by El Edwards
“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.
“If I tell you, you’re not allowed to say ‘I told you so’, okay?”
He held up two fingers. “Scouts honour.”
“I found him in Barnstaple.”
“You did? Well that’s great!” He looked at my face. “Isn’t it?”
I shook my head. “He was long gone by the time I got there. But I have people keeping a look out for him.”
“People?”
“An old lady who lives next door to the sofa he bunked on for a bit and a bloke who cleans the floors in Bridgend services.”
I looked at him, daring him to laugh. He managed admirably for about ten seconds but then we both started giggling. Laughing fit over, I got the lasagne out of the oven and we sat opposite each other eating in silence. It was as I was about to clear the plates away that Rob slid a folded piece of paper across the table to me.
“What’s this?”
“An address”
“Why are you giving it to me?”
“I thought you might like to go on a little road trip.”
“Today? You and me?”
He nodded, looking smug. I hated it when he looked smug and he knew it.
“Who lives here?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
“Seriously?” I hated surprises even more than I hated Rob looking smug. “Come on Rob, just tell me.” I knew I was whining but I couldn’t help it.
He shook his head and instead started taking our plates through to the kitchen. “Would you like a hand with the washing up first? I wouldn’t like to be accused of not pulling my weight.”
Thinking that maybe I could force him to tell me while we did the dishes I agreed. He threw me a tea towel. “You can dry.”
I watched as he filled the sink with soapy water and put all the plates and cutlery in to soak. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I had a dishwasher. Besides, doing the dishes as infrequently as I did, it was something of a novelty and I enjoyed watching him work. He washed the plates in silence and was about to start on the lasagne dish when he turned to face me.
“Toby’s parents,” he said.
I looked at the piece of paper he’d given me that was now lying on the kitchen counter. When I’d asked Abigail about Toby’s family she’d changed the subject and there’d been nothing about them on the forms either. If Rob had really secured me an address for them this was huge. I felt a fizzle of excitement in my tummy and wished we’d left to visit them the moment he’d shown me the address.
“No way?!?”
He nodded, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “Am I brilliant or what?”
“But how?”
“It was in his file. I thought Abigail might have given it to you but, in case not, bingo!”
“Are you allowed to give me this? Officially I mean.”
“Officially, not exactly, but it’s nothing you couldn’t have found out for yourself with a bit of digging. I just saved you some time.”
“Have any of your lot visited them yet?”
“Nope. Low risk remember.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“I know you think we’re taking the piss but honestly Charlie, if you had any idea how much stuff lands on my desk. We simply haven’t got time for this.”
“You seem to have plenty of time to eat.”
“Give me a break, it’s my day off. And that’s why I’m coming with you. Not in an official capacity, but it might help loosen their tongues a little.”
I gave him a smile. “Thanks Rob.” I hesitated, barely able to contain my excitement. If I’d been on my own I’d be jumping up and down for joy by now. “Shall we go?”
“Come on then. But I’m driving.”
TWENTY-FIVE
For the second time in less than twenty-four hours I found myself heading along the motorway, this time towards Cardiff. The address Rob had for Toby’s parents was in Caerphilly, a small town I knew nothing about. Rob didn’t have sat nav but assured me he knew it well so I sat back and enjoyed being chauffeur driven. Thanks to all his police training, Rob was an excellent driver. He also knew about my tendency towards travel sickness so once we got off the M4 he took the corners gently and we arrived without any dramas.
Toby’s parents lived in a pretty looking semi opposite a school. Between their view of the castle and the huge weeping willow in their front garden, I found myself a little envious. I loved Gloddfa Bont but there was something about the quiet street we found ourselves parked on that was appealing. I took a deep breath as we opened the little gate and walked up their path. It was Saturday afternoon and we were calling uninvited. I just hoped that after coming all this way they’d not decided to pop out for the day. I pushed the doorbell firmly and waited.
Thankfully our luck was in and the front door was soon answered by a tiny lady in slippers. We’d already agreed this would be my conversation to lead so Rob held back as I smiled and introduced us both. She nodded intently as she listened to me explain my role and said she’d of course be happy to help in any way she could.
“Would you like to come in, have a cup of tea?”
“If it’s not too much trouble that would be great, thank you.”
She led us along a hallway into the kitchen where the biggest dog I’d ever seen was sitting fast asleep on a beanbag. The dog opened one eye lazily, looked us over and soon went back to sleep. I tried hard not to laugh as I imagined Toby’s mother being dragged around the streets when it was time for a walk.
“Oh just ignore him. That’s Samson. He’s harmless. Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee please Mrs Rogers.”
“Call me Carol dear. Mrs Rogers makes me sound like my mother in law. Not that she wasn’t lovely. But you know how the in laws can be.”
I smiled and agreed. Drinks made, she carried them into the front room on a little tray and invited us to take a seat. “I’ll just give my husband a shout. I’m sure he’ll want to meet you both.”
We listened as she called up the stairs. There was an exchange of words then Carol appeared again, swiftly followed by a man so tall he had to duck as he walked through the doorway.
