Chris gazed at her, seemingly incapable of speech. Having transferred Sara to the ambulance, one of the men helped Chris up the steps and put a blanket round his shoulders.
The second ambulance arrived and baby Abigail Mitchell, screaming at the top of her lungs, was handed over to a paramedic.
Clare took out her phone. Her hands were still damp, stained with Sara’s blood. She wiped them on her trousers and dialled Wendy’s number.
‘We’ve found Abi,’ she said when Wendy answered. ‘Safe and sound. She’s on her way to Ninewells A&E. Can you take Kevin over and I’ll meet you there?’ She heard the sound of Wendy running down the garden, calling to Kevin, and allowed herself a smile.
Clare’s next call was to forensics. ‘I’ve a campervan for you to go over for prints, DNA and possibly drugs. Can you ask your team to come over here as soon as they’ve finished at Bronzalite? I’ll leave a couple of guys on-site until you get here.’
The cars were starting to leave now. Amy had bagged and tagged the knife and the Tennants were now both in custody. Sara and Abi were on their way to hospital and Clare suddenly didn’t know what to do.
Matt came over. ‘You okay?’
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
He gripped her arm. ‘You got her. Abi. You got her, Clare.’
And suddenly, Clare burst into tears.
Chapter 31
Clare arrived at Ninewells and made her way to the A&E Department, flashing her badge to gain admittance to the main treatment area. She had seldom seen it busier as nurses walked briskly in and out of curtained bays, wheeling machines and calling to doctors. A trolley bearing an elderly man was wheeled past her and into a vacant bay, the curtains quickly pulled around him. At the nurses’ station a male nurse was scrawling names on a whiteboard next to bay numbers. And, in the midst of all this activity, sat Chris, his hands wrapped round a mug of tea. His eyes were red-rimmed and his cheeks streaked with tears.
‘How is she?’ Clare asked, but Chris just shook his head.
‘She’s still in theatre,’ a nurse said. ‘We won’t know until she comes out. But the surgeon didn’t think her wound was life-threatening.’
Clare lowered her voice. ‘Did you know she’s pregnant?’
The nurse nodded. ‘Chris told us. As I said, we’ll know more when they’ve finished operating.’
Clare left Chris under the Charge Nurse’s beady eye and went in search of Kevin and Wendy. The receptionist told her Abi had been taken to a paediatric admissions ward to be checked over and she gave Clare directions.
Wendy met her as she approached the ward. ‘I’m heading off now, Clare,’ she said. ‘There’s a duty cop down at either end of the corridor so I’m going home to catch up on my sleep.’
Clare gave her arm a squeeze. ‘Wendy, you’ve been incredible. I can’t thank you enough.’
‘Just doing my job, Clare.’ And with that, she headed down the corridor. Clare watched her go then pushed open the swing doors that led to the ward. In contrast to the busy A&E department, the paediatric ward was an oasis of calm. Instead of beds there were clear-sided incubators and cots, each surrounded by machines and monitors. Kevin was sitting at the side of a cot, his finger stroking Abi’s hair. Clare stood and took her first proper look at Abigail Mitchell and found she was absolutely beautiful. She was lying gazing up at the ceiling, her legs kicking for all she was worth. She was hooked up to a heart monitor and a nurse was on the other side of the cot, writing on a chart.
‘How is she?’ Clare asked.
A smile spread across Kevin’s face. It was the first time Clare had seen him look anything other than haunted. ‘Doing well,’ he said. ‘They’re keeping her in for a couple of days, just to get her medication regulated. But they say she’s been well cared for. Suppose that’s something.’ He glanced at the nurse and lowered his voice. ‘But Lisa… I can’t take it in. Was she really selling drugs?’
‘I’m afraid it looks that way,’ said Clare. ‘Did you never wonder, Kevin? You never suspected anything?’
He shook his head. ‘Lisa always handled the money. She was better at it than me. She said the tanning salon was doing really well. She said Sacha was expanding. I didn’t really think about it, the money. I just believed her.’ He met Clare’s eye. ‘I’ve been such a fool. I knew nothing, Inspector, honestly.’
Clare patted his arm. ‘I know that, Kevin.’
