‘And she didn’t stay long, went home yesterday,’ Valentine said.
‘Okay so we know that Nia was there at ten, enough time to take Ella and drive to Lancaster and home again,’ Blackwell said.
‘Yeah but Nia cares for the child, she’s not going to hand her over to some stranger,’ Edris said.
‘So maybe we need to look at Nia’s contacts, it would have to be someone she trusted to hide Ella. Although, I can’t see what she would achieve by doing that,’ Meadows said.
‘Maybe she would rather see the child brought up by a loving family than with her sister,’ Paskin suggested. ‘Back to the illegal adoption theory but money wasn’t the motive.’
‘But Natalie says she heard Ella crying later in the night and George was certain that he saw Natalie go out at two in the morning,’ Valentine said.
‘Natalie was off her head on shrooms,’ Edris said.
‘Yes, but George saw two cars. Nia was in work by nine and dropped the children off at school before she left, so wouldn't have had enough time to drive to Lancaster and back,’ Meadows said.
‘Okay not Nia but what about the other sister, Leanne?’ Valentine asked.
‘The one who lives on the Isle of Man?’ Blackwell smirked. ‘I would say that was a fairly tight alibi.’
‘Just a thought,’ Valentine said.
‘Who spoke to her when Ella first went missing?’ Meadows asked.
‘Me,’ Paskin said. ‘She seemed genuinely upset and shocked about Ella’s abduction.’
‘The contact number Nia gave for Leanne was a mobile,’ Meadows said.
‘Which means she could have taken the call anywhere,’ Edris said.
Meadows called a map up on his computer. He zoomed in on Lancaster, then zoomed out; as he did, he saw the blue dotted lines tracking across the sea to the Isle of Man.
‘Heysham is not far from the cottage, it’s one of the main crossings to the Isle of Man. Leanne said she used that route on Thursday. Bit too much of a coincidence.’
‘Nah,’ Blackwell said. ‘She’d have to get a crossing, drive to Coopers Wood estate, snatch Ella, and drive back to Lancaster without being seen. That’s quite a journey alone with a young child. Then she would need to get Ella back to the island with a boat full of people as witnesses.’
‘And she would need a passport for the child,’ Edris said.
‘No, she would just need a passenger ticket. If she came over with her own car she could’ve driven on the boat with the child in the back seat,’ Meadows said.
‘All the airports and ports were alerted as soon as we established that Ella had been abducted,’ Blackwell said. ‘She wouldn’t have been able to sneak Ella aboard and even if she did someone would have noticed and reported it later. The child’s picture was on every news channel.’
‘It’s not impossible though,’ Meadows said. ‘Especially if she had help from Nia. When I saw her at Nia’s house she had a little boy with her, what if the child was Ella with her hair cut and dressed as a boy? What better way to hide the child than in plain sight? Ella has been missing for a week so, if Leanne travelled yesterday it’s unlikely that anyone would take any notice of what they thought was a little boy.’
‘But why do it? Why would they put their sister through that ordeal?’ Paskin asked.
‘When Sally Anderson was telling us how she lost control for a few moments and killed her baby daughter, all sorts of thoughts went through my mind,’ Meadows said. ‘I thought how different things may have been if she’d had some support, someone to turn to, or even if social services had been more involved.’
‘But Natalie has plenty of family around to help. Are you saying the sisters would take Ella to help?’
‘Perhaps they took Ella because they couldn’t help. They had tried social services. Nia has her own family to take care of and a sick mother. She can’t always be watching Natalie, and Leanne lives too far away,’ Meadows said.
‘It’s a bit extreme,’ Blackwell said.
‘It’s worth checking out – at least see if Leanne was on the passenger list last weekend,’ Meadows said.
‘I’ll get on to it,’ Edris said.
‘But the woman in the cottage had a little boy when she arrived on Saturday,’ Paskin said.
‘Leanne has a son, according to Nia. See if you can find out, Paskin. Valentine can you get back onto Lancaster police and ask them to send a team of forensics over to the cottage. If Ella was there maybe we’ll be in luck and they’ll pick something up.’
