Reckless Obsession

© 2012 by David Wilde. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/18/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8631-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8632-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

To my wife Katherine, I love you very much and thank you for all the support and faith you have given, throughout our marriage and the writing of this book.

CHAPTER ONE

Oh No . . . . Tilley Watson mumbled to herself as she left her apartment building. Raining again and my umbrellas broken, still at least its Friday. Tilley was on her way to work as she had done for the last five years since she started working at Coopers Insurance Services in Bromworth High Street. She had a quarter of a mile walk to her local train station in Parkview—a small Hamlet fifteen miles west of the town of Bromworth. Her train normally left at ten minutes past nine then after a ten minute journey to Bromworth she had a five minute walk to her office.

Today however—Friday the ninth of October nineteen eighty three—was going to be very different indeed because, as she was walking down a narrow overgrown lane she often used as a short cut to the station she heard a noise like a thump, it came from behind some bracken and gorse bushes which lined the left hand side of lane. Tilley being Tilley she just could not resist investigating because to say the least Tilley had a tendency to be curious which had landed her in a few scrapes in the past.

Worming her way through the wet grass and bushes Tilley caught a glimpse of a man but, he had his back to her and was walking away from the other side of the bushes.

She could only see the top half of him but noted that he was wearing a light blue coat and had short hair. However she couldn’t get any further into the dense bushes so reluctantly she made her way back to the path. She was wearing light grey trousers and the bottoms were soaked as was her shoes and hair, of course she missed her train making her late for work which was the first time ever.

When she finally arrived at work her colleagues—Rob and Lucy, were anxious to know why she was late and in such a state. Tilley told them but they just looked at each other with that here we go again look because they were well aware of her inquisitive nature.

After a relatively uneventful day at work she left work and went to the station to catch the five fifty pm train to Parkview, where she lived. Being a moonless damp October night she avoided taken the short cut and arrived home at six twenty.

On entering her apartment she kicked off her muddy shoes and chuckled to herself, remembering her escapade earlier that day. A nice hot bath she thought as she placed a ready meal in the microwave.

While her meagre supper was heating up she went to the bathroom to run her bath. Once there was enough water in the bath she went back into the kitchen and her meal was ready, however as she opened the microwave door her phone rang, she lifted the receiver and it was her mother, she said: ‘Hello Tilley how’s things?’

‘Everything’s fine thanks, I was just going to eat my supper actually, then have a bath.’

‘Ok, I won’t keep you but your dad and I were wondering what you had planned for your birthday next Wednesday.’

‘Oh don’t worry about that mum I wasn’t planning anything, you know me.’

‘Yes we do but it is your thirtieth and you should do something special so dad and I have booked a table at Christos restaurant in Bromworth.’

‘Oh mum I wish you wouldn’t do this I hate dressing up and all that stuff, I’d much rather curl up on the sofa with a TV dinner.’

‘Yes we know that but this time we are not taking no for an answer.’

‘Fine if that’s what you want but I’ve got nothing to wear.’

‘Well that is the second part of your birthday present, you are coming shopping with me tomorrow and your dad’s paying.’

Tilley knew it was a waste of time arguing with her mum so she just said: ‘Alright then what time are you picking me up?’

‘About ten thirty we can have some lunch then hit the shops.’

‘Ok then mum, I will have to go now though or my supper will be cold.’

‘Alright Tilley see you tomorrow.’

Tilley hung up and took her meal from the microwave but it was only lukewarm and she didn’t fancy it anymore so she threw it in the bin.

She took a bottle of spring water from the fridge and headed for the bathroom, she tested water with her toe and it was still just about hot enough so she climbed in.

After a long refreshing soak Tilley climbed out and towelled herself off and slipped her dressing gown on. By now she was hungry so she made a cheese and tomato sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate.

Sitting at her small table she ate her sandwich afterwards she washed her plate and made her way to her bedroom taking the hot chocolate with her.

She sat up in bed and finished her hot chocolate, noticing that the time was nearly ten forty she switched her bedside lamp off and settled down to go to sleep.

However Tilley found it difficult to drop off, she just tossed and turned, her mind drifting back to the mysterious man in the bushes. She mulled it over for a little longer then eventually she dropped off to sleep.

