The Doll's House

134

Alice Loughton stared at Helen Grace. Was that suspicion in her eyes? Or worse, incomprehension? She had said nothing since Helen started outlining the urgent reason for her visit and Helen had a nasty feeling that she wasn’t taking in the import of her words. Finally, however, the old woman opened her mouth and said in a croaky whisper:

‘You’re sure?’

‘We are.’

‘And how long…?’

‘We’re not sure, but we believe he’s been targeting women in the Southampton area for nearly five years.’

‘I don’t believe it.’

This is what Helen had been afraid of.

‘I know it’s hard to take in – and I’d like to reiterate that neither you nor your brother are in any trouble – but we do need your help -’

‘I only met him once or twice, but he always seemed such a gentle boy.’

‘I appreciate that -’

‘Edward found him sleeping in the shopping centre. In one of the loading bays. He was only small – fourteen or so. Edward offered to take him back to his mother but the boy begged him not to. So he went to a hostel instead -’

‘Where does he live now, Alice?’

‘Edward took an interest in him after,’ she replied, seeming not to hear Helen’s question. ‘Gave him a job in the shop. He’s been working there – Lord knows – well over ten years now. Edward relied upon him. He was a damn sight more reliable than some of the people in his other shops.’

‘I do understand that, Alice, but it’s vitally important we talk to him now. If he is innocent, then we can exclude him from our investigation and move on -’

‘Edward was like a father to him, which was why he was so generous in his will.’

‘He left him money?’

‘No! Edward didn’t like money – not in the way you mean. He liked assets – houses, businesses and so on.’

‘So he gave Ben Fraser property?’

‘Don’t look so surprised. It’s a tumbledown affair in a dubious part of town, but all these places have their day, don’t they, as the town expands? Edward thought it would see Ben right in the long term.’

‘And do you know where it is?’

‘Of course I do, I’m not completely doolally,’ she replied, giving Helen a hard stare.

‘Then tell me, please. A young woman’s life is at stake.’

The old woman sized Helen up, as if trying to work out if she could trust her or not, before eventually she replied:

‘He lives at 14 Alfreton Terrace. It’s not five minutes from here.’