‘And that’s why they took Abi? And killed Lisa?’
The nurse moved away and Clare sat down. ‘We may never know, Kevin. But from what we can see, it looks as if Lisa was caught in a turf war between two drug dealers. Abi was taken as a warning and when Lisa realised why she was taken, she went after them herself.’
‘And – do you think they’d have given Abi back? If you hadn’t found her?’
Clare nodded. ‘Probably. My guess is they wanted to teach Lisa a lesson. At some point, Abi would have been left somewhere in a hospital. Here at Ninewells, probably. They’d have dumped her in a toilet or something like that and, once they were a few miles away, they’d have called the hospital to let them know. And Lisa – well, she’d have been so glad to have Abi back that she probably would have backed off.’
Kevin put his head in his hands. ‘I still can’t believe it. My Lisa, a drug dealer. It’s – it’s horrible.’
‘I know. It’s a lot to take in. But what’s important at the moment is you and Abi. That’s all you need to worry about for now.’
Kevin gazed down at Abi. ‘I’ll never let her out of my sight again. Never.’
Clare rose from her seat and patted his hand. ‘I’ll leave you now, Kevin. But Wendy and I will stay in touch. Meanwhile, you give Abi a hug from me.’
Downstairs, Clare found Chris waiting for her. ‘She’s out of theatre and the doctors say she’ll be fine,’ he said, his voice cracking. ‘The knife missed her vital organs. Her intestines took most of the damage but nothing they couldn’t patch up. She’s sedated now but they say I can see her in an hour or so. She’ll be in a few days but she’s going to be fine, Clare.’ He looked at her, his eyes bright with tears. ‘And I thought…’
Clare gripped his arm. ‘Don’t go there, Chris. She’s fine and that’s the main thing.’ She didn’t know how to ask the next question. Chris saved her the trouble.
‘They couldn’t save the baby, Clare. The shock – the blood loss – it was all too much.’ The tears began to flow again and he drew a hand across his eyes. ‘It’s funny, you know. I was pretty gutted when Sara told me – about the baby, I mean – and I’ve got to be honest, I questioned whether – well, you know.’
‘Yeah. I know.’
Chris glanced at her, his face pink. ‘And then, well, I sort of got used to the idea. And now it’s too late, isn’t it?’ He shook his head again. ‘It’s like a punishment. For not wanting it, I mean.’
‘Don’t you dare say that!’ Clare said. ‘Margo Tennant tried to murder Susan Clancy and Sara was brave enough to stop it, putting her own life at risk. She’s a real hero and whatever happened is Margo’s fault. No one else’s.’
‘I suppose. The doctor did say there’s no reason Sara can’t try again…’
‘Does she know?’
He looked away. ‘No.’ His voice was barely audible. ‘I’ll have to tell her once she’s able to take it in, you know?’
‘One step at a time, Chris,’ Clare said. ‘Come on, I’ll buy you a coffee. Then maybe they’ll let you in to see her.’
* * *
Lyall was sitting on a chair near the door, waiting for Clare when she finally returned to the station. He stood up as she entered. ‘Inspector, how is the officer?’
Clare smiled. ‘She’s going to be fine, Lyall. They’ve operated to repair the damage caused by the knife. She’ll be pretty sore for a few days and off work for weeks, but she will recover.’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry. I really am.’
Cla
re looked at him. He was near to tears. ‘Lyall, you’re not to blame. People like Susan Clancy – well, they can be very persuasive.’
Lyall flushed. ‘She said she’d knock my fucking teeth out if I didn’t take her in my car. I wasn’t sure if she meant it, but she gripped my arm so tightly and pulled me out the door.’
Clare laughed at the picture Lyall painted. She could just imagine Susan terrifying him into taking her to the campsite. ‘Listen, Lyall, if it hadn’t been Sara it could have been any of my other officers. Margo Tennant and her kind have no scruples. Thankfully Sara will recover and Margo is under arrest.’
Lyall attempted a smile. ‘Thank you, Inspector. I’ll get out of your way. It’s my last day here anyway. I think it’s better if I just go.’
