by Carol Wyer
‘We’ll find her.’
Murray’s words gave her no peace and she dragged her feet towards the next building, dreading what she might uncover. The silence was suddenly broken by quick feet, stumbling towards them.
‘This way. The door’s shut but I think there’s a car in it.’ Ian rushed away again in the direction of another building, Lucy hot on his tail. Murray tore after her, heavy footsteps thudding in the soil as they skirted around mounds of dumped rubbish towards Ian. The shed was taller than the others, with wide doors, probably once used for housing farming machinery.
‘Give me a hand,’ said Ian, squeezing his fingers into the crack in the middle of the doors, grabbing hold of one and tugging. The door, snagged on the land, wouldn’t open easily. It scraped and groaned as he tugged. Murray reached above Ian’s hands and together they wrenched it open. The hammering in Lucy’s ears reduced her words to little more than a faint squeak. ‘It’s Natalie’s car.’ No sooner had she spoken than she was hurtling towards the Audi. ‘Natalie!’ She yanked the door handle to no avail. She pressed her face against the glass, steaming it with her warm breath. Natalie’s phone lay on the front seat, the black screen mocking her.
A dull sound from inside the car – a thump – stopped them all.
‘Natalie! It’s Lucy.’
She was rewarded with another soft thump.
‘The boot.’ Ian was already there, reaching for the latch, pulling and cursing. Murray cast about for something to break open the lock and spotted the bunch of keys hanging on a nail in the wall, next to the car. Lucy recognised the pale blue leather key ring in an instant. It would have an embossed letter N on it.
The boot sprang open with a creak to reveal Natalie, hands and feet bound with old twine, and a scarf, the one Rob had worn, tied around her mouth. Lucy untied it and pulled it away. Natalie spat pieces of wool from her lips and heaved several breaths. Murray was reaching for her hands, working the knots and freeing her.
She gasped her thanks. ‘I was… beginning… to worry… I’d run out… of air.’
Hands loose at last, she rubbed tenderly at her wrists, raw and bleeding where she’d tried to escape her bounds. ‘You… get him?’
‘Let’s get you out of here first.’
Using a penknife, Murray cut the twine from around her ankles and, together with Ian, reached for her, lifting her under her armpits and hauling her gently from the vehicle. She couldn’t remain upright unaided and with their support was guided to the front of the car and lowered onto the driver’s seat.
‘You got any water?’ asked Lucy.
‘Glove box.’
Lucy reached for the lid and opened the compartment, revealing a pouch of juice. She punched the straw into it and passed it to Natalie, who drank greedily.
Once Natalie seemed more composed, Lucy spoke. ‘Rob’s dead.’
‘How?’
‘Threw himself under a train. He confessed to killing Eugene, Rachel, Dominic and Tommy but we’ll never really find out the entire truth. Tommy was responsible for killing Amelia but Katie overdosed on heroin. There’s no proof though, only Rob’s word and now mine and Andy’s. We were the only ones who heard what he had to say.’
‘Shit.’
‘I fucked up big time. I should have read him his rights, clamped the cuffs on him and taken him to the station. He fooled me. Told me he’d never tell me the truth unless I let him speak up then and there. I made the call and I didn’t work out his intentions until it was too late to stop him.’
Murray cleared his throat. ‘She’s being too hard on herself. It wasn’t her fault. Nobody could have guessed he’d jump.’
Ian added his support. ‘It’s true. We all heard Rob tell Lucy he wouldn’t talk if she took him into the station.’
Lucy threw them both a small smile of gratitude.
‘We’ll have to do the best we can with what we have,’ said Natalie. She rubbed at her wrists and winced.
Lucy spotted blood on the back of her head. ‘You’ve been bleeding. You need to get checked over. What exactly happened?’
