Page 144 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
Devan stared wide-eyed at Jonty.
“Brad told me.” Jonty turned to the policemen. “You have to arrest him for attempted murder.”
Brad was coughing up water, but he lifted his head and glared at Jonty. “I fucking tried to save your life.”
“You can’t swim. I went into the sea to get away from you.”
A paramedic came across the sand towards them carrying blankets and a kit box. Devan wrapped a blanket around Jonty’s shoulders before he took one for himself.
“You need to arrest him.” Jonty grew more agitated and Devan pulled the blanket tighter around him. “I was in the house reading and he broke in and threatened me. I left my phone on and Devan heard and called you.”
“You have details on file of him harassing Jonty,” Devan said. “He’s reported him before. Please don’t let him out of your sight.”
One of the policemen moved away and spoke into his radio. The other, the one who was soaked, stood wrapped in a blanket next to the paramedic who was busy with Brad who was coughing up water. Devan didn’t like the way Brad was staring at Jonty. The guy was dangerous. If the police didn’t do something, he’d have to. Devan hugged Jonty to him and wrapped his own blanket around Jonty’s back, but didn’t take his eyes off Brad Greene.
“I’m so cold.” Jonty shuddered against him.
The other policeman came back. “My colleague at the station has informed me of what was happening between you and Mr Greene. There’s an ambulance on the way to take him to hospital. If the paramedic says you don’t require treatment, then we’ll drive you home. But we need you to come into Alnwick station this afternoon to give statements.”
“Please don’t let Greene out of your sight,” Devan said.
“He’ll be detained pending enquiries.” The policeman walked over to where Brad had dumped his keys and wallet and picked them up.
Jonty gave a quiet moan and pressed harder against Devan. The paramedic checked them both out and Devan was relieved when he said they’d be fine. The ambulance crew arrived and took Brad to hospital accompanied by the policeman who’d helped pull him out of the sea. The other policeman gave Jonty and Devan a lift back to the house after Devan had retrieved his phone, keys and wallet.
“Sorry about wetting your car,” Jonty said as they climbed out at the house.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m PC Andrew Wells. My colleague’s PC Steve Nelson. Ask for either of us this afternoon.”
Devan hung back as PC Wells unlocked Brad’s car. He clicked open the boot and when he looked inside, pressed his lips together.
“What?” Devan asked.
He and Jonty walked over. Rope, cable ties and duct tape.
“A kidnap kit?” Jonty blurted.
“It might be,” the PC said. “Can I have a look around the house?”
“Sure.” Devan opened the door.
“He must have had a key,” Jonty said. “How would he get a key? When we came back yesterday, there was a small amount of sand on the floor. I was sure it hadn’t been there when we left.”
“You think he came in yesterday?” the policeman asked.
“Yes. He said something odd when I asked him about the sand. That it wasn’t only the sand he’d left, but the sand had been an accident. So what did he leave on purpose?” Jonty moaned. “He put a snake through my letterbox where I lived before.”
The policeman looked around the kitchen and the living area. Jonty pulled the bi-fold door closed.
“Tell me what happened?” the policeman asked as he continued to look around.
“I was reading a book on the couch. I’d just spoken to Devan on the phone and I heard the door open. I called Devan back and left the phone on. Brad appeared in front of me. He told me he hadn’t finished with me, that I was to pack a bag and write a letter to Devan. I made a break for the door, we struggled, but I got away and went into the sea. He can’t swim. The first time I went in, I drifted closer to the beach without realising and Brad grabbed me. I struggled, ran again and when I saw Devan coming with a policeman, I went back into the water. Brad came after me, but he was drowning and close to drowning me. Devan and your colleague saved him.”
“Do you know what that is?” The policeman pointed to a small black disc on the top bookshelf.
Devan ground his teeth. “It looks like a camera.”
“A camera?” Jonty’s eyes widened.
