An Old Friend

Sarah opened the email with curiosity, it was from an unfamiliar email account, which she assumed was just a throwaway account, as it was just a series of numbers. The email from '48273426-26435' was sent over three months ago, only a few hours after her accident. The email began,

"Sarah, you probably won't see this email until its too late. But I need to warn you anyway. DO NOT LOOK FOR KATE. I repeat. DO NO LOOK FOR KATE. There are certain forces that wish to keep you away. They have no qualms with taking lives. So long as you do not cross their boundary, you will be safe. However, Kate is a trap. I screwed up. I shouldn't have sent you the second email. I should have let you know earlier, but I was played too. They know we are onto them. Take care. J"

Sarah was honestly shocked at the contents of the email. It appeared that the anonymous sender of those explosive emails had uncovered something that had alerted him to the fact that visiting or looking for Kate would put her in great danger. In retrospect, it had, after all she had been killed.

Sarah shivered and wondered who this mysterious 'J' was, as well as how they first came to know of the Police Minister and the Southern Mafia. She was also curious as to how this person had managed to stay under the radar all this time. Despite all her digging, she was unable to discover one thing about this tipper. At least she now had an initial to go by.

Sarah closed that email only to see a more recent email from the same person. It was sent only two days ago. Simply titled 'Missing', she opened it expecting another surprise

"Sarah, it's good to know you're okay. Sorry I couldn't warn you in time. I have some new information on your story. If you want to know more, call this number. 02-XXXX 90XX. Take care J"

Sarah decided she might as well give the number a call. It dialled for a little while before someone picked up. Sarah was surprised by the voice on the other end. It sounded like a little boy around seven or eight years old.

"Hello? Mum's a little busy. Who is this?"

"Hi, my name is Sarah, what is your name little one?"

"Umm…hi Sarah, but my Mum says I shouldn't tell strangers who I am."

Sarah heard someone yell in the background, 'Who is it?' and the boy replied, 'Someone called Sarah'

A few seconds later Sarah who was still thinking about what to ask the little boy heard a different voice on the line.

"Sorry about that, but is it really you Sarah?"

Sarah could not help but gasp aloud as she recognised the familiar voice.

"Mary? Mary Shipton from high school? Is that really you?"

"Oh, thank God. It really is you. Listen, I know I'm asking a lot, but I need your help. Could you ask your grandfather to help me get out of the country?"

"Wait, Mary. Why do you need to get out of the country? Why my grandfather?"

"Sarah, the man I married after high school is the same one, you're currently investigating. He is in a lot of deep shit and I can't risk the lives of my children. My youngest is only two and if he is going down, I'm not having him drag us all with him. The people who control him are far too powerful, I need someone with significant backing, like your grandfather to protect us. Only he can deter them."

"What? The hunk and great husband you said you were marrying is Dennis Reed, the current Police Minister? How did you get involved with him? He is like twenty years older than you. He could be your dad."

"I know. I know. I was stupid, got drunk and we had sex, next thing I know I was pregnant. When my parents found out they went berserk and they hounded me until I told them who it was. They arranged a marriage the next day with his parents. A nearly forty-year old man and an eighteen-year old girl. Of course, I would rather someone much closer to my age, but the circumstances were against me."

"Fucks sake Mary. This, is why you missed out on your HSC? Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you. You would never have had to give up on your dream like that."

"How could I tell you Sarah? How could I ask for your help? Your family's help like that. I screwed up and I didn't want to take advantage of our friendship like that."

"What do you mean? Then what are friends for if we don't help each other through shit like that."

"No, I couldn't Sarah. Everyone at school knew the problems you were facing at home. It was an open secret and your mother had just been posted overseas. How could I add to your burdens?"

"Fine. Fine. We can't change the past. So, why now? Why didn't you contact me after the first email?"

"What email? Sarah, I have been living under surveillance the last few months. I only managed to get out of the house today because I needed to take my son to the hospital for a check-up. My husband's been coming home late every day reeking of alcohol, cigarettes and sex. I only recently got a note that came in a delivery that said you could help me. It said you were investigating Dennis and his unsavoury connections. It told me to wait for your call. So, Sarah please help me, for old time's sake?"

"Of course, I'd help you Mary, even if I wasn't your friend, I would do the same. Send me your location. I will get Gramps to get people there as soon as possible."

"I'm at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Could you please come as well? I would feel much safer that way."

"Right, sure. I'm only twenty minutes away."

"Thanks, Sarah, I owe you one."

Sarah quickly called her Grandfather and relayed the situation to him. He was at first surprised to hear about Mary's unfortunate situation but was decisive in giving his help. He arranged for a helicopter and a few of his men to get to the hospital first and ensure their safety. He also sent a couple more men to bring Sarah to the hospital.

Sarah hurried down to the street and quickly located the car her Grandfather had sent. Sarah knew her Grandfather always had a few men tailing her to keep her safe after the kidnapping incident those many years ago. However, even they were unable to spot the danger three months ago. By the time they reacted, Sarah had already been hit and the most they could do was pull her out of the car and perform some rudimentary first aid. They had also been instrumental in ensuring no passers-by recognised who she was, stopping rumours of her accident and death on scene.

She got into the car and was greeted by none other than her Grandfather's personal assistant, Calvin. It appeared her Grandfather had grown even more worried about her safety after the recent accident and had sent his personal assistant to keep her safe. Throughout the many years she had known Calvin, they had barely spoken more than a few sentences, usually greetings. She had honestly sometimes forgotten he was there, he was so quiet and blended into the background so easily. In fact, the most she had ever heard him speak was when he was explaining her Grandfather's absences. And this time was no different. He merely greeted her before he told her what they were doing to assist Mary's escape from her husband as well as the measures to be taken to ensure her safety from the people he worked for.

Sarah listened a little absentmindedly only nodding every now and then as she worried about the future of her friend and sympathised with what she had been through these past few years.