Isobel nodded. Brain took a book on flowers from a drawer and flicked through until he found the page. The note was pressed between a page showing beautiful roses. He touched it with his fingertips. “Anne wrote the number down and then put it in her phone. She tore off the piece of paper and I kept it.”
“You asked her for a picture too.”
“Yes, I just wanted something of her. I wanted something to remember her.”
Isobel could feel a lump in her throat: a photo and a piece of paper. Quickly she copied the number to her phone.
Brian looked at her. “I’m glad I told you. I think I can trust you. I feel relieved.”
Isobel could feel tears on her eyelashes. “I promise we’ll do everything we can for Anne. Please don’t do anything until we see how things go.”
“No, of course not. Let me know when things are sorted. I would just like to know that she’s safe.”
Isobel nodded. Speech was beyond her. In her heart she too hoped that Anne was safe.
Chapter 21
Isobel was thoughtful on the train back from Petersfield. Brian’s revelation could be crucial in understanding what was going on, if it was the truth. He hadn’t frightened her at all this time, but she could feel a part of her was still suspicious of him. He was just a bit too intense, too in love with Anne, too unable to let her go. When her carriage emptied she stayed seated and in the comparative quiet made a phone call.
The voice that answered her had a brisk, businesslike tone. “Yes?” Nothing else.
“Hello, my name is Isobel McKenzie, I was hoping to meet and talk to someone in person.”
Nothing.
“I got your number from the shelter in Petersfield.”
“Are you in trouble?” The voice was slightly more accommodating.
“I need help with something.” Not quite a lie but not an honest answer to the question. “Please, can you meet me today?”
“All right. I’m in London.”
“I know.”
“Can you meet me in the café of the National Gallery? About an hour from now – can you make that?”
“Yes, I can be there in an hour, thank you.”
“I’ll be wearing a black jumper with a pink scarf. My name is Julia. What will you be wearing?”
Isobel glanced down at her top. “An emerald green blouse with a black cardigan. My hair is short and blond at the front.”
“See you in an hour.”
When Isobel arrived in the large refectory-type room that was the café of the National Gallery, it was busy. There was a pleasant din of people talking, exchanging ideas. There were a number of smaller tables and it was at one of these that Isobel saw a woman with a bright pink scarf. As she registered her the woman smiled and subtly nodded.
Isobel weaved her way through the tables.
“Julia?”
Julia smiled and put out her hand.
Isobel took it, saying, “I’m Isobel McKenzie. Let me get a coffee and a refill for you.”
Julia nodded.
In the queue Isobel mused that Julia was probably attributing her jumpiness to the wrong reason. Starting with a misunderstanding or an untruth was never good for communication and getting Julia to trust her and maybe help was going to be an uphill challenge.
Isobel settled at the table and studied Julia surreptitiously. She was in her sixties with curly, grey hair quite untamed and a tanned face with lines which showed a great capacity to smile. Her eyes were blue, sharp, and full of life. She was calm and seemed strong, a rock, someone you could depend on. She was also undoubtedly a woman to be reckoned with – you would want her in your corner.
Isobel decided to take the initiative. “Julia, I got your number from Brian Poole.” There was no response, just patient listening. “The reason I got it is because of Anne Banks.” Julia really had a poker face, she thought. “I’m involved because Anne’s solicitor recruited me as a consultant.”
“Ms McKenzie, I cannot see that we have anything to talk about.” As Julia spoke she used the table to push herself to her feet.
Isobel half rose too and gently touched her arm. “Please hear my story. I’m gravely worried about Anne’s safety. Please listen to what I have to say and then decide.”
“I’m a busy woman, Ms McKenzie!”
“I’m concerned about a woman’s life.”
“I deal with women whose lives are under threat every day. You’re not under any threat so I can’t help you. I’m not an information service, for obvious reasons.”
“Of course, of course. But listen, someone is impersonating Anne Banks. We’ve only just found that out. We don’t know where Anne is. I’ve just heard from Brian what her husband did to her. I’m afraid that Anne’s husband is going to get away with God knows what. Please, I know you can’t break confidentiality but just listen and then decide.”
Julia sat back down but her face remained inscrutable.
Isobel took a deep breath. “We’re waiting on the results of a DNA test. Anne’s sister Claire says that the woman claiming to be Anne is not her sister. Thomas Banks has someone impersonating his wife so he can defraud her and get full custody of their son ‘legitimately’.” Isobel used air quotes. “To tell the truth, we have no idea what’s happening but after talking to Anne’s friend Brian, and if what he says is true, then I’m starting to wonder if Thomas has murdered his wife and is covering it up. I’ve only managed to get the police to do a DNA test because I know someone, and he called in a favour. Even when we prove it isn’t Anne, I don’t know if they will help us. We’ve talked to a number of people Anne knew and the story that’s going round is that she’s an alcoholic who is getting sober. As a result she’s been staying away from contact with everyone who previously knew her, even her son. It was only yesterday that her sister Claire confirmed that that the woman is an imposter and even so some people don’t believe it, hence the DNA test, the results of which should be back tonight. We only have a few days before the divorce papers are due to be signed. We need to find out what’s happening quickly and see what we can do.”
