by Lisa Stone
‘Early fifties I would say, but I’m not sure.’
‘Was he wearing a hat, scarf or gloves?’ Beth tried, making a note of what Doris had said.
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Was he carrying anything?’
‘Not as far as I could see, but it was dark. The lighting there is very poor. It’s something the council needs to address.’ She fidgeted with the cuffs on her cardigan as Beth wrote.
‘Did Leila appear to go with the man willingly or was she reluctant?’
‘He said a few words to her and she went off – happily, I thought.’
‘In which direction?’
‘I don’t know, I just saw them leave the play area.’
Beth nodded. ‘How long was Leila in the play area for?’
‘She arrived at the end of school just after three-thirty, as she often does, and was there until that man took her at six-ish. It was cold and I went out a few times and asked her if she wanted to come in and have something to eat. She said she wasn’t allowed to. Her mother had told her that if she did, I’d phone the social services and she’d be put into care. That’s what I call selfish, and I’m not the only one who thinks that around here.’
‘What was Leila doing all that time she was in the play area?’ Beth asked as Matt flicked the net curtain for a better view of their car.
‘Same as usual,’ Doris replied. ‘Rocking on the swing, sitting on the roundabout, talking to the older lads. I worry Leila will end up like some of the others here: pregnant at fifteen.’
‘Did Leila have anything with her?’
‘Just her school bag. You know, one of those reading folders with the school’s logo on it. All the kids from the school seem to have one.’
‘She wasn’t carrying a teddy bear?’ Beth asked.
‘Not that I could see. Why?’
‘It’s missing.’
‘Perhaps it was in her school bag.’
‘It’s too big.’ Beth paused. ‘You said you assumed the man who took Leila was known to Kelsey, and that she’d sent him to collect Leila. Has she ever done that before?’
Doris thought for a moment. ‘No, not as far as I can remember.’
‘So why would you think that was the case yesterday evening?’ Beth asked, puzzled. Matt looked at her.
Doris Goodman seemed to falter and took a moment to reply. ‘I’m not sure, really. It was just something that crossed my mind.’
‘Interesting,’ Matt said. ‘I wonder why you’d make that assumption rather than being worried that Leila had gone off with a complete stranger.’
‘I suppose because Leila was smiling as if she knew the man. If she’d been reluctant to go with him, I would have obviously been worried and called the police immediately.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Beth said as she finished writing. ‘Thank you.’
‘Will that be all?’ Doris Goodman asked. ‘Only I have to go out shortly.’
‘Yes, for now. If you do remember anything else, please call us straight away.’
‘I will.’ Doris stood and saw them out.
The door closed quickly behind them.
‘I think she’s losing her touch,’ Matt said as they returned to the car. ‘She could see the emblem on Leila’s school folder and that she was smiling, but she can’t give a description of the guy beyond average height and build.’
‘In fairness to her it was dark,’ Beth replied. ‘But at least her account confirms what Kelsey told us. And it seems Leila knew her abductor.’
‘Or he used the ploy of telling her he was a friend of her mother’s and she’d sent him to collect her,’ Matt suggested.
‘Yes, indeed,’ Beth agreed as they got into the car. ‘Next stop the school, then check the sex offenders’ register for those living in the area, including Kelsey’s client, Alan Stevens.’
‘I’ll update the boss,’ Matt said. ‘Uniform will need to start knocking on doors.’ He glanced up at the rows of windows overlooking the play area as Beth started the car. ‘Someone in those flats must surely have seen Leila leave with that guy.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ Beth said. ‘We haven’t got much to go on at present.’
NINE
Colin could smell excrement as soon as he walked into his flat. The stench was unmistakable, and it wasn’t coming from dog shit on his shoe. Dropping the carrier bags of groceries in the hall, he unlocked the bedroom door.
‘Jesus! Couldn’t you have waited until I got back and used the bathroom?’ The smell was overpowering.
‘No!’ Leila shouted angrily. ‘I had to go and there was no toilet paper. I hate being shut in here. I want to go home now! I don’t want to play any more.’
