Inferno Read online

  Fischer smiled with pride. His little girl had grown up and knew how to take care of herself. He looked back at Moon and smiled. She was now outside the car and leaning against the bonnet. Moon put up her hands to say, What the hell is going on?

  Fischer’s mouth was dry. He was mesmerised. He’d forgotten everything he wanted to say. He just stared at the girl. She was amazing. There she was, right in front of him, all grown up. She was beautiful.

  “I saw you arguing back there at the house. I want to make sure you’re okay,” said Fischer.

  “I know what you want. You sicko. And it isn’t to make sure I’m okay.”

  “It’s not like that at all. I’ve come to see you. To make sure you’re okay.”

  “What? What are you, some sort of stalker? My boyfriend will be here in a minute. You better fuck off.”

  “Jessica. Would you mind not swearing?” Fischer stepped closer.

  “What? How do you know my name? You kiddin’ me? Whoever you are, you better seriously, seriously… just go. Back away. If you come near me, I will stick you with this. Don’t think I won’t.” The teenager continued to point the knife. Using her thumb, she swiped her phone.

  “Please don’t do that,” said Fischer. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’d like to talk. If you give me a moment, I can explain.”

  “I’m not interested.” Jessica tapped in a number and put the phone to her ear. “Where are you? Well, hurry up. Some rapist perv’s been stalking me. He knows my name and everything… What sort of question is that? What do rapist pervs usually want? Just get here now… What?” Jessica looked Fischer up and down. “He’s real skinny and looks like he needs a bath. He’s got loads of tattoos. Checked shirt, black t-shirt and jeans.” She hung up. “Idiot!”

  Fischer stepped forward and held the chain of the swing. He moved around the swing and sat down.

  “Will you please stay where you are?” Jessica said and brandished the knife again.

  Fischer put up his hands and chuckled. “Whoa. Careful with that thing. If you just let me speak…” He unbuttoned the sleeve on his right arm and rolled up his shirt. He turned over his forearm. Amongst the montage of tattoos, the name ‘Jessica’ ran along the inside of his arm.

  Jessica looked confused. “I don’t know who you are, but my boyfriend will be here any second. If I were you, I would just go. Why won’t you just go? Please.”

  “You know who I am. I’m not going anywhere. I want to talk.”

  “No, I don’t know who you are. I’m calling the police.”

  Jessica looked down at her phone. Fischer jumped up and grabbed it from her hand. “I can’t have you doing that.”

  Jessica swiped the knife wildly towards him but was too slow. She held the knife in both hands and stood in a defensive position. “Give me my phone back.”

  “No.”

  “Give it.”

  “No.” Fischer started scrolling through the photos on the phone.

  “They’re private. Stop it.”

  “Only if you listen to me.” Fischer looked up at his daughter. “Bloody hell, Jessica. Will you calm down and hear me out? This isn’t supposed to go like this. I have something important to tell you.” Fischer took a step towards her.

  “Stay back. I’ve warned you.” Jessica glanced over Fischer’s shoulder at the sound of a car screeching to a halt beside Fischer’s black Ford. Fischer looked around to see a young man who appeared to be about five years older than his daughter – too old – jump out brandishing what looked like a short sword. He was dressed in a combat-green t-shirt that looked two sizes too small for his large, muscular body.

  Seeing her boyfriend running towards them, Jessica relaxed.

  Fischer sighed. This whole situation had turned into an unnecessary mess. He now needed to take control of the situation. Moving swiftly, he grabbed Jessica’s wrist and twisted the knife out of her hand. She yelped. He let her go and scooped up the knife and tucked it in his pocket.

  Jessica rubbed her sore wrist. She swung her foot and tried to kick him in the balls. She missed, again. “You creep – you’re dead.”

  “No. I’m Dad.” He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “It’s me. Daddy.”

  Jessica stood open-mouthed.

  The boyfriend was bounding towards them now with the sword over his head. He looked like a charging cavalry officer who’d forgotten his horse.

  “This isn’t working. We need to go somewhere and talk. Somewhere away from here.” Fischer grabbed Jessica by the arm and started dragging her towards his car.