Even to herself, Isobel could hear how upset she was and how personal this had become for her. She stopped and put her hand on her forehead, tears not far away. Running her fingers through her hair, buying time to compose herself, she looked up. Julia was regarding her with a soft look in her eyes. In that moment Isobel knew why women would come to this woman and trust her.
For a few seconds Julia regarded her as if looking into her soul and then she said, “So you’re concerned for Anne’s safety?”
“Yes. I’m concerned that something has happened to her and a cover-up is being perpetrated, and is working, let me tell you. Tonight hopefully we’ll know unequivocally if someone is impersonating Anne. Even if we are believed, we’ll still have no idea what’s happened to her.” Isobel paused. “Initially we were just told the story about alcoholism. But there were a few people who had concerns about her relationship with Thomas. I’ve just spoken to Brian and under duress he told me about Thomas nearly strangling her. I need to know if he’s telling me the truth or if this is something he’s concocted for his own ends. I just thought, if you could corroborate Brian’s story that would help me to understand what might be going on. I could then make a stronger case to Anne’s solicitor and maybe the police. When the results come in tonight it will be make-or-break time. I have to get everyone to take this seriously. If what Brian says is true then Anne was in danger of her life. Someone is impersonating her now and no one close to her has seen her in months. I’m worried, very worried.”
Julia looked pensive. “Obviously, there’s only so much I can say. If Brian told you what Thomas did to Anne, here is what I can contribute. Firstly, my job is to help women in life-threatening situations to escape. Once strangulation happens in a relationship the risk to the woman escalates quickly. In such a situation we do a number of things. First, we help to get them to safety. That normally means a move to a new life, a new plac
e, with only what they can carry. It takes us four to five days to get a situation ready for a woman and her child or children. In the meantime we offer temporary accommodation. We organise transport by multiple safe people so it’s hard to trace the fleeing woman. And we organise a new home and help in developing a new identity. Some women want a day or two to get ready. If that’s the case we set a date and time when the woman thinks there’s a window to escape. Often that means in the morning so instead of the children going to school they head off and that means they might have a day before it’s discovered they’ve gone. Usually we advise that no family or friends know of their plan as they’re the first people an angry husband goes to.”
“So Anne was getting ready to flee?”
“I didn’t say that. I merely told you what we advise and what we can do. To be honest, many women don’t want to do that or don’t choose to do that. Others say they will, then go home and don’t turn up at the agreed time – they’ve changed their mind. Our job is to support a woman, the choice is hers.” Julia paused then said, “One other service we provide is to bring women to a doctor and document injuries and we get a solicitor to take a statement from them. Most women never use that documented evidence but, if they need it at any time, we have it for them with the solicitor.”
Isobel could feel hope bubbling up. “So you would have evidence of what Thomas did to Anne, already documented?”
Julia deadpanned, “I didn’t say that, nor would I. I’m merely telling you the procedures we follow in a given situation. Should the DNA come back as not Anne’s, the police or a solicitor can apply for any information that we have. That would be judged on each case individually within the parameters of confidentiality and legality.”
Isobel couldn’t help smiling at this pompous statement.
Julia grinned as well then returning to a more personal note said, “Please contact me and let me know the results of the DNA test. I can then talk to our legal representative about our position on things.”
This was as close to an admission as Julia was going to give. Isobel knew that she’d reached the end of the road, “I really appreciate you filling me in on the role you have. I’m sorry about the initial subterfuge.”
Julia looked at her. “I know you’re fighting to help a woman and, of course, I will assist you where I can.”
Isobel nodded, awed by the courage, dedication and wisdom of this woman and her cohorts.
Julia said, “We have to be so careful, protecting our own identity and the women who use our service.”
Isobel felt humbled by that stark truth. “Thank you again. I’ll phone you later and let you know the results.” Standing up, she shook hands with Julia and left.
Isobel’s emotions were all churned up. She decided to browse the artwork at the National Gallery. Maybe Monet could calm her worried mind.
Chapter 22
The tranquillity of Monet’s garden only emphasised Isobel’s disquiet and she found herself stressed and tearful. Despite the fact that Brian had scared her initially, after hearing what Julia had to say Isobel was leaning towards believing him. There was nothing else to do now except tell Peter and Patricia.
Isobel rang them and by five o’clock they were all together in Peter’s flat.
“Today I went to see Brian Poole,” Isobel said.
“Oh yes,” said Patricia. “How did it go? Did he explain how he had the photo?”
Isobel looked at Peter. He was lounging on the couch, his arm on the side and gently resting against Patricia’s who was sitting in the chair alongside him.
Isobel leant forward in her chair. “He eventually told me that Anne rang him up and insisted on seeing him a few months ago because Thomas had tried to strangle her.”
Patricia gasped and her hand flew to her mouth.
Peter jumped forward on the couch. “What?”
Isobel sat back and looked from one to the other.
Peter said, “Do you believe him?”
Isobel pursed her lips. “I do.”
Peter said, “Like you believe Claire?”
Isobel tightened her jaw and balled her fists. “Yes, like I believe Claire.”