She was off the bed in a second and running towards the door. He grabbed her just in time and held her fast as she struggled and lashed out, surprisingly strong for a child. ‘I want to go home!’ she cried.
He put his hand over her mouth. ‘Shut up. You can’t go home. Your mother doesn’t want you.’
She bit his hand.
‘Ouch, you little cow!’ He went to slap her face, but she pulled out of reach.
Still struggling, she began to scream and he clamped his hand over her mouth again. ‘Shut up!’ he hissed. ‘Someone will hear you.’
She kept struggling, then suddenly she went floppy. He took his hand from her mouth and she gasped for breath. ‘I couldn’t breathe, you idiot!’
‘So don’t scream.’ Perhaps he’d overdone it. She’d gone very pale. ‘Sit on the bed and take a few deep breaths,’ he said more gently.
He guided her to the bed and waited until her breathing eased and the colour returned to her cheeks. Cupping her chin with his fingers he raised her head so she was looking directly up at him. ‘Leila, you need to learn to do as I say. It’s for your own good. Do you understand?’ She stared back at him, wide-eyed and fearful. ‘You’re not living with your mother now. You’ve been saved from that life, it’s ended, but we need a few ground rules here. Are you listening to me?’
She managed a small nod.
‘Good. No kicking, screaming or biting,’ he said. ‘Only animals bite. You will do as I say while I am acting as your parent. I am all you have for now. Consider yourself lucky you have this chance of a new start. In future you will use the bathroom before I go to work and then again when I come home. Understood?’
‘But what if I can’t wait?’ Leila asked, her voice slight.
‘You’re a big girl, you can wait. It’s not nice for me to come home and find this disgusting mess, so it won’t happen again.’
Leila gave another small nod. ‘Excellent. Good girl. You will empty the potty. Clean it well. I made a mistake in buying that. But I am learning about looking after children, just as you are learning what it is to have a responsible parent. Once the potty is clean, you can clear up the mess in this room. I don’t want to come home and find it like this again.’
‘What’s my mummy doing?’ Leila asked in the same small voice.
‘I’ve no idea. Why would you want to know that?’
‘I heard her crying before you came in.’
He glanced up at the ceiling. It was quiet up there now, but if Leila had heard her mother then it was possible Kelsey could hear Leila.
‘You didn’t make any noise while I was out, did you?’ he asked with a stab of fear. ‘I warned you what would happen if you did.’
‘No, but someone came to your door so I hid under the bed like you told me to.’
His lips curled into a smile. ‘Good girl, you’ve done well. But how did that doll get broken?’ His gaze went to the smashed doll and his smiled vanished.
‘I dropped it by accident,’ Leila stammered.
‘Are you sure? You wouldn’t tell me a lie, would you?’
‘No. Really.’
‘And you didn’t make a noise all day?’
Leila shook her head.
‘Good. Because if you do make a noise, I’ll have to tape your mouth shut
and tie you up each time I leave the flat, and that wouldn’t be very nice for either of us, would it?’
‘No.’ Her voice trembled.
‘Excellent. Now off you go. Empty that potty and then clear up in here while I make us dinner.’
Leila obediently went to the potty. ‘Careful you don’t slop it,’ he called after her. ‘Or you’ll have more cleaning to do.’
He followed her out of the bedroom and, as she went into the bathroom, he turned the key in the front door and put the key into his trouser pocket. Just in case she had any more thoughts about leaving. He wasn’t sure he could trust her any more. Picking up the carrier bags, he went through to the kitchen and began unpacking the groceries. The toilet flushed and then he heard water running as Leila washed out the potty. He’d give it a good clean with disinfectant later to make sure. He couldn’t stand the thought of dirt or germs.
Perhaps he was expecting too much of the child, Colin wondered as he began preparing dinner. It was early days for both of them. They had a lot of adjusting to do and he should try to be more patient and understanding. Once they’d eaten, they’d feel better. Roast chicken, potatoes and fresh vegetables – a proper meal, like the ones his father used to cook for him. But unlike his father he wouldn’t force Leila to eat every last scrap – even the fat and gristle on the meat, which had made him gag.