‘Rob jumped me. He whacked me over the head. Knocked me out. When I came to, I was in the boot with my hands and legs tied…’
Natalie fights for consciousness. Her head throbs and she can’t move. Her hands are twisted behind her back and tied firmly, as are her feet. Something is covering her mouth, a thick material that smells and tastes foul. She blinks. It’s dark but as she comes to, she sees blue eyes observing her. Rob speaks.
‘I’m sorry. I really didn’t want to hurt you, especially after you were kind and gave me money. Some people are like you and they try to help, but others, those who should know better, walk right past me and those like me. They don’t see us but I see them and I know about their sordid lives and their debauched ways. I saw what Rachel and Dominic did to Amelia. They treated her badly, and after they’d used her, they refused to pay her. I also know exactly what Eugene did to Katie.’ His mouth sets in a thin line of disapproval, and it is moments of lying in discomfort before he speaks again. ‘I had to help in some small way. I’m sorry you got caught up in it.’
She can’t ask the questions she wants to ask. The gag barely allows breathing. She pleads with her eyes. He gives her a kindly smile.
‘Thank you for noticing me. I’ll make sure somebody comes for you.’
He places a hand on the boot lid and she attempts to cry out, stop him from imprisoning her, but the woollen fibres of the scarf make her cough and splutter and her eyes water. When she opens them again, the lid is closed and she must wait for rescue, wondering if it will ever come, or if he was lying. She daren’t think about Josh, Mike or David and Leigh. It will drive her to tears. She stills her anxious mind and practises slow breathing to conserve her air and prays Rob is honourable enough to ensure she will be saved.
‘How did your car get in here?’ asked Ian.
‘I guess he drove it in here while I was out for the count. He didn’t send anyone to help me though, did he?’
‘Maybe he intended ringing Bev to tell her where you were. His phone was found smashed on the railway line.’ All Lucy knew was Rob hadn’t once mentioned Natalie to her.
Natalie replied, ‘I don’t know what happened to Bev. There was no sign of her when I got here. Have you spoken to her?’
‘She rang the station but refused to speak to anyone other than you. She wanted to talk to you about Rob.’
‘Then I’d better call her back. She might actually be useful for once in her life.’
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Tuesday, 5 November – Night
Bev Gardner rested against the back of her seat, a glass of water in one hand, as if posing for the cover of a magazine. The article was to be published in five parts, the first in only a few hours’ time, and would make front page news with its headline: YOU ARE TO BLAME!
Her roughed-out notes were currently spread across the desk, along with an old photograph of blue-eyed young Rob and a picture of the notepad bearing his confession. The initial, hard-hitting piece would explain exactly why Rob, an ex-serviceman who’d been humiliated and debased in his time in the army, had been driven to murder. It pulled no punches, revealed the truth about Chris ‘Whitey’ Whitefield’s attempted rape of Lorna and was to include one of Rob’s comments, visible in enlarged bold font on a typewritten piece of A4:
Look around you. Do you really know what dark secrets your neighbour or your husband or your daughter are hiding? You judge people by how they look or how they seemingly live their lives, but if you could spend an hour in my shoes and really see what goes on, you would be horrified. Truly horrified.
Lucy now had her answers. She understood what had driven Rob to kill and had the written confession she required to wind up the investigation, along with the ballpoint pen he’d used to write on his victims’ foreheads. They also had an ally in Bev, who had been humbled by the news Natalie had gone in search of her, concerned for her safety.
‘As would you if you’d been knocked out and spent hours tied up in the boot of your car,’ said Lucy with a huff. Natalie didn’t answer. She was too tired to care.
Bev flinched. ‘I actually feel really bad about that. Especially as you came to help me, Natalie.’
Lucy wasn’t going to go easy on her, even though the article praised the work of the crime team officers and their determination to treat all the murders with equanimity. ‘Make sure you note in your article that DCI Ward put herself in danger to save you from your foolhardy exploits.’
