by Lake, Alex
‘What about in his professional life?’ Dudek said.
‘Same,’ Mike said. ‘It’s possible he had a problem with someone, but he never mentioned it.’
‘How about your sister,’ Wynne said. ‘Was there anyone who had a reason to dislike her?’
Mike held his hands up. ‘No. I mean, she had friends who she was closer to, but no one with this kind of hatred towards her.’
‘Can you think of anyone who she had a problem with, however minor?’
‘She never mentioned anyone.’
‘Any arguments with Matt, over the years?’ Dudek said.
‘Small ones. But no, nothing substantial.’
‘His family?’
‘His parents died a few years back, and Annabelle and Tessa are fine.’
Wynne paused. There was something out of place about what he had said.
‘Fine?’ she said. ‘Or friends?’
‘Friends,’ Mike said, after a moment’s hesitation. ‘Now.’
‘Not at the start?’ Wynne said.
‘They had a rocky patch,’ Mike said. ‘But that was years ago. And it wasn’t really about Tessa at all. She was friends with Matt’s ex-girlfriend. There was a bit of drama there, but it all blew over.’
‘Who was the ex-girlfriend?’ Dudek said.
‘I don’t remember her name now.’
‘Do you remember what the drama was about?’ Wynne said.
‘I’m afraid I don’t.’ He pursed his lips. ‘Although I do remember her showing up at Norman’s christening. She was pretty wild, actually. But you’d have to ask Tessa for details.’
‘We will,’ Wynne said. ‘Thank you, Mr Anderson.’
2
‘Where could we contact Tessa?’ Wynne asked.
‘She’s at the hospital now. She’s a doctor.’
‘Could we have her number?’ Dudek said.
‘Of course.’ Mike dug his phone out of his jeans pocket. ‘She works in A and E, so she doesn’t always answer. I think she’s busy today. There was an accident on the motorway so they’re all hands on deck. That’s why she’s not here.’
‘There was an accident?’ Wynne said. ‘I didn’t hear about anything.’
Mike shrugged. ‘That’s what she said.’
‘I’ll check,’ Wynne said. She glanced at Dudek. ‘In the meantime, we’d like to speak to her. Urgently.’
‘You don’t think she has something to do with this?’ Mike said. ‘That’s ridiculous.’
‘I don’t think anything, Mr Anderson. I just ask questions.’
‘OK. I’ll let her know.’
He held the phone to his ear.
‘Voicemail,’ he said.
He left a message telling her it was important and asking her to call him back as soon as possible.
Wynne turned to Dudek. ‘Mr Westbrook may be able to tell us something about his ex-girlfriend,’ she said. ‘Would you ask him to come in?’
Matt
Matt sat in the armchair. It was still warm from Mike; he was in the kitchen with the kids.
‘Mr Westbrook,’ Wynne said. ‘Your brother-in-law mentioned that Annabelle and your sister had a difficult start to their relationship. He indicated it was in part because of your ex-girlfriend.’
Matt put his hands on his knees. ‘It was hardly anything,’ he said. ‘And it was a long time ago.’
‘Would you mind giving us the details?’ Wynne said.
‘Lindsey – she was my girlfriend during the last year of high school – and Tessa became friends after we broke up. When I met Annabelle it was awkward, because Tessa was loyal to her friend. That was all it was. Loyalty.’
‘And other than that, you would say they have a close relationship?’
He looked at DI Wynne. It was true that Tessa and Annabelle had not clicked when they met. Initially he had put it down to Tessa’s friendship with Lindsey, but, although it had got better, they had never become best – or anything like best – friends.
‘It’s fine,’ he said. ‘They do OK.’
‘But they’re not close?’ Dudek said.
‘They’re family. They like each other.’
‘Do they socialize outside of family gatherings?’ Wynne said.
‘Not that much,’ Matt said. ‘But that’s a long way from thinking Tessa would have anything to do with this.’