Once they’d eaten, they would play the games he’d bought specially: Scrabble, cards and Cluedo. They’d have fun. He could picture it. Unlike in his home where there’d been no games or laughter, just routine and discipline. As an only child, most of his free time had been spent in his bedroom playing by himself. In his imaginary games he cast himself as the hero rescuing lost and lonely children. And now he was doing it in real life. The irony didn’t escape him. To finish the evening, he’d read Leila a bedtime story and tuck her into bed. The perfect ending to what eventually would become another perfect day.
Strange the way things worked out, he thought as he placed the meal in the oven. Who would have ever guessed that at his age he’d find a partner and have a family!
TEN
‘You should eat something,’ Sharon said with a sigh, placing the tray on her sister’s lap. ‘It used to be your favourite. Cream of tomato soup with bread in it.’
‘It’s not food I need,’ Kelsey said wretchedly. ‘I need something to help me get through this.’ Her fingers shook as she steadied the tray.
‘You’re not using while I’m here,’ Sharon said sharply. ‘You know my views on drugs. And supposing the police look in again later like they told you they would and find you’re off your head. That would end any chance of you keeping Leila.’
‘I’ve had my last chance and I blew it,’ Kelsey said wretchedly. ‘When they find Leila she’ll go straight into care and then be adopted like my other kids, and that will be the last I’ll see of her.’
‘You don’t know that for certain,’ Sharon said. ‘You can’t be held responsible for a man taking Leila away.’
‘Oh, come off if,’ Kelsey snapped. ‘Get real. I left Leila in the play area all evening and didn’t realize she was missing until fucking four o’clock this morning! Then what do I do? I go back to bed and don’t report her missing for another six hours! Nice of you to be on my side, sis, but it’s not helping. This really is the end of the road for me being a mother. And I don’t want this soup either.’ She put the tray on the floor. ‘All I wanted was to have a family and give my kids what we didn’t have. But I’ve made a complete fuck-up of it. You’ve got a career, your own house and car.’
‘But no children,’ Sharon pointed out.
‘You didn’t want any, did you? I mean, I know you’ve offered to take Leila in the past, but that’s just you being nice, isn’t it?’
‘To be honest, after what our step-father did to you I was too wary to let any man close enough to start a proper relationship, let alone have kids with them,’ Sharon said.
‘Clearly I wasn’t,’ Kelsey replied cynically, with a humourless laugh. ‘I had the men and kids easy enough, but then I needed drugs to shut out the past.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Sharon said, touching her sister’s arm. ‘I know we agreed not to talk about it, but I do feel responsible. I always have. It’s a massive burden for me to carry because I know deep down you must resent me. You put up with his abuse for all those years so he would leave me alone.’
‘Of course I don’t resent you, you daft cow. You were my little sister. Mum didn’t want to know what was going on and there was no one else to take care of us. You’d have done the same for me.’
There was silence before Sharon said, ‘And now I can repay you. I have the feeling this is going to turn out better than you think.’
‘I doubt it,’ Kelsey said. ‘It’s going to take more than your wishful thinking to bring Leila back and wipe out everything I’ve done wrong. Where do you think she could be?’
‘I don’t know, but I’m certain she won’t come to any harm.’
A knock sounded on the door and Sharon stood to answer it.
‘If it’s one of my clients, tell them I’m not open for business right now,’ Kelsey called after her.
She heard the door open and then a male voice say, ‘DC Matt Davis and Beth Mayes.’
‘I’m Kelsey’s sister. Any news?’ Sharon asked. ‘Come in.’
They appeared in the living room.
‘Sorry, we’ve interrupted your meal,’ Beth said, seeing the bowl of soup on the tray. Matt positioned himself by the window. ‘I take it Leila hasn’t been in touch?’ Beth asked.
‘No, and she hasn’t got a phone. The school saw to that!’
‘She could have got a friend to call you,’ Beth suggested.
‘Well, she hasn’t.’