“This is Charlie Diamond and Rob, her assistant. Come and sit down. Charlie, this is Saul, Toby’s dad.”
I hid a smile at hearing Rob described as my assistant and he pinched my elbow. “Don’t get used to it,” he said in a whisper.
Tea and coffee distributed, the pair sat together side by side. Her perched on the edge of the seat and him, with his legs crossed. It was like observing a meeting between Mr Tall and Little Miss Tiny.
Mr Tall took the lead. “So how can we help?”
Ah those immortal words, they were like music to my ears. Most meetings started like this, with the other person so keen to help. It was just a shame they didn’t always end as happily. With Toby’s parents though I could see no reason why things couldn’t be plain sailing. It wasn’t like they had anything to hide.
“When did you last see your son? Before his disappearance I mean.”
Saul appeared to consider the question carefully. “I’m not entirely sure. It had been a couple of months. What do you think Carol? Was it Easter that we last saw the boy?”
Carol nodded. “Easter yes, that sounds about right.”
“He came here with Abigail and the children? Or did you go to them?”
“He came here.” Carol hesitated.
“And Abigail and the children?” I prompted.
I saw a look pass between Toby’s parents. “Just him.”
“Any reason why?” When they didn’t say anything I decided to try a different tack. “No-one’s in trouble here. It’s not an interrogation. I just want to get a picture of Toby’s move
ments in the time leading up to …”
“In the time leading up to June,” Rob said.
I smiled at him and nodded. “Are things a little strained between you and your daughter in law, Carol?”
She gave the briefest of nods. Saul looked at her and put his hand on hers.
“I think it would be fair to say that we don’t have the easiest of relationships with Abigail.” Saul smiled at his wife. “But we love our son and have to respect their choices.”
“Choices?”
“Oh lots of things. We had hoped that when they had children it would make things easier but she moved them all even further away.”
“Abigail told me the move from Cardiff was Toby’s idea.”
Carol made a sound like a wounded animal.
“I’m sorry Mrs Rogers, Carol, I can tell this isn’t easy for you.” I smiled at her. “Are you telling me Toby didn’t want to move?”
“Toby didn’t know what he wanted. She had him wrapped round her little finger. She only had to say the word and they were packed and gone. Little tramp!”
“Shhh, come on Carol.” Saul patted her hand but she brushed it away.
“No Saul, I won’t have it! She can’t go around making up stories like that. It’s just not fair!”
She was shaking as she spoke and for the first time I saw just how impressive this tiny framed woman really was. Having exposed the wound I wanted to dig in and get to the root of the hostility but I knew what would happen if I pushed her too quickly. I caught Saul’s eye and smiled.
He didn’t return my smile. “If you don’t mind, I think’s enough for today,” Saul said. “As you can see, it’s upsetting my wife. I’ll show you out.”
I stood up. “Would it be okay if I left you my card?”
When we got back to the car Rob looked at me, eyebrows raised. “So what do you make of all that?”
TWENTY-SIX
Rob and I travelled in silence along the motorway towards home. For all my cynicism, I’d really wanted to believe in Abigail’s version of happily ever after. She’d been nothing but kind and lovely every time I’d met her and I was having a hard time with this new version of Abigail. I was also beginning to have my doubts about the legitimacy of her kidnapping theory although I wasn’t about to say that out loud to Mr Smug in the driver’s seat. What I really needed to do now was map out all the pieces I knew for sure. If I was at home I’d have gone to my white board and covered it with sticky notes. As it was I had to content myself with making notes on my phone and feeling a little travel sick as a result.
“You’ll make yourself sick if you keep doing that,” said Rob.
Why did he have to know me so well? I made a huffy display of putting my phone back in my coat pocket then fixed my eyes on the road in front. When I couldn’t take the silence any longer I decided to make small talk.
“So what plans have you got for the rest of the weekend?”
“Not a lot. You?”
“Dunno.” Nice one Charlie, that went well, not.
“Have you seen the new layout at junction forty-seven?” Rob asked, desperately grasping at any random topic of conversation to avoid an awkward silence. I decided to play along.
“Junction forty-seven? Are you sure?”
“Oh absolutely. I heard they had to lay a whole new network of piping.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting.” About as interesting as watching my toenails dry but it was better than talking about Abigail and having to admit my doubts.
We sat in silence for another four miles but eventually Rob cracked. “Okay, that’s it, I give up. What are you thinking?”
“Me? Not a lot. I was just thinking it will be nice to get home.”
“Rubbish! Come on Charlie, out with it. I know you can’t possibly have sat through that character assignation of your client and not have an opinion on the matter.”
I let out my breath in a rush and laughed. “You might as well get it over with.”
“Get what over with?”
“Say ‘I told you so’ and then insist I buy you lunch.”
“Was going to say no such thing.”
“Really?”
Rob nodded.
“So what then?” Sometimes he really was full of surprises.
“I just thought how sad it was that two people could get so bitter and twisted they’d do anything to make life rotten for someone else.”
