Chapter Thirteen: Radio Silence

Audrey woke the next morning to find Stephen still fast asleep besides her. She forgot for a split second what she knew. Then it came back to her and everything he said he did was engraved on her mind. She didn't want to wake him so she just watched him sleep a bit longer. She briefly looked towards the cushion but shook her head. No, he never would do that to her. The woman slowly got up from the bed and quietly made her way out the bedroom. Shutting the door and walking towards the stairs. She leaned against the bannister, trying to think. What should she do? She couldn't just leave it, could she? As she was turned around, the bedroom door opened as Stephen stood in the doorway. Audrey gasped...

"Stephen" Audrey nervously spoke as she turned back around; still gripping onto the bannister.

"Why are you scared?" Stephen asked as if it was a stupid question.

"I'm not scared, Stephen. I'm just absolutely defeated...Did you mean everything you said last night?"

"Which words?"

"Do you wish for me to repeat them? I heard serial killers enjoy hearing detailed descriptions of their crimes" Audrey paused as she felt tears coming down again as she shouted out..."You killed your dad! The man who brought you up...Why would you do such a thing?"

"I didn't kill him! I just watched him die...I never would have killed dad!" Stephen shouted back.

His mother shaking at his response as she remained standing. Frozen still from fright and it was clear to him that's what she was feeling. She had a lot of thoughts about this defence. It didn't make it any better for her, no; he didn't kill him. He just watched the life drain from his eyes. All for money. The root of all evil had never sounded more true to her.

"What I don't get, Stephen. Is why it took you so long to come to this conclusion...Why didn't you think this twenty or thirty years ago? Where's that young man I met who was sweet and lovely? That man who gave Nicky a job? Or have you always used your fists?" Audrey began to ask.

"I did dodgy deals. I'm not proud to admit it-" Stephen was cut off.

"But there's a difference between a dodgy deal and whatever this is. Being a ducker and a diver is not the same as being...well, whatever you are now" Audrey responded in a shaky tone of voice.

"I promise I never done anything like this before. Dad was just there...We had an argument and he had a heart attack. I panicked, he could hardly talk. I just left before he drew his final breath" Stephen insisted.

Almost like he was trying to limit the damage like a bad business meeting. He was different in the cold light of day. Stephen was now trying to make everything seem like it wasn't that cold.

"Right. And Leo?" Audrey then asked.

"Another mistake. A grave mistake...We were fighting on the factory balcony and he went to stirke me. So I struck him first, he fell into the bin himself. He knocked his head. And I knew if I rang for help, my life would be over. And I'm not young, mom. I will die in prison"

"Teddy? Another mistake or did you mean that one?"

"No! Mom...I'm not a monster or some sort of sicko who got a kick out of this. Teddy kept shouting and shouting. He was going to tell the police about Leo. Is that would you have wanted? Me to go to prison? Because I would rather be dead than go to prison. Pity hanging has been abolished...I should be hung, I know" Stephen spoke back to her.

Audrey let more tears down as her dear son began to tell her all this. This was all a big mistake he says.

"And Geoff?" Audrey questioned; turning to the final chapter.

"I...I was running out of time. He began to question me and was starting to see the cracks. I explained to him I was in debt. I needed money quick, it was my last chance. My last chance of digging myself out of this hole" Stephen answered.

"How did you do it?"

"You don't want to know that-"

"I'll tell you what I want to know, Stephen. And I want to know that"

"What good will it do?"

"It was that bad? You told me how the others died. Why is this any different? Hm? Is it because you're planning on doing it to me? Or did you find another parent to steal from first?" Audrey asked.

She watched as Stephen began to pace around. Bothered clearly by his mother's questions and words. Audrey didn't think she had much to lose by asking him everything that was on her mind. There was no going back the minute he told her about the murders. His buried feelings began to resurface as he turned back around to face her. Audrey tried to look as unbothered as she could do but she was scared deep down.

"Except you're not any parent! And never have been!" Stephen snapped with his finger pointing.

"I couldn't live up to Joyce?"

"No you couldn't. She was there for me when I really needed it and I sometimes wished she was here ins...I wish she lived to see me make something of myself"

"And what would she think now? Would she be proud? I use to be proud of you...So much. Everybody knew it. Even Blanche Hunt knew it...Now I don't know what to think!" Audrey cried.