She awoke with a start as her radio alarm came on and the newsreader was in the process of reporting a newsflash saying: "The woman’s body was discovered around seven thirty last evening on the edge of Parkview common by a woman walking her dog. A spokesman for the Police stated that the death is being treated as suspicious.

Her identity is being withheld until her family has been notified . . . . And now for the weather".

Tilley stirred not really taking in what the newsreader had said. She slowly got out of bed and slipping on her dressing gown and slippers began the morning routine of preparing her breakfast. She had just put two slices of bread in the toaster when it suddenly come to her that it was Saturday and wondered what made her set her alarm so early.

She was just about to turn the toaster off and go back to bed when it dawned on her that she was going shopping with her mother and was relieved to know she wasn’t losing the plot.

It was ten thirty five when her mum pressed the intercom buzzer and Tilley called down that she was on her way, she locked her door and went down and met her mother.

Her mother remarked: ‘Hello darling you look tired.’ Tilley replied: ‘I’m fine thanks mum I didn’t sleep very well actually though I am looking forward to today.’

‘My word you must be ill girl.’ Her mum quipped and with a mutual giggle they set off.

The traffic was quite heavy with people starting their Christmas shopping early and it took over forty minutes to reach the shopping centre. Finding a parking place was very difficult but eventually they managed to park the car and headed for the shops.

By this time they were ready for a cup of tea so they decided to have lunch. They found a cafe and ordered their meals and a pot of tea. Tilley’s then mum said: ‘Did you hear about that body they found near you?’

‘Body what body? I haven’t heard anything about that.’ Suddenly Tilley froze and her mother said to her: ‘Whatever’s wrong Tilley? You’ve gone as white as a sheet.’

I remember now! ‘It was on the radio this morning, I saw him.’

‘Saw who? What are you talking about?’

‘The murderer, I saw the murderer.’

Tilley related to her mother what she saw on the way to work the previous morning, her mother listened intensely with horror on her face, when Tilley had finished her story her mum said: ‘You are going to get yourself into a serious of trouble talking like that my girl, what you saw couldn’t have anything to do with that body and there has been no mention of murder yet, so if I were you I would forget all about it.’

They ate their lunch in relative silence, when they had finished and paid the bill they headed for the shops. Tilley’s mind was not on shopping however and her mum said: ‘Look Tilley you said you were looking forward to today.’

‘I know and I am sorry but I’m so sure I saw the murderer.’ Her mum was annoyed and said with a moan: ‘Tilley for Pete’s sake let it go will you? And concentrate on finding something to wear for your birthday meal.’

‘Ok mum I will, I have ruined your day haven’t I?’

‘No you haven’t ruined my day but you will if you carry on with that ridiculous business, now come on.’

After trooping around the shops for over two hours Tilley finally found an outfit she was happy with. They made their way back to the car neither saying very much because despite her mother’s efforts to distract her daughter from the news of the dead body, Tilley just couldn’t get it out of her mind.

The atmosphere on the journey home was very subdued with Tilley feeling guilty for ruining her mum’s day and her mum was worried that Tilley was going to do something stupid. She knew that once her daughter got her heart set on something there was no reasoning with her.

When Tilley’s mum arrived home her husband greeted her with a hug but he could see she was not herself and asked: ‘What’s the matter Joyce?’

‘Oh Bob I’m worried about Tilley, she thinks she saw a murderer yesterday.’

Murderer! ‘Hang on, back up a minute, look take your coat off and I will make us some tea, I swear that girl will be the death of us one day.’

Bob made the tea, brought it into the lounge and said: ‘Now for god’s sake tell me what is going on?’

‘Well do you remember that news on the radio this morning about the body they found last night?’

‘Yes but what has that got to do with Tilley?’ Joyce explained what Tilley had told her and Bob sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling saying: ‘When will that girl ever learn?’

Tilley spent that evening relaxing reading magazines with the TV on low. The national news was on and she just heard the news reader say: "Police have stated that the woman who was found dead in Parkview yesterday was in fact murdered. The name of the dead woman is Mrs Angela Johnson she was identified by a staff ID badge found with the body. She was aged thirty three.