After a few seconds she exhaled noisily and leaned forward again.
“Peter, Brian gave me the number of a shelter in London where they help women get away and make a new start somewhere else. Anne contacted them. I knew you were going to react like this so I met with the lady from the women’s shelter to see if I could get confirmation. Obviously, because of the need for confidentiality she wouldn’t say anything, but she did ask me to let her know the results of the DNA test. Maybe then she will reconsider.”
Peter had sat back in his chair.
“My God, then what has happened to Anne?” Patricia said.
“Any one of a number of scenarios,” said Peter. “Yes, Thomas could have done this but equally Brian, the jilted lover, could be trying to cause trouble for them, or Anne could have run away or –”
“And left her child?” Isobel said.
“All I’m saying is let’s not jump to conclusions. We first need to see if Anne is Anne or if Claire has just made a mistake or dreamed up a conspiracy plot. If the DNA is different then we can see what to do. Maybe this shelter woman has some more information she can share with us.” He stood up. “But I’m warning you, this is not a game. My professional life is already in jeopardy –”
“And a woman’s life may have been too and may still be.” Isobel stood and faced him.
“We need to be very careful and only deal with facts, not wild and crazy suppositions and theories. Please, if we make any accusations that are unfounded we could jeopardise Tommy’s future and also be open to charges of slander. All I’m asking is that you take time to establish what the truth is here.”
Isobel sat down again and put her head in her hands. “I know you’re right on one level but I have an awful feeling that something really bad is going on here.”
Peter also sat. “Isobel, you might be right, but we can’t just go by your feelings. We have to find proof. When we talked to all of Anne’s friends and family what was clear was that no one really knew what was going on. We can’t make the same mistake now. We have to move forward cautiously, establishing facts. Surely you can see this?” He turned to Patricia. “I’m not discounting Isobel’s fears. I’m merely saying that we can’t jump to conclusions.”
Patricia reached out for his hand.
“Don’t make me the bad guy here, Isobel,” he went on. “I’m trying to move forward in a stepwise fashion. If what Brian says is true then we need to prove that.”
Isobel nodded.
He stood again, came over and touched her shoulder. “I know you’re working really hard on this. I’m not against you, just more cautious.”
Isobel could feel tears on her eyelashes. She nodded again, reached up and touched his hand in appreciation.
He sat down again and said, “Let’s see what the DNA results show and maybe you can talk to … what’s the lady’s name?”
“Julia.”
“Julia, again. I don’t think we should tell Simon this until we’re sure that it’s true. I don’t think it would help.”
Isobel nodded again. “OK. I’ll talk to Julia again and then see. But if she won’t tell me anything, I may still have to tell Simon what Brian said so that he can see if it needs to be checked out.”
“OK.”
At a quarter to seven Isobel’s phone rang. She looked at her screen and could see that it was Simon. Taking a deep breath, she answered.
“Hello, Simon.”
“Jeff and I want to meet you,” he said abruptly. “Where would be good for you?”
“Where?” Isobel gestured with her fingers and Peter nodded. She said, “Can you come here?”
“Yes.”
She gave him Peter’s address.
“We’ll be there in about half an hour.”
There was a dialling tone.
“They’
re coming over.”
Peter said, “Obviously the DNA samples showed something, or Simon and Jeff wouldn’t be coming here. It must be serious.”
By half past seven they were all ensconced in Peter’s living room.
Jeff had brought his dinner with him and began to eat without announcing his findings.
Isobel was wound as tight as a spring but she and the others were doing their best to give him the space to reveal his findings in his own time and way. Eventually she could wait no longer.
“So what have you found?”
Jeff finished chewing his mouthful of food. “It turns out that Anne Banks is not a familial match to Claire Graham.”
Isobel put her hand over her mouth. Even though she had been expecting this, it was shocking. The dark chasm of possibilities that she had been pondering all afternoon seemed more of a reality.
“Before you jump to conclusions, we need to confirm that there isn’t another innocent explanation for this.”
Isobel made a face. “Like what?”
“That Anne or Claire was adopted.”
Isobel could feel her anger rising. “Of course they aren’t. Claire would have told us.” Her voice trembled.
“Isobel, I’m here because these results change everything. Yes, I was humouring you initially but now I’m not. And now we need to find out what’s going on. This was important enough for me to give up my Sunday evening watching the sport round-up.”
Isobel blushed. “Sorry.”
“It’s OK. I think all of us are shocked.”
After a pause, Jeff said, “The first thing we have to do is ask Anne Bank’s mother if any of her daughters are adopted.”
Isobel, her head and heart back in the game, said, “But Anne and Claire are so alike, and so like their mother – they have to be blood relatives.”
“Come on, Isobel,” said Jeff. “The blood test shows that there’s a woman walking round who is the image of Anne Banks and is not a blood relative so, of course, we have to know if Anne could be adopted. At the moment we have a sister who has been estranged claiming that this woman is not her sister and a blood test that shows they aren’t sisters. You want us to believe that a crime is going on here but that may not be the case. I’m a scientist, my job is to eliminate all the other possibilities and arrive at the truth.”
What Lies Hidden Page 14