"Mom wouldn't have given me up. She would have got me through this mess. You're eager to throw me out again first chance you get!"

"Oh she's mom now, is she? Then do me in...You're still in the will. Do me in if you're going to do it. It will save me living in fear again!" Audrey sobbed.

Stephen stormed over towards her and she closed her eyes. Expecting to feel something any minute now. Though all she heard was a loud thump as Stephen punched the wall nearest to her. Before forcing himself backwards, putting his head in his hands as he tried to hide his tears. Audrey breathing in as she looked towards the slightly dent wall. Then she looked towards her son, an ugly muffled crying mess he was currently.

...

"Is there no chance for us to put things right? I'm on your side, Sarah. I just don't want to fall out with mam" Gail spoke to her daughter in the factory.

The mother and daughter trying to ignore Carla's glare. Sarah was currently on her tea break. The younger woman just gave a shrug, taking another sip. Sarah didn't want to fall out with her gran either. This was only about Stephen after all and they had been through worse as a family. David has done awful things she thought however he was so young when he did it. It just seemed different, David wasn't that troubled teenager anymore. Stephen meanwhile seemed to have been hiding his real self from them all.

"I want to make things right, mum. I really do...I've been speaking to Adam about it actually. He wants to sue Stephen and get him locked up for fraud, I have managed to persuade him not to do. So I have been doing my bit here" Sarah explained with her arms crossed.

"Adam won't go behind your back of course?"

"No. Look, we could pop round after I finish work today. See them both and talk through it. I do still love him, mum. He's my uncle. I just wouldn't want to work with him again"

"Nick offered him a job but he refused. Had an argument about money and insists he's getting twenty grand. Wouldn't tell him where it's from, do you have any idea?"

"I don't know anything about him anymore. He's lied so much...This is probably another one of those. He's obviously buying time because he owes Elaine that money" Sarah reminded her.

Carla was discreetly listening in from her desk. Thinking how much she dodged a bullet by sacking him when she did. She briefly stopped typing during this, quickly beginning again when Gail gave her a look. Sarah gave her a look as she told her she has to go back to work soon. Thus Gail picked up her bag as Sarah began walking her back out the factory. Getting some stares from the factory lot as she went towards the factory door.

"I'll text you when I finish. I'll try and get off early. Then we can go to grans" Sarah assured her.

"Okay Sarah. Thank you. David is still not even budging on this. He hates Stephen and wants us all to know it" Gail said with a sigh.

"He's just bitter-"

"Sarah-"

"No mum, he is. Look let's not argue with each other again. Not over old news anyway. David is forever bitter. Me and you are the only ones to fix this, as per usual" Sarah answered with a look.

Gail just nodding as she couldn't say she was wrong about the last bit. The two of them gave each other a quick hug before departing. Gail walking along the cobbles back to her house. She tried Audrey's mobile again (not knowing it was broken) and found it wasn't even going to voicemail. She was worried but she didn't know why really. It was a just a gut feeling that this was beyond money troubles, she doesn't doubt it started that way but she doesn't buy it has ended that simple.

...

A car pulled outside of Audrey's a few hours later. The house was silent by this point. Stephen and Audrey were quietly sat in the kitchen near the pantry, not knowing what to say to one another. How does one move on from this? The silence was broken by the knocking on the door. Elaine was there as she was worried about Stephen not answering her calls or his phone not even going to voicemail. The knocking gave Stephen a fright...

"I haven't rang them" Audrey simply remarked; watching as he moved backwards. Letting himself into the pantry and closing it..."Stephen!" Audrey hissed quietly as she looked at the shut pantry door.

The knocking carried on and Audrey forced herself up. Wanting to get rid of whoever this was. She opened the door to find Elaine and she just stared at her like she wasn an alien from outer space. The usually chatty Audrey didn't want to talk or even look at her.

"Hi Audrey. Sorry to bother you...Is Stephen here? It's just he hasn't been answering my calls and I'm worried" Elaine began to explain.

"He's in the pantry" Audrey responded in a deadpan tone of voice.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said. He's in the pantry...Unless you want to get my sauces and sugar on your person as well. I suggest you get out of my sight" Audrey hissed quietly.

Taking her anger out on somebody that wasn't family to make herself feel a tad better. Elaine thought she was being funny with her for no reason as she just scoffed in disbelief. Not knowing how to respond to such a hostile yet ridiculous statement. What was her issue with her?

