by Wyer, Carol
‘David, is Leigh with you? Zoe’s mother said she left school early with a stomach ache. Please ring me as soon as you get this message. I’m worried.’
She glanced up at Lucy. ‘Can you start the interview? I need to make another call.’
‘Is everything okay?’
‘I hope so. I’m probably overreacting.’
‘I’ll deal with Anthony. You check it out.’ She took the file from Natalie, who sat on the settee in the corridor and called Eric, David’s father.
‘Eric, it’s Natalie.’
‘Hi, Natalie.’
‘Is David there?’
‘No. He popped round for a few minutes yesterday afternoon but I’ve not laid eyes on him today.’
‘Yes, he said… You get the washing machine fixed?’
‘Washing machine? You’ve lost me there. It’s working fine. Erm… is everything all right?’
‘I’m trying to track him and Leigh down. They aren’t answering their phones. Look, if he rings you, get him to call me immediately.’
‘Certainly. What’s going on? You sound… anxious.’
‘Leigh supposedly went home after lunch with a stomach ache and I’m checking on her whereabouts.’
‘Maybe she’s at home now.’
‘No one’s picking up there. I’m at work.’
‘I could drive over if it would help, see if they’re in.’
‘I’ve left messages. They’ll ring me. Besides, Josh will be back home soon. I can ask him. Thanks, Eric.’
‘No problem. Kids, eh? Such a worry – even when they grow up. Try not to get overly concerned. She’ll be fine.’
She pocketed her mobile and reasoned David had the matter in hand, but the knowledge that the Watfield Herald had mentioned her daughter didn’t help matters. She was getting jittery and she couldn’t afford to get distracted. Anthony was waiting for her.
Anthony was looking more confident with his lawyer by his side, a woman in her late forties who acknowledged Natalie’s arrival with a small tilt of her head. With the recording device in operation, the lawyer spoke up.
‘My client, Mr Anthony Lane, would like to make it clear that he is here to assist you with your enquiries but had nothing to do with the disappearance of any teenager. He feels you have victimised him since the start of this investigation and would like it put on record he is unhappy with your treatment of him. He has paid for his past indiscretions and has not reoffended since.’
Natalie took the open file from Lucy and said, ‘It is duly noted. Sergeant Carmichael, how far were you in this interview?’
‘I’d just asked Mr Lane why he was outside the Aldi supermarket yesterday afternoon.’
‘To which I replied I was buying food,’ said Anthony with a self-satisfied smirk.
Natalie let the smug remark wash over her. ‘That may well be the case but if we examine the footage taken from the CCTV camera, in particular this image, you can see quite clearly you weren’t making any move towards the supermarket. You were, in fact, standing still and staring at this girl.’
‘For the recorder, DI Ward is showing Anthony Lane a photograph taken from the CCTV camera outside Aldi at ten past four.’
‘I was looking past her at something in the distance.’
‘And still looking at that same something a few minutes later? You can see by the time clock in the top left-hand corner, you watched her for a full five minutes until she entered the supermarket, and you remained glued to that spot until she re-emerged, four minutes later.’
‘DI Ward is showing Anthony Lane three more photographs showing the interviewee staring at Katy Bywater.’
Anthony glanced at his lawyer. ‘I wasn’t doing anything wrong.’ The lawyer nodded to urge him to explain.
‘I like looking at teenage girls and I don’t mean in a perverted way either, before you jump to conclusions. I simply admire them – their confidence, their arrogance even. They have a way of acting, standing and talking that fascinates me. This girl exuded a sadness that was evident in the way her head was bowed and the way she walked. I was just observing her.’
Natalie was quick to respond. ‘That sounds very poetic. You certainly seem to enjoy observing teenage girls, don’t you? This is the third time you’ve come to our attention, and all three girls you were watching have disappeared – two have been found dead.’
He heaved a sigh. ‘It’s a tragedy. They were all lovely in different ways. I’ll level with you. After I finish work, I shop at that supermarket every day at about the time the schoolchildren finish for the day. I don’t mean any harm at all. I’m not preying on them or following them. I look out for subjects I think are interesting.’
‘Can you clarify what you mean by subjects?’
‘I paint women, mostly young women on the cusp of womanhood, and try to capture their emotions as they struggle to develop into maturity. I take my inspiration from those girls I see hanging around the supermarket. They are all very different in looks, mannerisms and attitudes.’
Lucy cocked her head to one side like a sparrow. ‘You’re an artist?’
‘It’s a hobby but I’ve become quite good at it. I’ve even sold a couple of portraits. I go to classes every Wednesday evening.’
‘Did you paint the picture of the girl with the daisy that’s in your storage room?’ Lucy asked.
‘Yes, that’s one of mine. The canvases are too big for me to keep in my flat so I store them in my art teacher’s garage along with all my painting equipment.’
The sour combination of vinegar and chocolate rose in Natalie’s throat as she realised Anthony was unlikely to be the killer. ‘And you went to art class last night?’
