Abigail

by El Edwards

  “You alright there love?”

  I growled inwardly. What was it about men in packs that meant they had to revert to caveman-like behaviour? Now was not the time to help them learn the finer points of speaking to women, I needed to win them over so they’d be more inclined to help me, so I plastered a smile on my face.

  I looked down at my list. “I’m looking for Andrew Jones, Mike Lemming and …” I consulted the list again. “Peter Faraday.”

  “Woohoo boys, it’s my lucky day!” One of the men nudged the guy next to him then raised his hand. “Mike Lemming.”

  He walked towards me, grinning from ear to ear. When he reached my side he lowered his voice. “What’s all this about then?”

  “Is there somewhere we can go to chat?” I glanced over his shoulder at the men still watching us. “It’s about Toby Rogers.”

  “Shit yeah.” He called over to the other men. “Find Andy and Pete, okay? It’s about Toby.”

  Clearly everyone on site knew about Toby’s disappearance and judging by Mike’s reaction, were keen to do anything they could to help find him. That bode well for my enquires but I had my doubts about how involved in any work related debts they might be. Unlike Bill, Mike looked the picture of openness. I followed Mike to a van where he opened the door and offered me the passenger seat.

  “In here okay for you?”

  “Sure.” I climbed in. “Look Mike, I’ll cut to the chase. I’ve been hired by Toby’s wife to find him and I need your help.” I handed him my card.

  He took the card and read it. “Charlie Diamond. Plumber.”

  “Oops, sorry, wrong card.” I snatched it from him and handed him my other card.

  “You’re a plumber? And a private investigator? How’d you get into that?”

  “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.” I smiled and gave him a wink. “So listen, how much do you know about Toby?”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “At this stage, anything. I’m trying to get a picture of his movements in the lead up to his disappearance. Did you ever see him with people you didn’t recognise? Anything unusual about his behaviour?”

  “Hard to say. He was always a bit odd. Too clever, you know? Like he had stuff in his head too big to share with the rest of us little people.”

  “Sounds like a right charmer.” I laughed.

  “He was nice enough with it though. Just, kinda private. Sorry, I’m not being much help am I. Maybe you’d be better off talking to Mr Winkleman. He knew him better than us.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Just the way they were together. Always having a laugh. Probably cos of the car share.”

  “Car share?”

  “Oh yeah, they’d always ride into work together. The days Toby was here at least. I guess you get to know a person if you spend time together like that.”

  Somewhere in the recesses of my mind an alarm sounded. Bill definitely hadn’t mentioned anything about a car share which was odd, under the circumstances. Curiouser and curiouser.

  TWENTY-TWO

  After listening to Mike tell me more about how little he’d known Toby, I thanked him for his time and invited him to keep my card in case he thought of anything else I needed to know. We were about to get out of the van when a man knocked on Mike’s window.

  “What’s up? You find Pete and Andy?”

  The man shook his head. “That’s what I came over to tell you. They didn’t come in this morning.”

  “Did they phone in sick?”

  “Nope. Just got a message that they haven’t come in.”

  “Right. Thanks mate.” Mike turned to me. “I guess you’re out of luck.”

  “Does this happen a lot? People not turning up?”

  Mike shrugged. “Sometimes. This time of year there’s a lot of it about.”

  “Could you give me a ring when they get back to work? I’ll come out and see them.”

  “Of course. Sorry you’ve had a wasted trip today though.”

  I gave Mike my most reassuring smile. “It’s not been a waste at all. You’ve been very helpful.” I offered him my hand and then climbed out of the van.

  On my way back to my van I decided to say goodbye to Bill so I poked my head round the side of his office door without knocking.

  “I’m off now Bill.”

  He got up from behind his desk when he saw me and offered me his hand. “Thanks for coming Charlie. Did you get everything you needed?”

  “It was a start. I’ll be back soon though. Still got a few of the lads to talk to.” I turned and started walking towards the door but then paused and turned back to Bill. “Actually, one more question Bill. Whose car did you and Toby ride to work in? Yours or his?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “I don’t know yet. But it might.”

  “His. Why?”

  “Dunno. You just didn’t mention it and I wondered if there was a reason why?”

  “I guess it slipped my mind.”

  “Okay. Thanks Bill.” I left without saying anything else.

  When I got back to the van I could see an outline standing at the window of Bill’s office and I shivered. For someone who’d seemed so happy to help, he’d gone cold remarkably quickly. Abigail’s father had him pegged as a nice guy but I was beginning to have my doubts. I sat in the van for a few minutes making notes. On something of a whim I typed Bill’s name into Google and his face soon smiled out at me from the screen on my phone. I scrolled through the results and found his Facebook profile. His public information was limited to a couple of posts about awards his building company had been nominated for and a dull photo of him and a lady who I presumed was his wife, standing in front of a beautiful sunset, cocktail glasses in hand. There was little I loathed more than mundane holiday photos but now I knew Bill and Toby travelled together, I decided his photo could be useful so I saved a copy. For what I was planning next, Bill’s photo might be just what I needed.