‘We should just get Nia in here and grill her,’ Blackwell said.
‘No, if Ella is with Leanne, I don’t want her tipped off. Let’s see if Nia’s car was picked up on the traffic cameras and if she has any contacts in Lancaster,’ Meadows said.
‘Steam Packet are checking the passenger lists, they’ll get back to us,’ Edris said.
‘I guess we just have to sit around and wait,’ Blackwell grumbled.
‘Yes,’ Meadows said. ‘There are plenty of checks to do in the meantime. Finances and call logs from Ryan and Natalie’s phones. If you’re really desperate for some action you can go and see Claire, Dan and Jamie, see what reaction you get when you question them about the cottage in Lancaster.’
‘Yeah, I’ll go and see them.’ Blackwell grabbed his jacket and sauntered out of the office.
* * *
The rest of the day was spent obtaining information and tracking calls made by Natalie and Ryan. They had already been through them once but now they were looking for any connection with Lancaster. Apart from the occasional phone call, the office was quiet as the team scanned information. Blackwell returned to the office claiming that despite a good grilling he was met with vacant expressions when mentioning the cottage in Lancaster.
‘Nothing on social media,’ Valentine said. ‘It would be the obvious way to make contact if it wasn’t by phone call.’
‘I asked the tech guys to check Natalie’s laptop again. She didn’t make the booking from that computer and the booking was made online,’ Paskin said.
‘So maybe Natalie is telling the truth for a change and she didn’t book the cottage,’ Edris said.
‘What about Ryan’s computer?’ Meadows asks.
‘I got them to check that as well,’ Paskin said. ‘He didn’t make the booking.’
‘I still think we should get Nia in, get a warrant to search her house so we can check her computer. At least we can rule her out,’ Blackwell said.
‘At the moment, we don’t have any evidence that Nia is involved,’ Meadows said. ‘We’re not going to get a warrant unless her car is picked up by traffic driving to Lancaster on the night Ella was abducted.’
‘Leanne does have a son, a two-year-old. I checked it out,’ Valentine said. ‘So, it could have been her at the cottage.’
The phone on Edris’ desk rang, and the team fell silent as Edris lifted the receiver. Meadows felt a tinge of excitement when he saw the smile on Edris face.
‘Well?’ Meadows asked as soon as Edris ended the call.
‘Leanne Gillis and her son Elijah travelled in their car on the eight o’clock crossing, Saturday twelfth of March. They docked at eleven thirty. They returned to the Isle of Man yesterday.’
‘So, she was here when Ella was abducted,’ Meadows said, ‘and has been hiding out in the cottage in Lancaster.’
‘The only problem being is that she travelled with her son. I think they would have noticed at the check-in if she had an extra child going back,’ Edris said.
‘Unless she didn’t bring her son over, and like I said earlier, if she cut Ella’s hair and dressed her as a boy no one would notice,’ Meadows said.
‘Yeah, but Steam Packet is certain that the child was checked in on both journeys,’ Edris said.
‘And there was a child at the cottage before Ella went missing,’ Paskin added.
‘It was a good theory,’ Edris said.
‘I think Leanne is definitely involved som
ehow.’ Meadows sat down at his desk. ‘Why else would she lie about coming over on the ferry on Thursday? She could’ve had both children with her when she stayed at Nia’s house. Nia looked worried when we visited. Or maybe someone already picked up Elijah and took him home. Leanne’s husband? Then again, she could have risked taking the two children on the boat, if one was sleeping and covered up at check-in, after that I doubt anyone would take any notice.’
‘Can’t see that,’ Blackwell said. ‘I think you are making this up as you go along. We all want to find the child alive but let’s face it, she was probably dead before she left the house.’
Meadows sighed. ‘You could be right, but no matter how small the possibility is that she is alive, we owe it to her to check it out. Leanne could have pulled it off, even left Ella here with someone. We’ve already searched all the houses, so it would be easy to hide her now.’