“You don’t believe them?”
“Not a bit of it. Why, did you?” He sounded surprised.
“I thought it was possible. I mean, can anyone really be that sweet and lovely? Everyone’s got a dark side. Maybe we just found Abigail’s?”
“You might be right.” He shrugged and kept his eyes on the road but I could feel him choosing his words carefully. “I dunno. I’ve never met the woman so it’s hard for me to say. But from everything you’ve told me, she doesn’t sound like a bunny boiler.”
“So now what?”
“I can’t answer that. It’s your case.”
“But what would you do?”
Rob didn’t say anything.
“Would you ask her about it? Tell her you’d seen them?”
He shrugged again. “Maybe. I mean, it can’t hurt can it? What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Let me think. Well, if she actually is responsible for Toby’s disappearance, what’s to stop her waiting until we’ve left and driving all the way to Caerphilly and disappearing the in-laws?”
It was Rob’s turn to laugh. “You’ve been watching too much Midsomer Murders.”
“I’m just saying we have to be careful.”
“We don’t have to do anything. This is your case. I just came along for the ride today, an innocent bystander.” He pulled up outside my house as he spoke. “Speaking of which, home sweet home. Do you want me to come in?”
“Lasagne’s all gone.”
“I know. I just wondered if you wanted some company?”
“I’ll be okay. I just need to decide what I’m going to do next and, as you so rightly pointed out, this is my case and I’m the only one who can do that.” I patted my hand on my coat pocket to check I still had my phone and keys. “Thanks for today Rob. I’ll speak to you soon.”
With one last glance back at Rob in the car I headed into my house and, after opening it with a shove, made a display of fussing Missy who was dancing around in circles to get my attention. I waited until Rob had pulled away and then closed the door with another shove. No place like home, I thought. Although I wouldn’t say no to a night away in a five star hotel, breakfast in bed and someone else to do the cleaning.
After letting Missy out to do her business I rooted around in my desk drawer for my multi-coloured board markers and sticky notes. After searching every drawer in my desk I eventually found one solitary blue marker at the bottom of the very last drawer I looked in but there wasn’t a sticky note in sight. Typical! Determined not to be thwarted by a lack of stationery, I sat in front of my white board and started writing. I began with Abigail in the very centre and worked my way out from there. Just as I was coming to the conclusion that my only avenue left was to talk to Abigail about Toby’s parent’s allegations, my mobile burst into life. It was a number I didn’t recognise.
“Hello, Charlie Diamond speaking.”
“Is that Charlotte?” The voice was that of an elderly lady and I immediately recognised it as the old lady from Barnstaple, leader of my OAP SWAT team.
I cursed myself for not having taken her name. “That’s me. How are you? Lovely to hear from you.”
“I’m very well love, thanks for asking. That’s not why I’m ringing though.”
“Oh?”
“It’s Ryan, the lad next door?”
“I remember.”
“Well he’s gone and gotten himself beaten up real bad.”
“Oh no! Is he okay?”
“I should think so. But I thought I should ring you. He said it was that young man of yours
that done it.”
“Toby? Is he sure?”
“He said so but I don’t know. He’s not the most reliable. Did I do the wrong thing in calling?”
“Not at all. I really appreciate it. If you see him again can you tell him I’ll be coming back to Barnstaple as soon as possible? Early next week.” I crossed my fingers and hoped I could make it so. If Ryan really had seen Toby, I needed to make that trip soonest. Questioning Abigail would have to wait, for now at least.
TWENTY-SEVEN
After a restless night’s sleep, Sunday was spent sorting through paperwork and organising my trip. I knew the girls wouldn’t be home until later that evening so I had another empty day to fill but this time I spent it worrying about how I was going to persuade them that leaving them alone again for two nights wasn’t abandonment. It wasn’t really them I was worried about. At sixteen they were perfectly capable of keeping each other out of mischief for a couple of days, especially during term time when there was the routine of school to keep them entertained. No, what I was really anxious about was telling Jonathan, not that it was really any of his business, but I felt compelled to mention it and I was afraid he might suggest they stay with him for even longer. The last thing I wanted was that bitch Tricia getting her claws into my precious babies and turning them into clones of her.
I knew what they’d say if I voiced these worries out loud. Louise would remind me that she’s allergic to scented beauty products and thus the chances of her wearing Tricia’s slap were less than zero and Grace would tell me to stop being such a bloody idiot. Taking the latter advice to heart, with the paperwork neatly filed, I decided it was time to get dressed and face the outside world. Missy needed a walk and the fresh air would do me good.
Half an hour later and I was walking down the hill towards the centre of the village, Missy happily running ahead of me on her extendable lead. She paused every now and then to make her mark on some poor unsuspecting wall or lamp post but otherwise the walk was brisk. As I walked I thought about the events of the last few days. Getting all the pieces laid out on the white board had helped but I was still struggling to imagine Toby attacking someone, least of all the one person who’d put a roof over his head. It made no sense at all and I was itching to get over there to find out if it was really him.