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HITCHHIKER [ part 9 ] I opened the door before the officer outside could ring the bell, he wasn’t happy. “YOU HAVE BEEN GIVING US THE RUNAROUND!” He started to say. “One moment officer while I set up the tape recorder.” I said and turned to walk away from the door. He grabbed hold of my arm “Oh no, we’re not going through that again! I’m going to arrest you. . .” He began but then was interrupted himself. “Special Agent Sonja Jones, FBI. This gentleman is under my protection, he’s guarding a kidnap victim!” It was the woman from the car she produced a badge which she showed the policeman. “So what? You’ve no jurisdiction here! So buzz off Yank. This is England!” He was certainly belligerent about something. “On the contrary, your chief constable has agreed to our presence here, I think you’d better check on that now. Mr. Argent is acting on our behalf.” She looked at me, “I think our cover is blown John. Can you call Amanda down while this officer checks with his base.” “If you think that’s wise Sonja.” I said, at her nod I turned to the stairs. “Amanda, will you come down, it’s safe at the moment.” I could hear the officer talking on his radio, “But Sarge! It that Argent bloke, you know the one that we had a warning about! He’s a known pedo . . . Well, no. Not proven, it’s just on . . . how do they know about him? . . . What! But Sarge! . . . Sarge! . . . Alright Sarge.” He returned to me a defeated man. “Well officer?” Sonja asked him. “In this case you’re in control . . . but you know that this man’s a . . .” The officer was saying but Sonja interrupted “What evidence do you have against him?” She asked him. “Well it’s well known, we had a special report sent to us.” He told her, I pricked up my ears at that. “Where from officer?” At his blank look I persisted, “From where did the special report come from? It wouldn’t have been from a certain magistrate’s office would it?” He was very uncomfortable, “Well … yes, it did. It said that you were known to social services and should be monitored closely. A few of the boys wanted to teach you a lesson, we don’t want your type in the area.” “So you decided to believe a message from the man with whom my wife moved in with after taking my daughter with her. A daughter that I’ve been refused contact with even up to the point where my former wife decided to lie to social services against me and a court order from her lover to restrain me from seeing her.” I said, the bitterness in my voice was obvious. “I didn’t know that! All I was told. . .” The officer said. “Were the lies that were passed on, and without evidence you decided to judge me! Believe me officer I’m not the person that I’ve been painted.” I finished for him. Amanda hugged me tightly. “He isn’t, all the time I’ve been here and he hasn’t abused me once! I don’t know what you think he is, but to me he’s a lot better than my daddy, in fact I call him daddy John.” She told the surprised officer. He looked from Amanda to me and then to Sonja. “I don’t understand . . . I mean a magistrate wouldn’t tell lies, would he?” Sonja shook her head, “You should know by now that everyone lies about things, why should his position mean that he’s any different? Now why did you come back here?” Sonja was interested in his answer, as was I. “We got a call to the station, an anonymous caller said that she saw a young girl in your house and that we should do something about it.” The officer was looking at Amanda, still holding tight to my waist. “Uhh! Honey, has this man tried to do anything with you?” He asked the young girl. Amanda looked puzzled, “What do you mean? He made me eat my dinner off a plate, is that what you meant?” she asked him. “No, darling, what I mean is has he tried to touch you . . . you know down there.” He pointed to Amanda’s crouch. Amanda put a disgusted look on her face, “NO daddy John’s never tried anything like that, that’s naughty!” She sounded like a very disgusted 10 year old. The officer looked closely at Amanda, “You sure about that darling, this man is supposed to be very bad with children.” Amanda shook her head, “Not daddy John, he’s been very nice to me. You’re the one who’s being nasty, calling daddy John names” And then she turned back to me. “Daddy John, take me away from this nasty man.” I turned to the officer, “You heard the young lady, now is there anything else you need to know?” “Just one thing sir,” — the sir had a touch of respect in it now — “When we called on Friday evening, the girl was in the house. Where was she?” He asked me. “She was in the kitchen, why do you think I kept on suggesting that you look there!” I said. He just shook his head in wonderment. “And Rob said you were trying to mislead us, and that’s why we didn’t bother! Sod it!” He added, but now he was grinning. “I must remember that sometime. He nodded to me and then Sonja. “Thank you Mr. Argent, Agent. If