Read Dreamwalkers Book One - The Intruder. A Markland Garraway Paranormal Mystery Thriller Page 21

  Chapter 20

 

  Coasters Coffee Shop

  13th October

  6.21 p.m.

 

  Han sat opposite Howie in the small café. Howie tucked into a slice of Rocky Road, whilst Han half-heartedly pushed a slice of Millionaire Shortcake around the place. The two had met to discuss their thoughts about what had happened to James.

  The Café was busy and the two men struggled to hear one another over the chit chat of customers, and the hissing cappuccino machine.

  Howie hadn’t yet told Han about his experiences in Badock’s Wood, nor his heated conversation with Markland. He considered whether the right time to tell Han everything was now. He took a sip of tepid coffee and cleared his throat.

  “Do you recall a story which hit the headlines a few years ago? The one about the murder in the woods near Southmead?”

  Han shook his head. He was half listening and his attention was momentarily elsewhere.

  “Which planet have you been on for the past few years? You can’t have missed it. It’s the story of the hypnotised toddler who helped solve the murder case of a man who was killed in Badock’s Wood.”

  “Oh yeah, yeah, I remember. You don’t believe all that hocus pocus junk do you?” said Han, in a disinterested voice.

  “Actually I do. I’ve read the book written by Tom Judd, the hypnotist fella, who was able to get the toddler to give the information to the police.”

  “So what’s this got to do with my James?”

  “Well, the night after he’d returned to your room, I visited the woods. I’d just finished reading Judd’s book and I thought I might get some answers.”

  “What sort of answers?”

  “To some of the strange things that have happened. You know, his physical appearance with that scar beneath his eye moving to the other side of his face, and also the fact that he’s now left handed. Not to mention how his recollections of his life are so different to the memories you and I have of him.”

  “Did anything happen in the woods?”

  “I saw something when I sat on the hill, the same hill where the murder happened.”

  Han stared at Howie, waiting for him to continue.

  “I saw hundreds and hundreds of versions of James’ face, all spinning around one another, and no face was the same. I mean, I knew it was James, but each was a little different.”

  “It sounds like you were drunk,” interrupted Han.

  “No, I wasn’t. I’d not touched a drop.”

  Han shook his head dismissing what Howie was saying.

  “The thing is,” added Howie, “The detective who solved the murder case, his name is Garraway, he now works at the school. He’s at Compton Wells. Don’t you think that’s a coincidence?”

  Han was confused, and becoming irritated by Howie.

  “I don’t see the connection with James, I can’t see where you’re going with this.”

  “Where I’m going with this? I’ll tell you where I’m going with this. The hill in the woods is a Bronze Age burial mound, it’s over five thousand years old, and there’s something about it. It knows stuff and has secrets. It’s what was behind the hypnotised kid helping Garraway solve the murder case. I’m sure it’s trying to tell me something.”

  “Okay, so you think that the woods have some kind of magical powers that can solve the mystery of what happened to my son.” stated Han.

  “Well, you have to admit, his disappearance and reappearance is a little more than odd.”

  Han nodded as he digested what Howie was saying.

  “The thing is, I don’t think I have what it takes to work out what the burial mound is trying to tell me……… so I spoke with Mr Garraway.”

  “You spoke with the police about my son?”

  “He’s no longer a policeman, he’s a retired detective….. anyway, he was less than forthcoming when I asked him to help……. but don’t worry, I have a plan. I have something in mind, and I think I can work on him.”

  “What kind of plan?” asked Han curiously.

  Howie winked and tapped the side of his nose.

  “I’m working on something.”

  Han was tired after a stressful few weeks, and wasn’t taking in what Howie was saying.

  “All I’m suggesting is that I may find some answers in the woods.”

  “I’m not too familiar with the story of what happened in the woods, but I don’t suppose it would do any harm for you to try and get this detective fella on our side.” said Han in a strained voice.

  A waiter hovered over their table, waiting to take away their empty plates and cups.

  “Okay, do what you need to do and keep me informed,” said Han, standing up and putting his jacket on.

  Howie dropped a few coins on the table, and followed Han out of the door.

  “Don’t worry Mr Trafford, we’ll sort this out. We’ll get to the bottom of it, and get your son back.”

  “James is back, but I just want the real James home with me.” added Han quietly, before the two men went their separate ways.