‘We’re not suggesting that,’ Wynne said. ‘Just trying to establish the facts. Mr Anderson also mentioned that your ex-girlfriend showed up at your son’s christening and made threats?’
‘Not really,’ Matt said. ‘I mean, yes, she showed up at the pub after we had Norman christened, but she was just drunk.’
‘Did she threaten you?’ Dudek said.
‘You could say that,’ Matt said. ‘She said something like “You’ll get what’s coming”, but it was the drink talking, that’s all.’
‘How long after the break-up was this?’ Wynne said.
‘I don’t know. Nine, maybe ten years?’ Matt said.
‘That’s a long time to hold a grudge,’ Wynne said.
The door opened and Mike came in. He was holding his phone.
‘It’s Tessa,’ he said. He passed it to Wynne. ‘She’s free now.’
Wynne
1
‘Ms Westbrook,’ Wynne said. ‘Thank you for coming. How was the accident on the M6? Was it bad?’
‘No,’ Tessa said. ‘It was only one injury. I didn’t have to go into the hospital after all.’
‘That’s not what Mr Anderson told us.’
‘I know. I was thinking it would be worse when I spoke to him.’
‘So where were you when he called?’
‘I went for a run. To clear my mind.’
DI Wynne nodded. ‘I see. We’ll want to get your version of events in detail. But for now we’d like to focus on Lindsey Daley.’
‘What about her?’
‘It seems she had something against your brother and his wife?’
‘A long time ago, yes.’
‘Not now?’ Wynne asked.
‘No.’
‘What was the nature of her complaint against them?’ Wynne said.
‘It was all teenage stuff,’ Tessa said. ‘Matt went to university and met Annabelle. Lindsey thought he’d been stolen away from her. She took it badly, but that’s all it was.’
‘In what way did she take it badly?’
Tessa stared at her. ‘Is this about the baby?’ she said. ‘Did Matt tell you about the baby?’
Wynne glanced at Dudek. He raised an eyebrow. ‘The baby? They had a baby?’
‘No,’ Tessa said. ‘That’s the point. Lindsey pretended to be pregnant so that Matt would stay with her.’ She held up her hands. ‘I know, it sounds bad. But she was a seventeen-year-old girl who thought she was in love.’
‘What happened?’ Dudek said.
‘The truth came out and Matt broke up with her. Then he met Annabelle – well, they’d already met, which just made Lindsey think he’d been cheating on her, which he said he hadn’t – and it was over with Lindsey.’
‘But she didn’t get over it?’ Wynne said.
‘She did, eventually.’
‘And yet she came to Norman’s christening? How did she know about it?’
‘Oh, God,’ Tessa said. ‘I’d forgotten about that. It wasn’t as though she was stalking them, though. It was sort of my fault. I mentioned it to her, and she showed up. I think Annabelle blamed me.’
‘Were you still friends?’
‘On and off. I saw her in town. She’d had a very hard time – mental health and substance abuse problems. But she’s much better now.’
‘She’s better now?’ Wynne said. ‘Are you still in touch with her?’
There was a long pause.
‘Yes, I am,’ Tessa said.
2
They drove away from the Westbrooks’ house. Tessa had given them an address for Lindsey Daley – now Meyer – and they had left her to exp
lain to her brother why she had not mentioned they were still friends.
Lindsey lived a few miles away in a neat semi-detached house in Grappenhall. They parked outside and rang the doorbell.
A woman in her early thirties opened the door. She had shoulder-length brown hair and dark-framed glasses. She gave them a puzzled smile.
‘Lindsey Meyer?’ Wynne said.
‘Yes. That’s me.’
‘I’m Detective Inspector Jane Wynne. This is Detective Sergeant Dudek. We were hoping you could help us with our enquiries.’
‘About what?’
‘Annabelle Westbrook.’
A weary look crossed her face.
‘Come in,’ she said.
Lindsey showed them into the living room. ‘What happened to Annabelle?’ she said.
‘She’s missing,’ Wynne said. ‘We’re seeking any help we can get in locating her.’