‘So, you want us to search all the houses again?’ Blackwell said.
‘No, I think we should pay a visit to Leanne, it’s the only way to be sure. I’ll call when I get there and you can visit Nia at the same time. That way the sisters won’t have time to come up with a story of why Leanne was here when Ella went missing.’
‘I think it’s a waste of time.’ Blackwell huffed. ‘I can’t see Lester agreeing to it.’
‘I’ll tell him when we get back,’ Meadows said. ‘Come on, what have we got to lose?’ Meadows looked around the team.
‘I’m with you,’ Edris said.
‘You would be,’ Blackwell snapped.
‘I think it’s worth a try,’ Paskin said.
‘Valentine?’ Meadows looked at the newest member of the team.
Valentine nodded. ‘I agree.’
‘Right, Edris, go home and get some rest, we have an early start in the morning,’ Meadows said.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Meadows felt the tension leave his shoulders as the plane made its descent into Douglas airport. It was the only time during the flight that his hands hadn’t gripped the armrests. He hated flying – being confined to a small space with his legs cramped. Edris, amused by Meadows’ discomfort, had gazed out of the window giving a running commentary throughout the flight.
The plane touched down on the runway with a jolt and Meadows let out a breath that he felt he had been holding since take off.
‘Feeling better?’ Edris said grinning.
‘I will when I get my feet on the ground.’ Meadows unclipped his belt, stood and joined the queue.
Edris laughed. ‘Can’t believe you’re scared of flying.’
‘I’m not frightened, I just don’t like someone else being in control of my life. If we had the time, I would’ve insisted we take the boat.’
‘Then you would’ve been on your own, I get seasick,’ Edris said.
A bitter wind ruffled Meadows hair as he descended the steps onto the tarmac. He pulled in a lungful of sea air.
‘Lovely, there never feels like there’s enough oxygen on the plane.’
‘That will be down to your anxiety.’ Edris pulled up the collar on his jacket. ‘Maybe you should have a few pints before the return flight, you’ll feel much better.’
They were met in arrivals by DS Jim Kelly, a greying, thickset man with a broad Irish accent. ‘Welcome to the mainland.’ Kelly smiled. ‘Picked a nice day for it. Wind’s a bit choppy but it’s blown the clouds away.’
‘Thanks for meeting us,’ Meadows said.
‘No problem, not a lot going on. The car is out front. I’ll take you on the coast road, give you a chance to see the scenery.’
Kelly continued to chatter as they drove out of the airport, giving them a description of life and the lack of crime on the island.
‘So, you think that Leanne Gillis has some involvement in the abduction of Ella Beynon? I’ve been following the story, I’ve got a grandson the same age.’
‘We’re just following a line of enquiry, need to ask her a few questions,’ Meadows said.
‘She’s the auntie of the missing child?’ Kelly asked.
‘Yes,’ Edris said from the back. ‘She took a ferry over the weekend of the abduction.’
‘Do you know the family?’ Meadows asked.
‘Not Leanne, but her in-laws are a well-respected couple. Will Gillis is a paramedic and his wife a teacher. Both born on the island. I can’t see that they would knowingly be involved.’
‘Like I said, we just need to ask a few questions,’ Meadows said.
And hopefully find Ella in her house.
Meadows gazed out of the window and let his eyes trail the lush fields to the cliff edge. As they left Douglas, the road wound higher, and he could see the sea crashing against the rocks below. They travelled past Ballabeg, crossing over the tramline with its wooden station. As they passed through Laxey, Kelly pointed out the enormous wheel that turned slowly against the landscape.
‘Cool,’ Edris said. ‘Can you climb to the top?’
‘Yeah, if you’ve a head for heights,’ Kelly said.
* * *
As they drove into Ramsey, the sea came into view again and Kelly took a left hand turn so that they were driving alongside the sea wall. He pulled the car up and pointed out of the window.