She casually sipped from her glass before grumbling, ‘I took precautions. I made sure I was safely locked in my car while I was interviewing him. If you’re satisfied with what I intend writing, can I get to work on them? I don’t have long before the first deadline.’
Natalie blinked suddenly as a thought struck her. ‘You owe the team a written apology too. You used Poppy to extract information about the case. What you did was underhanded and you caused her unwarranted concern – so much so, she’s thinking of resigning over the affair.’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake! The silly girl. She hardly told me anything.’
‘That’s not how she sees it. She’s riddled with guilt and has even taken sick leave as a consequence. She feels she’s let down the entire team. You’re responsible for ruining a promising career, so I think it only fair you rectify the situation.’
‘Whatever! I’ll write an apology as a postscript for tomorrow’s edition. I wouldn’t mind but I had to really work her to get anything out of her in the first place.’
‘Make sure you do.’
Bev finished her glass of water and rose to her feet. ‘Understood.’
Natalie gave her a nod.
She trotted out, leaving behind a wake of fresh floral scents. Natalie folded her arms and sat back. Lucy waited until the door was firmly closed behind Bev before speaking.
‘What’s all this about Poppy?’
‘The techies worked it out. I haven’t had a chance to tackle Poppy but I imagine from what Bev told us, Poppy was blindsided by the woman.’
‘And Poppy’s off sick because she feels she let us down?’
Natalie shrugged. ‘I heard she was off sick with the flu but who knows?’
‘You fed Bev bullshit, didn’t you? You wanted an apology.’
‘And why not? It’s nice to play them at their own game sometimes, isn’t it? Besides, Dan will love the fact we have come out on top and the team is praised.’
‘I still fucked up.’
‘We all do. The secret is to learn by your mistakes. The way I see it, your team respects you and you led them well. I’m satisfied and I know Dan is.’
‘I’m going to mention Murray in my report. He deserves recognition for all his efforts.’
‘Good, and yes, he does. He’ll get his chance at promotion, Lucy.’
‘I really hope he does, and soon.’ Lucy forced herself to her feet. ‘I’ve got reports to write. I’ll email them across to you as soon as they’re written.’
‘Good stuff. I’m going home. I need to soak in the bath. My muscles have seized. I’ll see you in the morning.’
‘Are you okay to drive? I can drop you off.’
‘I’ve been cleared by the doctor. I’m fine.’
‘If you’re—’
‘I’m sure.’ Natalie plodded out into the hallway. She’d spoken to Mike and put his mind at rest. Dan was satisfied they’d conducted themselves admirably, and Rob… well, Rob was a lost soul. He had made his own peace with the world. She’d talk to Poppy the following morning and ensure she learnt how to handle journalists in the future.
Lucy crept through the front door. Her head was throbbing. She needed a couple of aspirins and a good night’s sleep. This case had been utterly gruelling. She pulled off her coat and hung it up, yanked off her boots and was about to climb the stairs when she saw a figure at the top of them.
‘You decided to come home, then?’ The voice was peevish.
‘Don’t start. It’s been a tough few days.’
‘And what about my days? They’ve been tough too. I haven’t been chasing after criminals but I have been doing an important job, all the same.’
Lucy began to ascend, Bethany’s voice wafted over her. She was too tired to argue or listen. It was only when she reached the top of the stairs she realised Bethany was crying and noted her red eyes.
‘What’s going on?’
Bethany’s shoulders shook. ‘I can’t cope. Aurora cried nearly all day and nothing I did was right and… I’m a shit mother!’
‘No, you’re not. It’s probably because she’s teething and you’re tired.’
‘No, it’s me. I’m useless. I thought I could cope but I can’t and look at me. I’m a bloody mess.’
Lucy took in the lank hair, the bags under the eyes. ‘You’re not a mess. You’re a tired mum. That’s all.’
Bethany sniffed miserably. ‘I suppose so.’