"I don't know what I have done to upset you and I'm very sorry if I have. If he's not here, all you had to do was say" Elaine spoke with a complexed expression.

"You know you're never getting that twenty grand from him" Audrey told her bluntly.

The pantry door opened suddenly as Stephen made his way into the hallway. Sugar was indeed on his jumper as he made his way over. Elaine looked at him with an even more confused look.

"Stephen. Can we talk in private? Your mother's upset with me for reasons I do not know. I...Why were you in the pantry? What's going on here?" Elaine began to ask with much puzzlement.

"I was busy. I don't know what to tell you. I can't give you all the money. I can give you the bits that remain in my bank account and that's all" Stephen managed to say as he stood besides Audrey.

"Stephen. I care about you" Elaine admitted despite Audrey's presence.

"Well he doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about anything but money. So save your breath!" Audrey hissed.

Shoving past her son and retreating upstairs. Slamming her bedroom door as she got up there. This left Elaine and Stephen alone downstairs, he looked upstairs however with much regret. He regretted ever telling his elderly mother, she couldn't handle this and she shouldn't have to. His demons should be his alone he thought. He just looked so pathetic to Elaine.

"Tell me what's wrong. Please" Elaine pleaded quietly; holding onto his hand.

"I haven't got any money to give you"

"Okay. And you're worried I'm going to get you into trouble over it? Well you and your mum will be pleased to know. I wouldn't do that" Elaine insisted.

"Even if this relationship goes no further?"

"What?"

"I don't want a relationship with you, Elaine" Stephen finally admitted.

Elaine's face turned to heartbreak as she just nodded. Trying not to let him see her get upset over this comment. So he had just used all this time after all, her family and friends were right. She didn't know where to go from here as she still wanted some money back at least but she couldn't face him at the same time. Didn't have the energy to argue.

"Maybe not straight away. Can't we at least be friends?" Elaine asked shakily.

"No. I don't want any sort of relationship with you. It's for your own good, trust me. I'm an awful person"

"No you're not! This is Gabrielle talking, isn't it?" Elaine questioned. Finally letting tears fall down her face.

"I lied about her. She was never controlling"

"Did she tell you to say this?"

"No Elaine! Why aren't you listening? I'm a fraud...I lied to you and pretended to like you for your money. I knew what your weak spot was and I exploited it. And I'm sorry for it"

Elaine paused for a moment to reflect before slapping him around the face. Finally turning around and going back to her car. Giving him once last glare before driving away. Audrey watching from her window.

...

"Right. Let's go" Sarah spoke as she and Gail began walking towards the bus stop. Planning on going to Audrey's.

"Oi! You two...Are you going to Audrey's?" Tim suddenly asked as he came out of his house on seeing them.

The women turned around to see him looking very angry. Elaine has been crying to Sally about Stephen. Tim knows what he said and that the money isn't coming, he has used his mother and stole twenty grand from her.

"What it's to you?" Sarah questioned with her arms crossed.

"Maybe because your uncle has made a complete fool out of my mother. He's told her as good as that he only used her and that she won't ever see that twenty grand. He's skint. And I expect somebody to pay her back. Because if not, I'm ringing the police" Tim warned her.

"I'm so sorry, Tim. Listen, I feel awful because it's partly my fault. Me and Michael have been talking so much about this. Can you give us a bit longer to look through everything?"

"No I bloody well can't! You know how long we have been hearing this?"

"Don't ring the police, Tim. I'm begging you. This isn't mine or Michael's fault so let us pay you back. I promise if it's not in your mum's bank account by next month. You can do it. That's how certain we are" Sarah assured him.

Gail's mouth slightly dropped as she didn't think this should be Sarah's problem. Though she kept quiet as she didn't want Tim ringing the police on Stephen either. Blood was thicker than water.

"One month, Sarah. And if not, I'm going to the station" Tim promised. Turning back around and going back inside his home.

...

Once again, Audrey found herself having to answer the door. Gail and Sarah giving her a small smile. Stephen was in his bedroom again, avoiding any further contact for a bit. Audrey invited them in straight away as her nerves were shot and she needed some support. They followed her into the living room as they sat themselves down, waiting for Audrey to begin.

"Sarah wants to make up" Gail told Audrey.

"Oh. And she has to do it now?" Audrey asked with a small scoff.