‘Won’t you sit down?’ Sharon asked, making room on a chair.
‘Thank you. We won’t stay for long,’ Beth replied. ‘I just wanted to give you an update. And to let you know we’re doing everything we can to find Leila.’
Kelsey snorted with derision while Sharon said a polite ‘Thank you’.
‘We’ve spoken to Miss Baker, the Head of Leila’s school,’ Beth continued. ‘If Leila hasn’t been found by tomorrow, she will address the whole school in assembly, and explain that Leila is missing and if anyone knows where she might be or has seen her to tell a teacher.’
‘I hope that old bat of a Head is feeling guilty,’ Kelsey snapped. ‘If she’d let Leila have a phone in school none of this would have happened.’
‘Sshh,’ Sharon silenced her sister.
‘Well, it’s true,’ Kelsey retaliated.
‘We’ve got officers knocking on doors all over the estate,’ Beth continued. ‘Many of the flats overlook the play area so it’s likely someone else saw Leila leave with the man, apart from Mrs Goodman. Unfortunately her description wasn’t that detailed.’
‘What did she say?’ Sharon asked.
‘Only that the man who took Leila was of average height and build and wearing a coat. However, the important part is that Leila appeared to know him. Can you think of anyone it could be?’ Beth asked, looking at both sisters.
‘No,’ Sharon said, ‘but I don’t know many people around here.’
‘He might not be from here,’ Matt put in.
‘I don’t know any of my sister’s friends,’ Sharon corrected. ‘And that description could fit thousands of men.’
Beth concentrated on Kelsey. ‘What about you? Can you think of someone who might fit that description?’
Kelsey shook her head. ‘Like Sharon says, it could be anyone.’
‘We’ll need a list of your clients with their contact details,’ Beth said to Kelsey.
‘You’ve gotta be kidding me!’
‘No. We’re working on the assumption that the man Leila went with was someone she knew, so it’s important you’re honest. We’re especially interested in the men who visited you here at the flat so very likely know you have a child, maybe have e
ven met Leila.’
‘I don’t keep the blokes’ names and addresses,’ Kelsey said. ‘I’m lucky if they give me a first name.’
‘So how do they get in contact with you?’ Beth asked.
‘They text my mobile,’ she said.
‘So can you provide us with a list of their phone numbers?’
Kelsey looked sceptical.
‘Yes, we will,’ Sharon said. ‘I’ll see to it.’
‘Thank you,’ Beth said. ‘We won’t contact them yet. Most missing persons are found within forty-eight hours, but if Leila isn’t found tomorrow, we’ll escalate the search. We’ll put out a missing person’s appeal on the news with a description of what she was wearing and the missing teddy bear. We’ll use her recent school photograph – Miss Baker gave us a copy. I assume the bear hasn’t turned up?’
Kelsey shook her head.
‘We’re going to speak to Mike Doherty and Jason O’Leary shortly and see what they know. Are you staying with your sister?’ Beth asked Sharon.
‘Just for the evening, then I have to go home. I work full-time, but Kelsey knows she can call me whenever she wants.’
Beth nodded and looked at Kelsey. ‘Would you like a family liaison officer to stay with you for support?’
Kelsey stifled a laugh. ‘A copper staying in my flat! That’ll be good for business.’
Sharon rolled her eyes and sighed.
‘It’s something you can think about,’ Beth said evenly. ‘Here’s my card.’ She handed it to Kelsey. ‘Call or text me if you think of anything that might help.’
‘We will,’ Sharon said, taking the card from her sister. ‘Thank you for your time.’
As Sharon saw the officers out, Kelsey checked her phone, then pushed the tray of food out of reach with her foot. It was even more unappetizing now it was cold. The remaining gram of coke hidden in the bathroom was far more appealing: a small break from an otherwise shit life. But before she could have the coke, she’d have to get rid of her sister.
ELEVEN
On leaving Kelsey’s flat, Beth and Matt took the stairs, as the lift was stuck at the top floor. ‘Probably jammed open by vandals again,’ Beth said as they continued to walk down.