Clare’s conscience began to prick her. ‘Lyall, there’s no rush. If you want to carry on writing up your findings, we’ve plenty of room now that the reinforcements are heading back to their own stations.’
His face lit up. ‘Well, if you’re sure, Inspector?’
‘Very sure. And call me Clare. Everyone else does.’
* * *
Tony was in a bullish mood. ‘That’s what I call a result, Inspector. I knew you’d thank me for bringing in Amy and Matt.’
‘A result? One of my officers almost died.’
‘Yeah, but she didn’t.’
‘No, she didn’t.’
He grinned. ‘And we have the culprits under lock and key so it’s a result!’
Clare decided there was little point in arguing. ‘Have Amy and Matt gone?’
‘Matt’s away. Said he’d give you a call later on. Amy’s taken a team to go through Ronnie Tennant’s shops and flats. See if the occupants will talk, now that he’s banged up. She seems to think she can stop Ronnie’s associates taking over his dealing. And there’s that stash found in Lisa Mitchell’s lock-up. That’s a whole load of gear off the streets.’ He stood and looked out of the window. ‘Oh yes, I think that’ll go down nicely with the interview panel.’ He turned back and grinned at Clare. ‘Say hello to Superintendent McAvettie.’
Clare left him clearing his things out of her office. In the incident room the local cops were disconnecting laptops and collapsing desks to return to storage. The blinds were open and the room was bathed in autumn sunshine. She decided to leave them to it and went back out to the main office. Jim was behind the desk and she realised she hadn’t asked about his wife for a few days. ‘Fancy a cuppa, Jim?’
‘Why not? I’m parched.’
They sat together, the first time Clare had sat down in what seemed like days. ‘And how’s Mary doing?’
‘Oh, not so bad,’ Jim said. ‘She’s hit a bit of a plateau now, mobility wise, but her speech is coming on. Sometimes I see her getting frustrated and the wrong word comes out, but she is improving, albeit slowly.’
‘Jim, you’ll never know how grateful I was that you came into work this week. You should really have been at home with Mary.’
Jim waved this away. ‘It’s nothing.’
‘I can’t imagine how I’d have managed without you here to keep things ticking over.’ She lowered her voice. ‘And keeping young Lyall occupied.’
Jim laughed. ‘He’s a good lad, really. A lot better than some of the press I’ve come across over the years. I just hope he doesn’t write a warts-and-all exposé of his time here.’
‘Frankly, Jim,’ Clare said, ‘I’m past caring. Let him do his worst!’
The front door opened and half a dozen reporters entered, clamouring for news.
‘Inspector, is it true the baby’s been found? Have you made an arrest? Was one of your officers injured?’
Clare glanced across at Lyall, tapping away at his computer. Then she walked over to the reporters. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, if you would give me half an hour or so, my associate here will prepare a statement for you.’
Lyall beamed back. ‘I’d be delighted… Clare.’ He smiled at the reporters. ‘Half an hour.’
‘You’ve just made the lad’s day,’ Jim whispered.
Clare laughed.
Her phone rang. Chris. Suddenly, she felt nervous. Had Sara taken a turn for the worse?
‘Clare,’ he said. ‘She’s awake. They’ve propped her up in bed and she’s high on morphine. She’s blethering all sorts of nonsense. Says as soon as she gets out of bed she’s gonna smack Margo Tennant right in the mouth.’
Clare laughed. ‘Oh Chris, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Thanks for telling me.’
‘There is one thing, though, Clare,’ Chris said, his tone more serious. ‘Liam Paton…’
‘The hit-and-run driver?’
‘Yeah, that’s him. The nurse just told me. They’ve called the family. The doctor’s asking for permission to switch off his life support.’
Clare sighed. ‘What a waste, Chris.’
‘Yeah. Thought you’d want to know.’
Clare put down the phone and thought about Danny and Liam. Stupid, stupid boys. Liam’s young life over; and now Danny would be up in court without his friend at his side. And all because Ronnie Tennant dangled the keys to an expensive car so someone else would take the rap for Lisa’s murder. She rose and went to wash out her mug. It would give her enormous pleasure to charge the Tennants with murder, to say nothing of Abi’s abduction. ‘I’m going to throw the book at them,’ she said to herself. She looked at the clock. Almost half-past four. She was tired out. As soon as she had checked the statement Lyall was drafting she would head back to Daisy Cottage. An early homecoming for Benjy. She’d put on her boots and take him for a tramp over the fields. It seemed ages since she’d spent any time with him.