‘I don’t know anything,’ Lindsey said. ‘I haven’t seen her in years.’
Wynne studied her face. If she was lying, she was doing it well. There was no sign of nervousness.
The door opened and a boy – maybe six or seven years old – came in. He was pale, and looked like he’d just woken up.
‘Mum,’ he said. ‘I’m hungry.’
Lindsey held out her arms and he settled onto her knee.
‘He’s got a bug,’ she said. ‘That’s why he’s off school. I had to take a sick day.’
‘Where do you work?’ Dudek said.
‘I’m a nurse. His dad works away, so he can’t be here.’
‘Who are you?’ the boy said.
‘Wynne. My name is Jane Wynne.’
‘She’s a detective,’ Lindsey said. ‘This is the first detective you’ve met, Josh.’
‘You’re a detective?’ Josh said.
‘I am.’
‘Who are you detecting?’ he said.
‘That’s a long story. I’m sorry you don’t feel well. But if you’re hungry, that’s a good sign.’ Wynne smiled at Lindsey. ‘Why don’t you get him something to eat. We won’t be too long, I hope.’
While Lindsey was in the kitchen, Wynne took the opportunity to take a look around the room. There were a number of photos of Lindsey, a tall, wiry man with curly dark hair, and Josh. There was also one of her and the man on their wedding day.
It didn’t look like the home of someone bent on revenge for a decade-old slight, but then appearances, as Wynne had learned many times, meant nothing.
Lindsey came back and sat down.
‘He’s happy now,’ she said. ‘So how can I help?’
‘We’re trying to establish if anyone had a motive for hurting Annabelle Westbrook,’ Wynne said. ‘And we wanted to discuss your relationship with her.’
‘We don’t have a relationship,’ Lindsey said.
‘But you do know each other,’ Wynne said.
‘And you did attend the christening of her first son,’ Dudek added.
Lindsey rubbed her temples.
‘God, I can’t believe that’s coming back to haunt me,’ she said. ‘I was hoping it was in the past.’
‘Can you tell us what happened?’ Wynne said.
‘I don’t know what happened,’ she said. ‘It’s so embarrassing. I was in a rough patch and somehow I thought it was a good idea to go there.’
‘You thought it was a good idea to crash a party after the christening of your ex’s first son?’ Dudek said.
‘Would you believe me if I said that I was intending to wish them all the best? Even though I was having a really hard time back then, I still knew I owed Matt an apology. And I was thinking that I’d show up and apologize and say all the best and let’s let bygones be bygones. But that’s not what happened.’
‘What did happen?’ Wynne said.
‘I got there and saw them and realized that they didn’t want my apologies. I was nothing to them. They hadn’t given me a thought. And I just lost it. I’d been drinking, too, which didn’t help.’
‘Why were you having a hard time?’ Wynne said.
‘It’s a long story,’ Lindsey said. ‘And I can tell you, if you want. But it’s over now.’
‘Maybe we’ll come back to it,’ Wynne said. ‘Perhaps we can move to more recent events.’
‘Of course.’
‘You said your husband is away?’
‘North Sea. He works in the oil industry.’
‘When did he leave?’
‘Last Wednesday.’
Wynne glanced at Dudek. He raised an eyebrow. He was thinking the same as she was. A husband conveniently absent. A husband who might have something against the man his wife had once loved.
‘Who is your husband’s employer?’ Wynne asked.
Lindsey Meyer gave her a name. She noted it down. It would be easy enough to check his alibi.
‘Could you tell us where you were on Saturday evening?’ Wynne said.
‘I could. I was working. I did the nightshift,’ Lindsey said.
‘Where was your son?’ Dudek asked.
‘You think I left him here alone? He was with my mum, Detective Sergeant. You can ask her. And you can ask the hospital – it’s Warrington General – whether I’m telling the truth.’
‘We’ll check,’ she said. ‘That’s all for now. We’ll be in touch if we have more questions.’