you need help just call I’ll ensure you’ll get immediate action.” “Thank you officer.” I shook his hand, it seemed strange to do that since only a few minutes ago he was going to arrest me and now he appeared to be on my side, it would be nice to know exactly who is was that reported me. I let the police officer out of the house and returned to the living room where Amanda and Sonja seemed to be talking in code. A glance from Amanda told me to leave them alone. I abandoned myself to the kitchen, I debated opening a bottle of whisky, but decided against it — I did once allow myself to dive into a bottle after Wendy and her mother left, but finally decided to pull myself out, I don’t want to do it again! Looking at the time I decided to make some coffee — I know we English are supposed to drink tea, but sometime you need the beans to help as well. Well I cheated, it was instant coffee instead. I was seated at the table and was drinking a cup of coffee when the woman Sonja entered the room she sniffed the air — I indicated the kettle, cups and instant coffee jar, she looked at the label and shuddered but made herself a cup — black and joined me at the table. “How can you stand her?” Sonja asked me. I smiled, “Why do you think I keep her tied up like that.” Sonja laughed, “I know, it looked really hot you know.” I looked at her in surprise she held up her hands, “I know, I should be more straight laced! But that wasn’t how I was raised, I supposed that I’d be like her if my parents stayed in Ropeville, but dad got moved around to everywhere and mom just managed to keep me in the picture.” I frowned, “Where? I don’t think I’ve heard of it?” I said, although thinking about it that was where Amanda had said she was from, it just hadn’t registered. Sonja looked at me in surprise. “Sorry, from the way you trussed her up this morning I thought you’d already been contacted. I must admit our briefing was a bit sparse. From the conversation with that policeman I take it there’s a problem in your background.” The kitchen door opened and Amanda walked in, she looked at me and extended her arms, I gave up and moved the chair back, picked her up and placed her on my lap, she smiled at me and then tasted my coffee, made a face and added more sugar to it. “Tell her daddy John, she might be able to help you.” Amanda said and so I found myself telling this complete stranger the story of my marriage, my subsequent life and how I met with Amanda. ---- When I finished Sonja looked thoughtful, “So this man’s been running a vendetta against you, and because of his position you have little chance of defending yourself. Why didn’t you move to another town?” She asked me. “Because that would be tantamount to admitting they’re right, I’m not going to do that!” I told her seriously, “I’m here to fight them no matter what they say.” She didn’t smile at my words or my attitude, I now turned my attention to Amanda. “As for you, young lady, why did you lie to that police officer?” I asked her. “I didn’t lie to anyone!” She said. “But you did, we both heard you.” I said. “I didn’t.” Her voice was shrill at this point. “He asked me if you tried to touch me down there . . . and you didn’t.” She told me. “But Amanda I did touch you there. And also here.” I tickled her breasts making her laugh. “Yes I know you did, so you didn’t try to touch me because you did touch me. So I didn’t lie to anyone.” She finished showing her logic at work. I turned to Sonja, “So what am I supposed to do with her?” I asked. But Sonja shook her head, “Don’t bring me into this! I’m only here to observe you.” She said smiling. Amanda now vied for my attention by pulling on my arm — I looked down at her and cocked an eye at her. “Daddy John you said I had to be punished.” “But after they way you saved me from that policeman do you think you still deserve it?” I asked her. “But I told him a lie!” She said, “I shouldn’t lie to anyone. And I was very naughty, I did lose the collar.” She added. I looked at Sonja, “I don’t know . . . should I punish her?” She again shook her head, “I’ve already said that I’m an observer. It’s up to you.” I set Amanda on the floor and then said, “Go and get the camera, I’m sure your mother will enjoy the view.” Amanda laughed as she ran out of the room. Sonja also got up. “I’d better return to my post, Angie will be taking over soon.” I rose and escorted her to the door, “Thank you for your help Sonja, I’m not sure what would have happened if you hadn’t.” She looked embarrassed. “I had to John, Amanda wouldn’t have had any protection, and she is my main concern.” I smiled at her. “I know that. I’ll do my best to make sure she doesn’t come into any harm.” “Daddy John, I’m waiting” Came a call from upstairs. We both looked in that direction and smiled, “Well any more than necessary that is!” I finished. Sonja went to her car and settled down, I then started up the stairs to Amanda. |