‘We’ve both been under pressure. We need a few days away together, as a family. How about we hire a cottage in Buxton for a couple of nights? Go walking, like old times only we’ll make new memories. Aurora will love it there. Natalie told me about a zoo up there. It’ll do us both good to get some fresh air and time out.’
The sniffing lessened. ‘Yeah. Maybe.’
Lucy gave a half-hearted smile. Bethany hadn’t jumped at the chance to go away and that saddened her. It would require effort from both parties to ensure their relationship worked and at the moment, Bethany was becoming a drain on her emotions and energy. She ushered Bethany into the bedroom, unsure of how long she could continue to keep up her side of things. Only time would tell.
It was close to midnight and all Natalie could think of was a bath and bed. Being part of the team had been rewarding but she was ready to step back from the fieldwork. She had Mike, Josh and Thea to consider, and hurling herself into dangerous situations was no longer an option. Being shut in the car boot had given her time to reflect. Being DCI would suit her. She could leave all the action to the others.
She pulled out of the car park and joined the main road. There was something calming about this time of night, when the streets were empty apart from the occasional dog-walker or those strolling home from a night out. She yawned, mouth stretching wide, lips pulled tight. She could still taste the scarf wound around her face and she found herself searching in the shadows for those who lived on the streets. The article would highlight their plight and prick people’s consciences. Everyone who lived hand to mouth on the streets of Samford had a story to tell – some were running away from violence, some had fallen on bad times, others were confused teenagers like Katie and Amelia.
Her thoughts turned to Katie and her sister Sophia, and she wondered if they’d never met Tommy and fallen out over him, what would have become of them both. Katie would most certainly be alive today.
She yawned again. Not much further. The traffic lights were red and she stopped, her attention drawn instantly to the Volvo waiting opposite her. The car’s occupants were visible, faces lit by the overhead street lights. David was in animated conversation with a woman with blond hair. He reached across and kissed her, confirming it must be his new girlfriend, Sara. She considered flashing her headlights, grabbing his attention and waving hello, until reality struck her. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was tired or because her thoughts had been on the Bray sisters, but she was convinced the woman sitting next to David was familiar – very familiar. Realisation dripped like raindrops from a cracked gutter, bringing with it the awful truth. Her face had matured and her hair was longer with golden highlights but the grey eyes were the same and the smile was identical.
The lights changed to green and the Volvo advanced, David completely oblivious to her presence, his head turned slightly away from her as he chatted. Natalie didn’t move off. Her attention was
fixed on David’s passenger. Frances. What was she doing with David? She was supposed to be in Aftonbury. Numerous scenarios crashed and clattered like an orchestra of cymbals as she tried to make sense of it, and a tiny butterfly of hope escaped in her chest. Then she caught the woman’s eye as the car passed hers and she saw she was wrong. The similarity was there but that’s all it was, a resemblance. This wasn’t Frances. It was undoubtedly Sara.
She threw her car into gear, her pulse still ringing in her ears. The episode had knocked her, as did the realisation that a small part of her had actually wanted it to be her sister, to see her again after all these years. The whole deeply saddening business with Katie and Sophia had brought an element of compassion for her own sister, one she’d been frightened of admitting to herself. Natalie had no idea of what her sister might have been through over the last few decades, but one thing was now clear to her: life was too short to harbour grievances from a time when she and Frances had been different people. The letter was at home, and the first thing she would do when she got in would be to ring the number at the bottom of it. It was time to forgive.
If you love following Natalie Ward’s adventures, then you won’t be able to put down Little Girl Lost, the first thrilling book in Carol Wyer’s bestselling Detective Robyn Carter series.
GET IT NOW!
Little Girl Lost
Detective Robyn Carter Book 1
Her breath rose and fell in fearful gasps but it was too late. She could already see what she dreaded most. The back seat was empty.
Her little girl was gone.
Abigail lives the perfect life with her doting husband and adorable baby Izzy. But someone knows a secret about Abigail and they want the truth to be told.