Mrs Johnson had been dead for approximately twelve hours and had been missing since Friday morning when she failed to turn up for work at Your Type Secretarial Agency in Parkview. Police are also anxious to know the whereabouts of the woman’s husband—Andrew Johnson—last seen leaving his place of work Halls Estate Agents also in Parkview at four thirty Friday afternoon.

Mr Johnson was wearing a black knee length coat, blue suit, white shirt and black shoes. He has curly red hair. If anyone has any information regarding either of these two people please contact your local Police station ASAP".

Tilley’s mind was racing not knowing whether to call the Police or follow her mother’s advice and leave well alone. After a long think she decided to wait until the morning and went to bed although she knew it was going to be a long sleepless night.

Sunday morning was a long time coming, Tilley couldn’t stop thinking about the news item from the previous evening. She looked at the clock and saw that it had only just turned seven am. She laid there for a while longer but eventually she had to get up. She couldn’t stomach the thought of breakfast so she got dressed. By this time she had made her mind up to call the Police to tell them about the events of the Friday morning. She looked up the number for the local Police station and dialled it. A female voice answered: ‘Hello this is Parkview Police, WPC Wright speaking, how can I help you?’ Tilley said: ‘Hello I am Tilley Watson, I think I have some information regarding the woman’s body found on Friday.’

‘Right hold the line please.’ After a pause a man’s voice came on the line: ‘Hello my name is Detective Inspector Harper, who am I talking to please?’

‘Hello I’m Tilley Watson.’

‘Is that Mrs or Miss?’

‘It’s Miss actually.’

‘Ok Miss, I understand you may have some information regarding the body found last Friday, is that correct?’

‘Yes it is.’

‘Would it be convenient to come into the station and talk to a member of the investigating team? It would be an informal chat.’

‘Yes of course, will later this morning be ok?’

‘Yes that’s fine just come to the front desk and ask for me.’ Tilley said goodbye and hung up.

She now had to decide whether to tell her parents of her decision or wait and tell them after she had spoken to the Police. After pondering over it for a while she decided to bite the bullet and tell them, her dad answered the phone: ‘Hello Bob Watson.’

‘Hello dad, did mum tell you about the man I saw on my way to work on Friday?’

‘Yes she did what about it?’

‘Well please don’t get mad but I have decided to tell the Police and I am going to see them today.’

‘Why on earth do you want to do that Tilley?’

‘Well it is a murder enquiry now and I couldn’t live with myself if I kept quiet and what I saw turned out to be vital evidence.’

‘Well in that case you are not going alone, I’m coming with you.’

‘No dad there’s isn’t any need for that.’

‘Yes there is and no argument, when are you going?’

‘About eleven o’clock.’

‘Ok I’ll pick you up.’

‘Ok dad thanks, I’ll see you then.’

Bob Picked Tilley up and drove her to the Police station but there wasn’t very much conversation, Tilley knew her father was not best pleased but she knew he would always support her even though she had gotten herself in many awkward situations due to her curious nature, and she was glad of that.

At the front desk the duty Sergeant said: ‘Good morning can I help?’

‘Yes my name is Miss Watson I am here to see Detective Inspector Harper, he is expecting me.’

‘Ok Miss please take a seat, I will let him know you are here.’ After about three minutes DI Harper appeared—a tallish man about thirty five years old Tilley surmised. He greeted her saying: ‘Hello Miss Watson, I’m DI Harper.’ The DI held out his hand and shook Tilley’s she gestured to her dad, and said: ‘Hello this is my father, he insisted on coming with me.’

‘That’s fine it’s always a good idea to have some support.’ The DI shook Bob’s hand and then continued: ‘If you would follow me I’ll take you to the investigative officer who is leading the enquiry.’

DI Harper guided them to an office on the second floor, there sitting at a desk was a man with thinning brown hair, he greeted them saying: ‘Hello, Detective Chief Inspector George Carter, and you are?’

‘I am Tilley Watson and this is my father.’ After inviting them to sit down DI Harper left the room, DCI Carter then asked: ‘Ok Miss tell me what you know?’

‘If you don’t mind I prefer Tilley.’