  The boyfriend came to a halt in front of them. “Let her go, or I’ll cut you to pieces.”

  “Christ. What is it with you two and knives and stabbing and cutting?”

  “I’m serious. Let her go.” His eyes blazed; he meant business. He gestured with the sword. “Let her go and step away.”

  Fischer released his grip slightly, but not entirely, and the girl stepped to one side. She looked up at Fischer when she realised he hadn’t let go completely. The boyfriend was incensed; he stepped forward and raised the sword above his head. “I said—”

  Moon swung the eighteen-inch crowbar and brought it crashing into the side of the young man’s knee. His leg crunched and buckled. He collapsed onto his back, screaming in agony. He dropped the sword and grabbed his knee. Moon came around and held the crowbar over his ankle. The boyfriend sobbed uncontrollably, like a toddler who’d fallen and grazed his hands and knees for the first time.

  Jessica started wailing. “Don’t hurt him. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. It’s not a real sword. It’s fake. It’s blunt.”

  Moon looked to Fischer, then at the girl, then down at the boyfriend. She pointed the crowbar at the boyfriend as she spoke. “The only reason you’re not dead is I have no idea what the hell is going on.”

  “Leave him,” said Fischer. “Take her. We’re bringing her with us.” Fischer passed Jessica to Moon. He crouched down beside the boyfriend. “What’s your name, son?”

  “Ryan,” he said between sobs.

  “Okay, Ryan. I’m Jessica’s father. Her real father. I want to talk with her. She’s safe with me. When we’ve talked, I’m taking her back home to her mother. My point is, you don’t need to call the police. As I said, I’m her father. If you call the police, my friend Moon here will come back and do your other knee.” Ryan looked up at Moon. “Do we have an understanding?”

  Ryan nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good, lad.” Fischer got up and looked back down at Ryan, who was still clutching his knee. “Do you need a hand back to your car?”

  “No, sir. I’m okay. Thank you.”

  “Are you sure? It’s no bother.”

  “Yeah. Sure. I’m fine.”

  “Okay.” Fischer was about to walk away when he turned back. “One other thing.”

  Ryan flinched.

  “Aren’t you a little old for my daughter?” Behind him Jessica sighed.

  “I’m only a year older. I’m just big for my age,” explained Ryan.

  “Oh, okay. See you around, Ryan.”

  Fischer, Moon and Jessica headed to the car, leaving Ryan in the middle of the playground clasping his knee.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Faye Moon sat cross-legged on the floor. She was watching Judy, who was now tied to a radiator in the kitchen. Judy was gagged and blindfolded, and as an extra measure a pillowcase had been placed over her head.

  Moon poked Judy on the arm with a finger to watch her jump. “Judy, don’t be scared. It’s only me.” Moon poked her in the ribs. Then again on the thigh. Bored, she lay back on the kitchen floor and stared at the stipples of the Artex ceiling.

  Fischer appeared at the door and silently mouthed and pointed down the hall to indicate he was going to look in on Jessica. Moon nodded. When Fischer turned his back, Moon, who still lay on her back, lifted her head and slowly stretched out her leg and waved her bare foot close to Judy. Pointing her toes, she inched her f
oot closer and closer until her big toe touched where she imagined Judy’s nose might be beneath the pillowcase. Moon smiled when Judy flinched and complained. She rested her foot on Judy’s lap and reached out for her cigarettes and lighter, which were on the linoleum floor beside her.

  “Do you want to play a game, Jude? I’ll touch you with my toe and you have to try not to flinch. I’ll count to ten and then we’ll start.” Moon lit a cigarette while she counted. She scooted around and looked down the hall. She watched as Fischer stood outside the bathroom door gently knocking. “Judy, we’ll play later. I want to see something.”

  Moon got up and flicked her cigarette into the sink. She made her way down the hall to the bathroom.

  Fischer stood at the bathroom door listening. He looked back at Moon, who nodded encouragingly. “Go on,” she mouthed silently.

  Fischer turned the handle and peered around the bathroom door. “Can I come in? We need to talk.”