And then, suddenly, it was all done. Lyall had delivered his statement proudly from the station steps, handing out copies to a bemused press pack. He bade them all farewell and told Clare to watch out for his article.
‘Can you remind me again of that Chief Inspector’s name?’ he asked Clare, his pencil at the ready. ‘Was it Tommy something?’
‘That’s right,’ she said, unable to resist the chance to check Tony’s overinflated ego. ‘Tommy McVitie. Like the biscuits.’
He beamed at her. ‘Ah yes, I remember now. Well, thank you, Clare.’ He held out his hand. ‘It’s been quite a week. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.’
Clare watched him go with something approaching regret. He had been so willing to help. She thought she might actually miss having him around. She watched him drive off then, calling good night, walked out to her own car. But instead of driving straight home, she headed towards the town centre. There was something she had to do.
Twenty minutes later, Clare pulled up outside a small semi-detached house in a quiet street, near Hallow Hill in the south-west part of St Andrews. She took her purchase out of the car and walked up the short path to the front door.
Marjory Brown was surprised to see Clare. ‘Inspector, how lovely to see you. Is there something wrong?’
Clare smiled. ‘No, nothing wrong. I just wanted to give you this, for Devon, to say thanks for his assistance. He was so helpful and I remembered he liked pizza.’
She held out a pizza box and Marjory took it.
‘Oh, how kind, Inspector. Won’t you come in?’
‘I won’t, thank you,’ Clare said. ‘I’m just on my way home.’
Devon appeared at his mother’s shoulder and peered round the door.
‘I’ve brought you a pizza, Devon,’ Clare said.
He frowned. ‘Mushrooms?’
‘No mushrooms.’
Devon’s face lit up. ‘I like pizza.’
‘Me too, Devon. Me too.’
* * *
At Daisy Cottage, Clare stepped out of the car and, reaching into the back, brought out a second pizza box. She could hear an excited Benjy barking from inside and she put her key in the door. Instantly, she felt the heat. Stopping only to ruffle Benjy on the neck and to put the pizza box out of his reach, she walked through the house in
amazement, feeling radiators and walking – yes, walking – on floorboards that had been missing for what seemed like weeks. A scribbled note from the plumber said he was finished, that it had been a real bastard of a job and he was sorry it had taken so long. Clare stood, leaning against a radiator, toasty warm, the freezing mornings and draughts from the missing floorboards all forgotten. She kicked off her shoes and padded through to the kitchen, Benjy at her heels. She opened the back door and he scampered out to the garden to pee.
While he was outside, Clare loaded a tray with a bottle of Chianti, a corkscrew and a large glass. She tipped the pizza (no mushrooms) onto a plate then opened the door to let Benjy back in.
She pulled over a coffee table and laid down the tray. Then she sat on the sofa and put her feet up. Benjy leapt up beside her and settled himself on her feet, watching hopefully as she ate pizza and sipped wine.
When she had eaten her fill, she set the tray down and picked up her phone. She dialled Geoffrey’s number.
‘Hello, you,’ he said. ‘How’s work?’
‘Very much improved,’ she told him.
‘I heard the baby’s been found. All well?’
‘The baby’s fine. One of my officers is in hospital but we have the culprits under lock and key so I’m home with my feet up. And…’
‘And?’
‘I have heat!’
‘No! Seriously? Well it’s about bloody time.’
They chatted on companionably. For the first time since Sunday, Clare felt relaxed; the way she’d felt when they had been in France. Now that Abi was found, they would surely have more time together. Things would soon be back to normal. She stretched out on the sofa, tickling Benjy under the chin with her toes.
‘I was thinking,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you ask Nicola and Ollie here for dinner one night?’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, I’d love to have them over. Not the other pair, mind you. Just the two of them. Now that this case is mostly tied up.’
In Plain Sight Page 28