Chapter 38
GRAHAM
Something keeps tapping against the window, as if someone is trying to get his attention.
The more he tries to ignore the rustling and knocking, the louder it becomes.
Mr Mallow has been gone for over an hour and he hasn’t texted to say he’s finished talking to Frank either.
Graham hopes he will bring back some useful information. Nothing is making any sense lately.
Graham is stuck twiddling his thumbs. He never likes to be idle.
He is more at home, more comfortable when he is constantly busy, never allowing his thoughts to settle.
That’s especially been the case before everything that happened last year in Cherry Hollow, but now it’s behind him and he has finally learned the truth, he thought his mind might take the chance to reflect and rest. But it seems he’s doomed to be restless.
There will always be mysteries to solve in life.
He knows what he really wants to do. He wants to speak to Olivia, but he isn’t due to visit her for a few more weeks.
Perhaps he’ll call her instead. It will be nice to hear her voice.
Graham picks up his phone and dials the number for the prison. It’s way past the hours allowed for calls to prisoners, but if he doesn’t try, then he’ll be mulling it over all night.
‘Good evening, Ashmoore Prison.’
‘Hello. Good evening. My name is Detect—ah, Graham Williams. Is it possible to speak to Olivia Willows, please? It’s rather urgent.’
‘All calls for prisoners need to be between the hours of nine a.m. and three p.m., Monday to Friday.’
‘Yes, I’m aware, but this is important.’
‘Are you a family member?’
‘I … no, but …’
‘I am sorry, Mr Williams, but unless you’re a family member, then I can’t … oh, it appears I was mistaken. Your name is on the list of trusted family members and friends.’
‘Yes, that’s what I was trying to tell you.’
‘Very well. I shall get her to call you back, but please be aware that your call will be monitored.’
‘I understand. Thank you.’
Graham stares ahead blankly as he lowers his phone to the table and places it down. He wonders how long it will be before she calls. He knows she will. It’s not the middle of the night yet, but he knows she’ll call him back no matter the time.
He drums his fingers on the table, his phone next to him.
His breath threatens to run away like a freight train.
To keep himself occupied, he looks through the journals of John Hammel again, but doesn’t come across any new information other than Griffiths was the name of Carys, his girlfriend.
Graham wracks his brain, attempting to remember if he’s met anyone with that surname in the village, but he hasn’t.
He’s sure of it. It’s a piece of the puzzle they are missing, and need it in order to proceed.
He thinks of the room hidden upstairs. It shocks him that he hadn’t realised it was there. Stephen had seen something was out of place immediately with the boarded-up window, but Graham had lived here almost a year and yet hadn’t thought to investigate the odd dead end hallway in his cottage.
Sometimes he wonders if his mind blocks certain things from him.
Mr Mallow explained in detail about mental health back in Cherry Hollow, about how one’s mind can alter and make one see or hear things that aren’t really there in order to protect oneself from the truth, which would likely cause more damage.
Four minutes later, Olivia calls.
‘Graham, make it fast. I only get five minutes.’
‘Olivia, good to hear your voice. I’m sorry for calling so late, but I’m in a bit of a bind. I could use your words of wisdom.’
‘Now, I’m intrigued.’
‘There’s a missing girl who’s been gone ten years and …’
‘Stop right there. I’m not the person you should be talking to, Graham. Surely, Stephen Mallow is much more qualified for things like this?’
‘Yes, he’s here, but I’m a little worried about him. He’s not himself.’
‘Well, that’s not surprising.’
Graham pauses before asking, ‘Why’s it not surprising?’
‘Haven’t you heard?’
‘Heard what?’
‘The poor woman he was seeing, Rachel. She died in a tragic accident a few months ago. It left him devastated.’
Graham clears his throat. ‘I’m sorry, but can you repeat that?’
‘Stephen’s girlfriend, Rachel, from Cherry Hollow, is dead, Graham.’
‘B-But … how is that possible? Wait, how the hell do you know about it? You’re in prison.’
‘Tactful as always. I happen to receive the monthly gossip from Penelope and a couple of the other ladies in Cherry Hollow. It seems they enjoy writing to me. A few letters ago, Penelope told me about Rachel’s death.
She fell in the bathroom and hit her head.
Stephen found her on the bathroom floor a few hours later. ’
Graham covers his mouth with his hand. ‘Oh, God … I had no idea. Mr Mallow … he … well, he inferred that she was alive.’
‘I see … three minutes left.’
‘This changes everything, Olivia. Don’t you see what’s happening?’
A pause stretches on.
‘Yes, it appears that Stephen is suffering from intense grief,’ says Olivia at last.
‘Not only that, but I believe his grief is manifesting itself into something much bigger than he realises.’
‘Why do I feel like I already know this story?’
‘Because you do. We all do. The darkness … it’s back. And it’s after Mr Mallow for real this time.’
Graham ends the call, a dull ache settling in the pit of his stomach.
How could he have not realised? The fact Olivia knows more about the man who’s been staying with him for the past few days than he does, is ridiculous.
Mr Mallow has never mentioned a single thing about his girlfriend passing away.
In fact, he spoke about her as if she were alive.
Does that mean he truly believes she is?
Graham’s mind reflects back to Cherry Hollow and the woman who moved there only a year or so ago, Emma Smithson.
She’d suffered through the same thing. Seeing a person who wasn’t there because of the magnitude of her grief.
Because she wasn’t strong enough to admit they were really gone.
Grief is a powerful emotion in this world.
There’s a lot Graham doesn’t understand about it, but he does know the power it holds over those who are struggling, who perhaps aren’t strong enough to deal with it alone.
The darkness is continuing to lay waste to all those who aren’t able to fight it. Mr Mallow needs help. Sophia will have to wait for the time being. He needs Mr Mallow in the right frame of mind before they can continue.
Graham looks up as a car pulls into the driveway. It’s impossible to miss because whenever cars drive up the road towards his cottage, especially in the dark, the lights illuminate the kitchen. But it isn’t Mr Mallow’s car.
Curious as to who his uninvited guest is, he opens the door onto the yard. A man he recognises as the owner of the pub in the village steps out.
‘Noswaith dda, Mr Williams. Sorry to disturb you, but I’ve had to escort Mr Mallow back here.’ As he speaks, the passenger door opens and a weary Mr Mallow climbs out of the car, holding onto the door for dear life. ‘He’s a little disorientated, but otherwise seems fine.’
Graham rushes out to his friend. ‘What the hell happened? Was he attacked?’
‘Attacked? Good heavens, no. He's drunk, Mr Williams. Passed right out on the table while he was talking to Frank. He hit his head but doesn’t appear to have a concussion. Just needs to sleep it off.’
Graham supports Mr Mallow’s weight. ‘Thank you for bringing him back.’
‘No worries. He was a fool to try and keep up with Frank. That man can drink for Wales.’
Graham nods his thanks and holds on to Mr Mallow while they watch the barman get back into his car and drive up the road.
‘Good grief, man. How much did you have to drink?’
Mr Mallow shakes his head. ‘Not enough to make me pass out.’
‘Then what …’
‘Help me inside. I’ll explain. I have something to tell you.’
‘That makes two of us.’