‘That’s the cottage. I’ll wait here, no point in us all going in.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ Meadows climbed out of the car.
‘Nice location,’ Edris said. ‘Imagine coming out of your garden gate, down the steps and onto the beach. Great in the summer.’
‘Probably freezing in the winter.’
Meadows stepped through the gate and passed a palm tree that swayed in the wind. There was no answer when they rang the doorbell but voices could be heard coming from the back of the house. They took the side path which led to a large lawn. Towards the back Leanne, dressed in a long skirt and leather boots, was pushing two children strapped in a set of swings. The children squealed in delight as they swung back and forth.
‘Leanne,’ Meadows called out as he approached.
Leanne turned and froze. She took a few moments to compose herself then gave them a forced smile.
‘You took me by surprise, have you come to tell me you found her?’
Meadows tried to look at the faces of the children but Leanne obscured his view. ‘Perhaps we could go inside.’
‘Erm, okay, let me just get these little rascals out.’
She unstrapped each child and took their hands leading them past Meadows. One child was dressed in a green coat with blue wellington boots, the other in a blue coat with ankle boots. Both wore woolly hats.
They both looked like boys. Meadows followed Leanne towards the house. Judging by Leanne’s nervous demeanour I think one is definitely Ella, just need a closer look.
‘I wanted to stay longer,’ Leanne said. ‘But it’s difficult. I have Eli to look after and Nia thought it best I come home.’
‘Which one is your son?’ Meadows asked.
‘This is Eli.’ She touched the head of the taller child. ‘The other little fellow is Cory, I look after him for a friend when she’s working.’
Leanne opened the door and the children ran inside. The house was warm and the kitchen spotless. Both children were pink in the cheeks from the cold sea air. They sat on the floor and pulled off their shoes, then their woollen hats. Meadows smiled down at the children. Eli with his dark brown hair smiled back. The other child stared at Meadows as if not sure whether to smile or hide. The child’s face was the same as the one he had stared at on the incident board all week, although her hair had been cut short and dyed.
‘Can I offer you a drink?’ Leanne asked.
Meadows knelt so he was level with the child. ‘Hello Ella.’
Leanne stiffened. ‘That’s Cory. I guess he has the same large blue eyes as Ella.’
Meadows stood. ‘Do I really need to ask for an examination of the child? Why put her through that and waste both our time.’
‘Please, don’t do this,�
� Leanne said. ‘She’s safe here.’
‘Even if that was the case, you can’t take the law into your own hands. You abducted a child from her home and sparked a major search operation.’
‘You call that a home?’ Leanne’s voice rose and the children stared at her.
‘Perhaps we should sit down,’ Meadows suggested. ‘Edris will make the tea.’
Leanne nodded. ‘Come on, you two, let’s go and play in the sitting room.’
Meadows followed Leanne into the light and spacious room. Wall to floor windows gave a view over the sea and the theme continued on the walls with oil paintings of tall ships. In the corner of the room a brightly coloured mini table and chair set was placed next to various toys. Leanne settled the children then took a seat, indicating that Meadows should do the same.
‘I’m not a criminal,’ Leanne said as she smoothed down her skirt. ‘I understand that I have wasted police time, but I didn’t have a choice. How many times have you seen reports on the news of neglected children, children beaten, starved, or killed at the hands of their parents or the mother’s boyfriend? The question is always asked. Why didn’t anyone report it, do something to stop it? It’s too late when the child is dead. Asking questions won’t bring the child back. Now put yourself in my shoes. Would you wait until it was too late, then shout accusations, attribute blame while all the while knowing you could’ve done something to stop it? Well, I would rather take what punishment comes than be mourning the death of my niece.’
When you put it that way it makes perfect sense.
Meadows studied Leanne. She seems bright, has a nice home and family. Why would she risk all this? She must really believe that Ella’s life was at risk.
‘But you did act, you reported Natalie to social services. They are fully aware of the situation. You could’ve spoken to them again or even the police. We have a dedicated child protection unit.’
Suffer the Children Page 23