  “Suppose so. This should be good.” Jessica, the daughter he’d waited years to see, sat curled up on the floor with her back to the bath.

  “Promise you won’t get annoyed?”

  Jessica shrugged and rubbed her wrist. “You really hurt my wrist, you know.”

  “I’m sorry, Jess.” Fischer stepped into the bathroom. He put the lid of the toilet seat down and sat on it. “I need to explain.”

  “Which bit? Kidnapping me or never being around, ever? I’m seventeen. You’re too late. I’m all grown up.”

  “Not being around wasn’t my choice. I wanted to be. Believe me, I did.”

  Moon, who had been listening outside, couldn’t contain her curiosity and poked her head around the door.

  “Your dad didn’t kill all those girls,” she blurted. “Someone else did it and framed him. Your dad’s a good man. He’s done some crazy shit in the past, some of it pretty shady, but that’s all behind him now.”

  Jessica looked up at the two of them in horror.

  Fischer spun around to look at Moon. He put his finger up to silence her. “You know what, Moon? You’re not helping. I don’t want her thinking we’re psychopaths. This is one of those moments when you try to make a good impression. Why don’t you knock up some food? And while you’re at it, check on Judy. We don’t want her getting loose.”

  “Oh, yeah, like that makes us sound like regular people.”

  Fischer glared at her and turned his attention back to Jessica. Moon shut the door behind her and stomped off.

  “I haven’t kidnapped Judy. She’s just letting us stay in her house a while; she’ll be fine. I’ll leave her some money for her trouble. I haven’t kidnapped you, either. You can leave whenever you want. I just hope you’ll hear me out. I’m sorry about your boyfriend. I’m sure his leg will be fine in a few weeks. He might walk like a one-legged pirate for a while, but that’ll give him character.”

  Jessica didn’t laugh.

  “I got you this,” said Fischer. He passed her a fluffy black-and-white panda on a keyring. “I thought you could hang it on your bag?”

  Jessica stared at him. Fischer leaned forward and tossed the panda keyring towards her. “I am your father.”

  Jessica tutted. “You think I don’t know that?”

  “Nah. You didn’t, not really. I also wanted to say it out loud.”

  “I did know. Mum said you are an arsehole, and only arseholes would kidnap a teenage girl in broad daylight from a public park in front of her boyfriend. Plus, we’ve got the same big ugly ears.” Jessica pulled back her blonde hair to show him. “The difference is, I can cover mine with my hair. Yours must send you in circles, like a spinning top, any time the wind picks up.”

  Fischer laughed. “You really are a piece of work.”

  “I’m your daughter. I don’t know what you expect from me. You turn up out of the blue, probably with a load of preconceived ideas of how it’ll be between us. I mean, where the fuck’ve you been my whole life?”

  “It’s a long story. Don’t swear.”

  “Well, you’ve obviously got stuff you want to get off your chest. And just like you, I’m all ears.” Jessica broke into a smile at her impromptu joke.

  Fischer looked uncomfortable. None of this had gone the way he’d imagined it.

  “If you don’t want to tell me where you’ve been, then tell me who the woman is. Moon. Is she your wife? She looks like a junkie hooker.”

  “She’s a friend. She’s had a tough life. She does a little coke from time to time. She thinks it keeps her even, but all it really does is keep her crazy.”

  “Will you stop staring at me? It’s creeping me out.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ve been waiting for this your whole life. Your mother wouldn’t let me see you. The only thing I have is this photo.” Fischer took his wallet from his back pocket and passed Jessica the photo.

  “Is this me?”

  “Yep, I took you out for the day. We went to a farm where they had lots of animals. Sheep, pigs, little goats, guinea pigs, rabbits, ponies. A petting zoo, I think that’s what they called it. You wanted an ice cream, and when I got you one, you wanted to share it with me. You kept smiling and asking me to come closer and lick it. Though I really think your plan was for me to get close so you could stick your ice cream on the lens of the camera.”

  Jessica was smiling, and Fischer felt pleased.