  I pulled into the first service station I passed on the M4 and went into the main building. The place was surprisingly quiet for mid-afternoon on a Wednesday and it didn’t take long to spot a member of staff wandering around picking up litter. I watched him work from a distance and noticed that, unlike most of his colleagues tied up with serving customers, this gentleman had the freedom to watch the world go by, safe from behind his litter cart. He’d stop every now and then to use the long-handled brush to sweep at an invisible mark on the floor. It might not be the most prestigious job in the world but when it came to relaxed occupations, there couldn’t be many less stressful than his. After observing him for a few moments I decided that if anyone was to have noticed Toby or Bill, it would be this man. The very next time he paused to sweep I approached him.

  “Excuse me sir, could I have a word?”

  The man looked behind him. “With me?”

  I nodded. “If you don’t mind?” I took one of my cards out of my bag and showed it to him. “Charlie Diamond, private investigator.”

  “Am I in trouble? If it’s about last week, it was a misunderstanding.”

  “I don’t know anything about that. I just wondered if you’d seen this man?” I showed him Toby’s photo. “He might look a little older, changed his hair colour possibly.”

  “Don’t think so. When was he here?”

  “I’m not entirely sure. Could have been any time in the last year or so.”

  The man chuckled. “That narrows it down then.”

  I showed him the photo of Bill Winkleman on my phone. “How about this man? The two men might have been travelling together.”

  “What’s all this about?”

  “The younger guy’s missing. I’m trying to find him.”

  “And this one?” He gestured to my phone.

  “They used to car share.”

  “And you’re worried he might have done him in?”

  “Nothing like that. I’m just trying to build a picture of his movements. Dail
y habits. Places he was known to frequent.”

  “Sorry love, can’t help you. Do you know how many service stations there are along the M4?”

  I shook my head.

  “Eleven. And that’s not counting the ones on the minor roads that lead off from here. Where’d you say your mystery man was travelling to?”

  “Mostly between here and the west.”

  “Ah, well that narrows it down considerably. There’s only two service stations west of here. Swansea and Pont Abraham. They’re both pretty small too so you might have a chance. Tell you what, have you got a photo you can leave with me? I can keep my eyes open and let you know if I see them.”

  “Would you? That would be brilliant! Thanks!” The only photo I had of Bill was the one on my phone but thankfully my new friend had a smartphone so I sent it to him in a message. “Keep my card. And ring me any time. Sorry, what’s your name?”

  “Jack. Jack Willis.” He doffed an imaginary cap at me.

  “Good to meet you Jack Willis.”

  I left the service station with a bubble of excitement in my tummy. I couldn’t possibly be everywhere at once but thanks to my ever expanding network, I was starting to believe that when Toby showed up, I’d have ears and eyes in the right place to spot him. I ignored the voice in my head reminding me it was if, not when. I had to stay positive. Anything else was not an option.

  TWENTY-THREE

  An hour later and I was back in Gloddfa Bont. My visits to the final two service stations hadn’t been as eventful as meeting Jack but I felt content that I’d at least made a start in scoping them out. The rest of my evening didn’t stand a chance of going even half as smoothly. Dinner with my mother was always eventful, but for all the wrong reasons. My only comfort was that this time I didn’t have to go on my own. My mum adored both the girls so having them there would be sure to ease things a little. As I walked towards the house I crossed my fingers that they’d be changed out of their school uniforms and ready to go. My mother had it in her head that I was always late and I didn’t want to give her any ammunition.

  I shoved the front door and sniffed the air. “Hello?” I paused but no reply came. “Why can I smell burnt toast?” I walked into the kitchen, expecting to find crumbs over the counter tops but the place was spotless. “Grace? Lou?”

  It was as I was about to go upstairs to find them that I spotted the piece of paper on the hall table and my heart sank. Hi Mum. Hope you’ve had a good day. Got a huge assignment so gone to the library. Tell Gran sorry. Love L + G xxx

  I read it again, more slowly this time, half expecting the two of them to jump out from behind the curtain and yell ‘surprise!’ but no matter how many times I read it, I still found myself standing all alone in the middle of our hallway. You have got to be kidding me?!? I’d told Grace she couldn’t get out of it, made it perfectly clear that we were in this together, so how had the little rotter managed to pull a stunt like this? I was tempted to drive to the library and drag the pair of them over to my mother’s house but I knew there was a good chance they weren’t even there and I didn’t have the energy to argue with them about the perils of lying to their mother, especially not with my own mother in earshot. A lone watch beeped to remind me it was the top of the hour. Fabulous! Now, not only did I have to face my mother alone, I was going to be late. I sighed and went upstairs to change into something smarter. I was already late so what difference would another ten minutes make?

  Twenty minutes later I found myself performing a parallel park outside my mother’s house. I looked around to see if anyone had witnessed my skill but alas, the only living being in view was a stray cat. I tried to stroke him and chose not to take it as a sign when he snarled at me. When I could put it off no longer, I rang the door bell and waited.

  “What time do you call this?” My mother answered the door looking even more harried that usual.

  I had a sudden flashback to my reaction when Rob was late the other week and involuntarily shuddered.