Tilley! ‘That’s a nice name.’

‘In actual fact my real name is Natalie which I will explain if you wish.’

‘Well maybe later, now what have you got for us?’ Tilley took the DCI through the events of the previous Friday morning, when she had finished DCI Carter asked: ‘Could you see his face?’

‘No as I said he was walking away so I could only see his back and only the top half because the bushes were quite high.’

‘That is very interesting Tilley, tell me would you be able to show us exactly where this was?’

‘Yes no problem.’ The DCI then showed Tilley and her father a picture of Mrs Johnson and asked if they knew her. After carefully looking they both said they didn’t. The DCI then asked Tilley if she could show them where she saw the man, he said they would take her and her father in a Police car. Tilley got excited saying: Oh yes! ‘I have always wanted to ride in a Police car.’

‘Actually it would be an unmarked car.’

‘Oh how disappointing.’ Her father told her not to be so daft but DCI Carter said: ‘No if Tilley wants to go in a patrol car that’s fine.’ Tilley though said that she was only joking so the DCI left with a smile to arrange a car.

While they were waiting Bob asked Tilley: ‘Are you alright with all this? You could be letting yourself in for a whole lot of trouble, particularly if what you have told the Police leads to an arrest, you will have to go to court and give evidence and God knows what that could lead to.’

‘I’m fine dad honestly and I am aware of what I am doing, I just want to do the right thing.’

‘I don’t know Tilley you have been in some right scrapes in the past but this takes the biscuit, however your mother and I will stand by you no matter what.’

‘I know dad and I really do appreciate it and I do love you both very much.’

A few moments later a Police Constable arrived and said: ‘Hello I am PC Walker, if you would like to follow me I will escort you both to the car.’

When they reached the car—a blue Volvo—DCI Carter helped them both in. While they were on their way DCI Carter turned to Tilley and asked: ‘Now do tell me Tilley how did your name come about?’ She explained a little tentatively: ‘Well it all started in junior school, there was an older girl also called Natalie in my class, we all called each other by nicknames, so it was decided that she would be called Nat and I would be called Tilley—they reckoned the last part of my name sounded like Tilley so it has been my name ever since.’ The DCI appeared a little bemused and said: ‘Ok I think I get it.’ Looking at Mr Watson with a wry grin.

As the car approached the Common Tilley guided the driver to the beginning of the path. They all left the car and the DCI said: ‘Ok Tilley maybe you would like to take us to the spot and go through the events as you recall them.’

‘Yes sure.’ Tilley replied and started walking along the path. When she stopped at the spot where she saw the man she pointed and said: ‘There, he was behind those bushes.’

‘Right Tilley I must point out that is not where the body was found.’

‘Really I don’t understand, I definitely heard something being dropped and then there’s the man.’

‘I’m sorry I am not disbelieving you, I am sure you did see and hear something but it was most definitely not the body being dumped, that occurred further along the common. However I will get a couple of uniforms to search this area in case there is something interesting here.’

Tilley’s father had a noticeable expression of relief on his face which Tilley saw and remarked: ‘Ok dad, tell me you told me so.’

‘I’m sorry love but I am relieved, now apologise for wasting the detective’s time and let’s go home.’ DCI Carter chipped in: ‘There is absolutely no need to apologise, we would rather you report something and it come to nothing than ignore it and a villain gets away. You go home and I will let you know if uniform find anything of use here.’ DCS Carter shook Tilley’s and her father’s hands and thanked them both for their time.

CHAPTER TWO

It was one fifteen when Mr Watson dropped Tilley off, she said sheepishly: ‘Thanks dad I am really sorry for wasting your time today but I thought I saw something important.’

‘You didn’t waste my time sweetheart but hopefully it is all over now, so go and put your feet up, I’ll shoot off your or mother will be worried.’

‘Ok give her my love and I will call if there’s any more news,’

‘Ok love, bye for now.’

Later that afternoon the ringing of the phone startled Tilley for a second as she had dozed off while reading a magazine on her sofa. She lifted the receiver and it was DCI Carter, he said: ‘Hello Tilley I just thought I’d let you know that the officer’s we sent to check the scene of your sighting found nothing of interest, so