  “It was one of the best days of my life. A few weeks after that, your mother told me she’d met someone else. Someone who could give her and you a better life. We argued a lot. I did love her, but I knew she was right to leave me.”

  “She said you raped her, and I was the result.”

  “Why would she say that?”

  “Well, is it true?”

  “Your mother was just like Moon when I first met her. She got herself clean, and I guess I reminded her of what she used to be like. She wanted a fresh start. I was a constant reminder of her past. I never raped your mother. Why she told you that, I don’t know. All I can think is she wanted to protect you from me. It’s a hateful thing to say, but maybe she was desperate to keep you away from me. She was protecting you, that’s all.”

  “You seem pretty mellow about it.”

  “What can I say? She was right. My life is a mess. I can’t bring you into it. At least, not right now. I… I just wanted you to know me a little bit.”

  “Brilliant. Your dumb kidnapping means you’ll have every copper in the country looking for you.”

  “They already are. It’s why I wanted to see you. I’m leaving the country.”

  “What? When?”

  “Moon helped me break out of prison. It’s another long story.”

  “You were in prison? You broke out?” She gaped at him. “You show up, say hi, and then leave? What is that? It helps you, perhaps, but where does it leave me? You’re so—”

  The bathroom door swung open, and Moon stuck her head around. “I’ve done beans on toast. With grated cheese on top.”

  “Let me properly introduce you,” said Fischer. “Moon, meet Jessica. Jessica, meet Moon. Jessica is my daughter.”

  “Hi, Jess,” said Moon. “I knew he had a secret, and I guessed it was a daughter. He’s been really, like, weird for days. I think he was scared. Look at him – the tough guy, scared by a little girl.”

  “No, I wasn’t scared. And you didn’t know I had a daughter,” said Fischer.

  “Yes, I did. She’s got your ears as well. Soon as I saw her, I knew.”

  “Why does everyone say that?” Fischer got up and looked at his ears in the mirror. “They don’t stick out. Not really. You couldn’t have seen Jess’s ears anyway. Not under her hair.” Fischer started pushing his ears back and mumbling to himself.

  “Sorry about your boyfriend,” said Moon. “I hope he’ll be okay. If Fischer had told me you were his kid, like any normal person would, I would have gone easy on him. Instead, he wanted to keep you a secret.”

  “Are you saying, in a roundabout way, it was my fault?” asked Fi
scher.

  Moon shrugged in a way that suggested it was.

  Jessica laughed at the pair of them. “I was going to dump him soon anyway. He’s not the sharpest tool in the box. I’m not ready for anything serious yet, anyway.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” said Fischer. “He definitely looks too old for you.”

  Jessica and Moon laughed. “I think Fischer’s going for Father of the Year,” said Moon.

  “I’m not sure he’ll win. He’d be disqualified for kidnapping his daughter.”

  “I suddenly feel very ganged up on. Why don’t we see what Moon has cooked up? Her beans on toast really take some beating.” Fischer winked at Jessica and ducked as Moon gave him a playful punch.

  Fischer put out his hand and helped his daughter to her feet.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Will you be okay walking from here?” said Fischer. “There will likely be police all over the place by now, so I don’t want to get too close to the house.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “Of course. I’m not suddenly helpless because you showed up.”

  Moon sniggered from the back seat of the car. Jessica unfastened her seatbelt and twisted around to look at Moon. “Nice to meet you, Moon.”

  “You too, Jess. I hope we meet again soon.”

  Jessica looked at Fischer. “Bye. It’s been… I’m not sure what you call it. Memorable.”

  “One of the best days of my life,” said Fischer.

  “Let’s swap numbers,” said Jessica. She took out her mobile phone.

  “Here’s my phone. You’ll have to do it. I have no idea what my number is.”

  Using her thumbs, Jessica exchanged numbers. “I’m putting you in my phone as Rihanna. Just in case the police decide to go through my contacts.

  “Smart girl,” said Moon.

  “There we go. All done.” Jessica handed Fischer his phone back. “Okay. I’d better go.” Jessica lifted her bag and gripped the handle of the door.