  I walked in and kissed her on both cheeks. “Sorry Mum, traffic was a nightmare.”

  She peered behind me up the path. “Where are the girls?”

  “Change of plan I’m afraid. It’s just me. They had a project to do, thrust on them at the last minute, so they’ve gone to the library.”

  “They’re not coming?”

  “Nope.”

  “What, not at all?”

  “‘Fraid not.”

  “Oh. That’s too bad. I made their favourite: mashed potatoes and gravy.”

  “Oh mum!” I couldn’t help but laugh. “That hasn’t been their favourite for at least the last ten years.”

  “Can’t beat mashed potatoes and gravy. And guess what I made for afters?”

  “Dunno. Surprise me.”

  “Rice pudding.” She beamed. “With the skin on.”

  I swear that when she said that I vomited a little in my mouth. “That’s nice Mum.”

  “No need to take that tone Charlotte. Nobody said you had to eat it. I simply wanted to prepare them something wholesome and tasty for a change.”

  Ignoring the dig at my cooking, I changed the subject. “So what’ve you been up to today then?”

  “Funny you should ask. I met one of your clients today.”

  “Oh?”

  “I must say, I don’t know how you’re still in business, the way you operate.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Only, the girl who did my hair said that her friend Tina has a friend called Sara who knows your client. Is it true you told her to stick her finger in the hose and wiggle it?”

  I laughed so hard I nearly choked. I didn’t trust myself to speak so instead I simply nodded, my eyes wet with tears.

  “But why Charlotte? Why can’t you get a job?”

  “I have a job. Actually, I have two.”

  “A proper job. Not some hare-brained hobby that sees you chasing across the country after random people.”

  I wanted to ask her how much she thought my hare-brained hobby paid each month but I didn’t. Instead I sat there and took it, like the spineless fool I am. I might be brilliant at making other people squirm but when it came to my mum, I was a total pushover. Once upon a time, pre-divorce, I might have been tempted to offer a rebuttal but ever since my marriage failed it was like I’d lost all ability to play the grown-up card. Instead we coexisted, my mother and I, playing at happy families but never quite knowing if the act was working.

  We spent the rest of the evening making small talk with her trying to wheedle information out of me about my latest case and me doing my damnedest to avoid telling her anything that I didn’t want spread all the way to Whitland and back. Just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any worse she delivered a low blow.

  “How’s that nice young police officer friend of yours? I don’t remember his name. Bob? Roy?”

  “It’s Rob mum, as you well know.” I sighed.

  “I like him Charlotte. You should give him a call, invite him round.”

  Rob was overdue an update on my case and the only thing worse than my mother reminding me of that fact was my mother encouraging me to bring him round for tea. The sky would have to fall down before I let my mother anywhere near Rob but I knew that if I didn’t say something, she’d never shut up about it.

  “Okay ma. I’ll call him in the morning.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  “Good girl. Now how about a nice big bowl of rice pudding?”

  I groaned inwardly and said a prayer on my stomach’s behalf. I was beginning to wish that I was the one with the enormous assignment to research. Anything had to be better than rice pudding!

  TWENTY-FOUR

  The next few days passed in something of a blur. I had a couple of emergency plumbing jobs come in so between them and the thorough telling off and subsequent grounding of my daughters, Saturday rolled round and I still hadn’t kept my word to my mother. Not that s
he knew that of course. I had no intention of advertising the fact that I was completely incapable of keeping my promises. She already thought I was inadequate. By mid-morning Saturday though, not only was I feeling a little bit guilty, I was also totally bored. For the second weekend in a row, Jonathan had taken the girls out and this time they were staying with him and Tricia overnight. He told them he’d decorated a room especially for them and after that they were like putty in his hands.

  “You sure you don’t mind Mum?” Louise had asked, worry lines etched on her face. “Will you be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ve got loads of work to catch up on anyway. Would have been really dull for you here. You go, enjoy yourselves.”

  “Thanks Mum!” And so with shrieks of excitement and a flurry of air kisses, they’d leapt into Jonathan’s car leaving me with a whole thirty-six hours to kill. And that’s when I’d remembered my promise and sent Rob a quick text inviting him over for lunch. Never one to say no to free food, he’d quickly accepted and so it was that I found myself sitting at my dinning room table opposite Rob’s hulking form.

  “Have you grown again?”

  “Don’t be daft. I stopped growing years ago.” He looked at me like he thought I might be crazy.

  “I swear you look bigger than the last time I saw you.”

  “Weirdo.”

  “Idiot.”

  When we were done trading insults I checked the food in the oven and was relieved to find that not only had I not burned it, the lasagne was actually looking quite delicious. I turned the dish round in the oven and while we waited for it to finish cooking, asked Rob about his week.

  “What you really mean is, have I heard any news about the Toby Rogers case?” He smiled at me. “You’re so transparent Charlie.”

  “Am not. But seeing as we’re on the subject, what’s news?”

  “No.”

  “No news, or no you won’t tell me?”

  “No news.”

  I sighed.

  “How about you? I take it you’ve been busy?” He picked a piece of cucumber out of the salad, crunched it between his teeth and waited.