‘That’s right. It’s from eight to ten every Wednesday at the Methodist Hall in Church Street. I’ve been attending since I arrived in Watfield. It began as therapy and has grown into a real passion.’
‘What did you do after art class?’
‘I hung around chatting to the others for a good quarter of an hour, then took my equipment back to Chad’s house – that’s my art teacher – and then went home.’
If the timings were correct, and Chad vouched for him, it would have left no time for him to drive to Katy’s house and kidnap her. Anthony stared at her, his eyes bright. Could he be involved? Was he working with somebody? Did he identify a potential victim and then alert a partner? Natalie’s brain was having difficulty processing that theory and there was something about the way he spoke with such passion about his painting that made her believe he was telling the truth.
‘I want to make it clear that although I’m on the sex offenders’ register, I’ve not reoffended. Following my release, I saw a therapist who helped me work through my issues. Painting transformed my negative emotions into creative positives. I swear I’ve never approached any of these girls with any intent to harm or shock. I’ve only ever observed them at a short distance for my artwork.’
Natalie paused for a moment. Did she believe him? Facts were facts. Did he simply study teenagers in order to get ideas for his paintings? It sounded plausible. ‘Do you have many of these paintings?’
His face transformed as his eyes crinkled with pride. ‘Over twenty canvases now. Chad says they’re good enough to exhibit and is going to try and arrange to have them shown in a gallery in Repton.’
Natalie had a choice to irk him and make him uncooperative by insisting he had something to do with the disappearances, or appeal to him. She chose the latter. ‘Anthony, on three separate occasions you saw the girls who disappeared, soon before they actually went missing. Did you notice anyone else watching them, or even following them? Think carefully. You might be able to save this girl’s life.’ She tapped her finger on the photograph of Katy.
He screwed up his face. ‘I tend to get lost in my own world when I’m watching, imagining how I’d paint their eyes or their expressions.’
‘I understand but if you cast your mind back to yesterday afternoon, did you see anybody you r
ecognised going in or coming out of the supermarket at around that time?’
‘I can’t think of anyone.’
Natalie sat back in her seat, allowing him time to think. Eventually he shook his head. Her phone vibrated in her pocket – an incoming call. She pulled it out. The screen flashed David’s name.
‘Sorry, I can’t think of anyone. I was fixed on her sorrow and how I could paint her in shades of blue and purple.’
‘Give it some more thought, and if anything springs to mind, let us know.’
‘Will there be anything else, Inspector?’ the lawyer asked.
Natalie wished it were otherwise but she had no reason to hang onto Anthony Lane. ‘Not at the moment. Thank you for your time.’
They ended the interview and Natalie left Lucy to see them out. She walked on ahead to the bright lights of the foyer. She had nothing to give Aileen. There were no suspects and the clock was ticking. BBC News was showing on a screen in reception and she paused as a familiar reporter came into view, The ticker tape headlines read: Watfield Monster strikes fear into town… Katy Bywater believed to be third victim… Police urge public to remain vigilant.
She stood directly in front of the television set and listened to the report.
The land and air search for fourteen-year-old Katy Bywater continues into the evening amidst growing concerns for her safety. Katy went missing from her home here in Watfield yesterday evening and there has been no word of her whereabouts. Katy is the third teenager to have disappeared this week. Thirteen-year-old Savannah Hopkins’ body was discovered only a few hundred metres from her home on Western Park Road on Tuesday morning, and following her disappearance on Tuesday afternoon, the body of fourteen-year-old Harriet Long was found in woodlands behind her house on Wednesday morning, which leaves the question on everyone’s lips: is Katy the killer’s third victim?
She couldn’t watch any more. The killer had murdered his victims soon after snatching them. How long would the bastard keep Katy alive, and was it already too late for the girl? She walked outside, away from the broadcast, and rang David, who’d obviously got her message and was ringing to reassure her. He picked up on the second ring and she strained to hear him.
‘Nat, I’m so sorry.’
‘David?’
‘It’s all my fault.’
‘David, what are you saying?’
‘Leigh. She hasn’t come home. I don’t know where she is.’
Twenty-Six
Thursday, 19 April – Evening
‘I’ll have another officer assigned to the investigation,’ said Aileen.
‘No way. I’ve been leading this from the off and it’s my daughter who’s missing. I’m best suited to be in charge.’
‘You’re personally involved.’
‘All the more reason to stick to it.’
Aileen shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Natalie, you’ll have to step away from it. I need a detective with a clear head. You’re too emotionally wrapped up in it.’
Natalie gritted her teeth. ‘She’s my daughter and I’m one of the best you have. Not only that, I’ve been eating and breathing this case since it began. If you bring somebody fresh to it, we’ll waste valuable time. I don’t need to tell you how imperative it is that we jump on this now. Aileen. I’m not asking… I’m begging.’
Aileen fell silent for a few minutes then said, ‘All right.’
‘Thank you.’ Natalie spun on her heel.
