with admiration for his girlfriend, who was prepared to sacrifice her modesty for the sake of another. It was, amazing, they were amazing, he couldn’t take his eyes off them, snuggling in her bra.

In the distance a siren was heard, then moments later blue flashing lights, a police car followed by an ambulance hove into view. Harry waved at them and they pulled up alongside the gateway. Dave came running up, “They’ve got my daughter,” he kept shouting at the policeman.

The paramedics, took over from Drew. It was the same team who helped save the life of the boy who took ecstasy. “Okay love, we’ll take it from here,” said the paramedic, “Didn’t we see you at the school, only with more clothes on?”

“You might have done,” said Drew.

“The boy who OD’ed,” said the paramedic.

“Yeah, that was me,” said Drew, holding his hands over his chest.

“Calm down, sir,” said the young copper. “Now tell me again what happened.” Dave was still mostly hysterical. Harry, realised the depth of his devotion to his love. He pulled off his new cycle shirt and gave it to Drew to wear. After accepting the garment and putting it on, Drew saw his father talking to the policeman, and realised the problem, he went to help.

“This is my Dad,” said Drew holding his father’s arm.

“What happened here?” asked the copper, his pad in his hand.

“We don’t know, Harry, “ Drew pointed him out, “Was taking his bike home when he came rushing back calling us to get help. We rushed back with him and John was lying here with a gash in his head. My sister was supposed to be with him.”

“Could she have done this?” asked the policeman.

“No, no, no,” Dave was shouting at the policeman, “He’s got her.”

The policeman, called for assistance, then tried again. “Who has got your sister?” he said to Drew.

“Mr Meadows, the drug dealer,” said Drew, “But I’m the one he wants to hurt.”

“What Rod Meadows?” said the copper, shaking his head. Drew nodded. “You’re not that cycling family, are you? The Bonds, or something?”

“Yes we are, I’m Gaby, my Dad, Dave, my sister Juliette and my Mum, Jenny.”

“Here, look after your dad a moment.” He wandered off a few yards, “Control it’s 7964, I’m at the scene of a serious assault involving the Bond family, remember the boy killed in the cycle race, there’s been a possible abduction or kidnap of the elder girl, Juliette. Yes, I copy. The younger girl seems to think Rodney Meadows might be involved. The boyfriend of the elder girl has sustained a serious head injury, no sign of the girl. Found by a friend of the family passing by. Okay, I’ll wait here. Mr Bond, can you sit in the car sir, Gaby, can you help your dad into the car? Right young man, can you sit with them a moment?” With that all three of them were placed in the police car. Dave was still shaking, Drew was trying to sooth him and Harry was in a dreamlike state, lost in admiration for his love.

Another police car came screaming up, and within minutes a helicopter was heard overhead. “Do you think she’s alright Gaby?” said Dave to Drew.

“I don’t know Daddy, but we have to hope she is.” Drew wrapped himself around his father as best he could, on the back seat of the police car. Harry sat, watching from the front seat, wearing a borrowed blanket.

“I should never have let her go out. It’s all my fault. I should have protected her.” Dave was sat with his head in his hands. Drew watched the ambulance depart the scene, its blue lights flashing away into the distance.

“Should I tell the police where he lives?” said Harry, coming out of his trance.

“Good idea,” said Drew, and Harry left the car to speak to the police.

A few minutes later, Inspector Shaw, of the Dorset Police CID, came to the car.

“I’m just going to get one of my officers to run you back to your cottage, I’ll be up to speak to you in a few minutes. Be assured we are doing everything we can.” A short time later, a young policeman got in the car, and drove them back home.

Jenny, Carol and Maddy were buzzing with anxiety. A police woman arrived a moment later. Dave was helped into the house, he mumbled something to Jenny, but he was too distraught for it to be intelligible. It was Drew who said, “John has been bashed on the head, he’s still alive but unconscious. We don’t know where Jules is.”

“Oh my God!” shrieked Jenny, and she threw herself at Dave, they embraced and began to sob inconsolably.

Maddy look at Drew and asked, “Do you think, that bloke has her?”

Drew shrugged his shoulders, “Dunno. But I can’t think of anyone else.”

“Oh my goodness, the poor girl,” said Carol, meaning Juliette, but she hugged Drew.

“This is awful, Gaby, it’s terrible.”

“I just want her back home,” said Drew, and began to cry. Maddy hugged both Drew and Carol and began to cry as well, then Carol started and soon everyone was, including the young woman police officer.

The question which everyone wanted to ask but was too frightened to even contemplate, was, “Is she okay?” or in other words, “Is she still alive?” The sound of tears and anguish filled the room. Red eyes were the order of the night. The room seemed to feel heavier and heavier as the gloom descended and spirits sank. No news, in a way was good news, especially when there is a dread it will only be bad news, meaning they had found her dead or injured. It was an awful half an hour, which seemed to stretch further than a rubber band.

Suddenly a young male police officer ran into the house. “Listen up everyone. We think we’ve found her, and she’s okay.”

A second later Dave and Jenny were pleading with him to allow them to see her. He told them, “Soon.” The tears of grief were exchanged for those of expectation. Drew and Maddy were dancing around the room in celebration. Carol and Jenny, embraced, then Carol hugged Dave, then Jenny and Dave hugged, then Jenny and Drew, and Carol and Maddy, then Dave and Drew. It was like some bizarre New Year’s Eve party.

Into the middle of all this, walked Juliette. Without a word she went up and hugged her parents. Drew, joined in the family embrace. There were lots of tears and shrieks and squeals, of pain and pleasure and of fear and love. It was going to be a very long night.