‘Look,’ Lindsey said. ‘I can see how you might think I have something against Annabelle Westbrook, and I can’t tell you that we’re ever going to be friends. But that was all a long time ago. I’m married, I have a job and a family. I’m happy, which has not always been the case for me. And I wouldn’t do anything to risk that. I had nothing to do with this. Nothing at all.’
Annabelle
1
The door opened.
The kidnapper – still in dark jeans and a hoodie – came in and stood six inches inside the room. The door clicked shut.
There was no response.
‘Are you just going to stand there?’ she said. ‘Or do something?’
Again, there was no response.
‘At least show me your face,’ she said. ‘You’ll have to, eventually.’
The figure shrugged, then lifted the hood slowly.
She did not understand what she was seeing. It made no sense. More than that – it was impossible.
‘It’s you?’ she said. ‘Guy? But—’ she knew this was not the most profound question, but it was what she thought of – ‘you were in Brighton, weren’t you?’
‘I made that up,’ he said. ‘I take it you weren’t expecting me?’
He sounded genuinely interested, as though he’d thought she might be, but he was the last person she had expected to see. She had assumed it was a crazy fan or someone from her distant past. But Guy? The thought had never crossed her mind.
And, in the back of her mind, she wondered if maybe this made it better? It was Guy, after all, and not some monster.
‘No,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t expecting you.’
‘Oh,’ he said. He frowned, his brow creased in what looked like disappointment. ‘You didn’t guess? I thought you would have.’
‘How the hell would I have guessed?’ she said. ‘You told me you were in Brighton.’
His frown deepened. ‘I thought you might have worked it out,’ he said. ‘I was rather hoping you were looking forward to it?’ He pointed to the champagne. ‘I thought we might celebrate.’
‘Looking forward to it?’ she said. ‘Celebrate? What would we celebrate?’
‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Despite his words, there was a note of doubt in his voice.
‘No,’ she said. ‘Why on earth have you done this? Why have you brought me here?’
‘I think you know,’ he said. ‘Deep down.’
‘No, I don’t,’ Annabelle replied. ‘Trust me. I have no fucking idea. And I want to leave, now.’
‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible,’ he said. ‘This is your home now.’
‘Guy,’ An
nabelle said. ‘You know that’s not true. You know I have a family. You know my home is with them. Whatever has happened, whatever made you do this – if you’ve had a problem – it’s fine. Just take me home and we’ll forget this ever happened. OK?’
He looked at her for a long time. She had the sense he was like an eagle, sizing up its prey. There was a watchful, almost wild look in his eyes.
‘Problem?’ he said. ‘You think I have a problem?’
‘I don’t see any other explanation. I’m confused, Guy.’
‘I must say that I’m a little confused too. This is not what I anticipated.’ He tilted his head to one side, his eyes, flat and expressionless, fixed on hers. ‘And disappointed.’
‘Disappointed?’ Annabelle said. ‘You’re disappointed?’
‘Yes. I am. And I can get quite upset when I’m disappointed.’
‘Well, I’m sorry to be such a disappointment,’ Annabelle said. ‘But you did kidnap me and half-rip my arm from its socket.’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t part of the plan. And neither was you attacking me.’ His voice was reproachful. ‘That was completely unnecessary.’
‘Well, let me apologize,’ she said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. ‘I should have had better manners, but I don’t know how you were expecting me to react after you kidnapped my kids.’
‘You don’t?’ he said, and the last vestiges of his smile fell away, to reveal a face that looked less than human. ‘I thought you’d be glad.’
2
Glad? He thought she’d be glad?
Of all the crazy things that had happened, this was almost the craziest.
She looked out of the window. At least she knew where she was now. She knew where she’d seen this view. It was in a photo Guy had sent her. He had bought a cottage by a lake, somewhere between Brighton and London, a few years back.
She couldn’t remember the name, but it was pretty remote, she remembered him telling her that. They had met in London for lunch around that time, when one of her books was coming out, and he had explained how restful it was to have a bolthole to escape to when the pressures of the job and the city got on top of him.