Mike had joined Lucy and Murray in the office. ‘I’m going with you.’
She gave a brief nod.
Lucy looked across. ‘DI Kilburn’s already at your house. He’s got units looking for her.’
‘Right. I’ll speak to David and you carry on here. If the perp has Katy, we need to stick to facts and evidence if we’re to get her back safely.’ She couldn’t bring herself to add that the killer might also have her own daughter.
‘On it,’ said Lucy.
Natalie marched out beside Mike, head held high, aware of eyes trained on her. The news had spread quickly. She wasn’t going to forget for one second that she was a mother, but she was also a detective – a bloody good one, as Mike had reminded her – the crème de la crème. If some bastard had taken her daughter in the hope she’d lose focus, they were wrong – very wrong. She’d nail them, and when she did, they’d wish they hadn’t messed with her family.
She’d also had a chance to process her thoughts since David’s phone call. Leigh might well have decided to take off – probably to punish her and David for their fall-outs. There was not necessarily any connection between the investigation and Leigh going missing. For a start, she didn’t attend any school in Watfield, nor did she know Savannah, Harriet or Katy. Natalie held onto that hope. It wasn’t the best of scenarios but it was way better than the alternative – that Leigh was in the killer’s hands.
They drove in silence. Just outside Castergate, Mike cleared his throat before saying, ‘Go easy on him.’
‘David?’
‘He’ll be cut up.’
‘I know.’
‘He’ll blame himself.’
She sighed. ‘I know he will.’
‘Good. Then don’t go all hard ball on him.’
She nodded. If it had been anyone other than her own husband, she’d have probed and demanded and pushed for answers, but on this occasion, she’d be met with guilt and even self-loathing, because for all his faults, David loved his family.
Her street was swarming with officers conducting door-to-door enquiries and neighbours, people she’d known for years. Concerned faces looked up as she arrived in the squad car and she swallowed hard. The hunt for her daughter was on. Mike double-parked on the street outside her house and stood by the vehicle – a silent sentinel – as she got out. A familiar voice yelled, ‘DI Ward!’ Natalie bristled. Bev Gardiner was here.
‘How the fuck did she hear about this?’
Mike placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘Leave it,’ he warned.
‘Get her out of my sight,’ she hissed.
‘Will do. Go in.’
Her home, her family’s refuge, had been invaded. Uniformed police moved about upstairs. Josh’s school bag hung from the banister but Leigh’s untidy mess of shoes and bag were absent. Her stomach lurched. A female officer bounded down the stairs and drew to a halt on seeing Natalie. ‘Ma’am.’
Natalie nodded a response. She straightened her shoulders. She had to be strong. Voices were coming from the kitchen – Graham and David. She swallowed hard and strode towards it. David was at the kitchen table, his head in his hands. He lifted his face, a contorted mask of agony.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
‘We’ll get her back.’ She’d said the very same words to other parents in the past and watched the hope spark in their eyes. David continued to watch her, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. ‘You weren’t to know.’
Graham stood up. ‘We’re talking to all her friends. The school nurse didn’t set eyes on her so it’s likely Leigh lied about the stomach ache and has taken off of her own accord.’
‘Any footage from the school?’
‘There’s nothing on the cameras by the entrances so the only other route she could have taken was across the playing fields.’
The playing fields were flanked by hedgerows but it was feasible Leigh had squeezed through a gap and made her way onto the lane that ran beside them, thus avoiding detection. Graham continued, ‘She might not even be far away. We’ve pulled in all camera surveillance footage from the Castergate Secondary School vicinity. Her phone is switched off so we can’t track it but we’ve notified the provider and we’re hoping for a ping.’
Natalie knew the Missing Persons unit was doing everything in their power to locate her daughter, but if Leigh had left at the end of lunchtime, she’d already been on the move for over five hours and might have covered quite a distance. She had confidence in Graham’s abilities. He’d tracked many teenagers. He’d be fully aware of all possibiliti
es. The main question was, did he have sufficient manpower to track two missing girls?
He must have guessed her thoughts from her expression. He spoke gently. ‘We’ve intensified the search for Katy Bywater but we’ve pulled in extra squads from Derbyshire to help us man both operations. We’ve got everyone, including those off-duty, to help us with this.’
She gave him a tight smile of thanks.
‘One of my team is talking to Josh and we’re examining Leigh’s browsing history on her iPad. Your husband gave us permission to examine her social media sites as well.’
They seemed to have it all covered but there was one important question to ask. ‘Has she been on the Disappear website?’
‘Yes, she has, several times over the last couple of weeks.’
Her chest started to ice over again at the thought of a connection that linked her daughter to the other victims, yet Leigh didn’t know the other girls. This had to be a coincidence. She waited for the sensation to subside and silently prayed her daughter was safe. Mike was once again behind her. ‘Bev Gardiner has left,’ was all he said.
‘Mike.’ David sounded like a wounded animal. It was almost too much effort to speak.
‘How are you holding up?’