Her hands were shaking during this brief exchange. Sarah was very concerned as she leaned in closer.

"Gran. I never wanted to fall out with you or Stephen. I just got scared and I didn't know how to react. I never really dealt with this sort of thing before, Stephen did all the work in Milan. I was just a really close member of the team" Sarah began.

"Not close enough" Audrey replied without thinking.

"Mam. She's trying to make amends despite doing nothing wrong. Why don't you give her something back" Gail spoke up suddenly.

"Was Malcolm really senile or did you make that up?" Audrey asked out of nowhere.

This made Gail scoff as she thought her mother was being unbearable for the sake of it. Sarah gave a confused yet insulted look in return but tried to contain her composure. She did wonder where all this was coming from but guessed it was Stephen. He's probably been badmouthing her a bit since she cut him from the business he helped invest in.

"Did Stephen tell you all of this? If you must know, I really liked Malcolm. And so did Bethany. It was a long time ago but I think Stephen is still upset over how things ended. Malcolm's death was unexpected and I think it messed Stephen up a bit having to find him there. I don't know what this has to do with now but it's obviously been spoken about by him to you" Sarah began to explain.

"What was he really like in Milan? When I wasn't there?" Audrey then asked.

"Good. Stephen was a top boss actually and Malcolm was a sweetheart. Like a grandfather to Bethany. You know that already though. He got a bit senile in his final year like I told you years ago. He kept saying that Stephen was dodgy and I should return to England with Bethany. Are you thinking he was right?"

"Well what do you think?"

"I think in hindsight that maybe he was right. But even a broken clock is right twice a day. Malcolm had problems and he got confused, kept saying Gabrielle was in on Stephen's dodgy deals, kept saying how Stephen will hurt somebody really badly one day-"

"What?"

"Oh. That was because he thought he saw him threatening some guy ages ago. I don't remember the exact details" Sarah responded.

Gail was listening in with deep interest to all of this. Audrey meanwhile was taking mental notes. Maybe Malcolm wasn't senile at all, he never was. Stephen so much as admitted it.

"And his death. What do you remember?" Audrey then questioned.

"Heart attack. He was old and a bit overweight. Doctors said it was just a given and he was lucky to have survived for as long as he did. He was pushing 90 by the time he died. He lived a good life, gran" Sarah tried to assure her.

Though this just made Audrey blubber up from nowhere. She felt Gail suddenly moved couch as she put her arm around her mother. Audrey crying into her daughter's arms. The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs made Audrey forced herself apart from her. As she wiped away her tears and waited for Stephen's eventful entrance. Though he had more than just himself as he came down with a packed suitcase.

"Stephen. Where are you going?" Sarah asked in shock as she stood up.

"Mom doesn't want me here anymore" Stephen insisted.

"I didn't say that. I never would say that. Though maybe you should go for a couple days. Come back when you're back to your old self" Audrey suggested as if it was that easy.

Stephen passed his credit card over to Sarah with the pin written down. Telling her to do what she wanted with the little bit he had left in there. This may have been general or a ploy, Audrey couldn't tell anymore. He's lied and did evil things all in the name of money. Why would he just act like it was unimportant now? Maybe he knew himself that he went too far.

"But you don't have any other money" Gail reminded him from the couch.

"It doesn't matter. Money's ruined me. Just like dad said it would...I know you been talking about him again. I don't know what I'm going to do exactly but I'll find something. A night under the stars might do me good" Stephen said.

"Oh come on now. This is stupid...Nick's been in debt before but it doesn't have to go this far. Stephen, you need to stop this stupid talk. You couldn't survive out there without money or family. You just couldn't" Sarah said.

"I'm scared of myself. I hate myself for what I'm doing to you and to mom. I hate myself" Stephen spoke in a shaky tone of voice.

"Why?" Sarah dared to ask.

He briefly looked towards his mother. She turned away, he gave a nod to himself. He passed the keys over to Sarah. Taking his suitcase as he began to walk away from the living room. He opened the front door. Despite Sarah's pleas as she tried to get him to stay. Gail not far behind however Audrey just let him go without a fight. Which is what made him keep on walking and walking. His sister and niece shouting his name was the last thing he heard as he walked on in the bitter late night. The women walked back inside as it was fruitless.

"Oh God...Oh God" Audrey kept muttering to herself as she once again fell into tears.

...

TBC