by El Edwards
“He’s just a line of enquiry I’m following up.” I turned to the other boys who were standing around now listening to our conversation. “What about you guys?”
My phone was passed between them but the answer remained the same. No-one on site had ever seen anyone who looked like Ryan. Despite expecting as much I was still disappointed. There had to be some connection between Ryan and Toby, I just needed to keep looking.
I turned back to Mike. “One more thing Mike. Is Mr Winkleman around today? I was hoping he might take a look too.”
“Sorry Charlie, he’s not been in all week.”
“That’s a shame. Do you know where I might find him? Home address? A second office?”
Another negative. Luckily for me I knew just the place to look for him but I wasn’t about to tell them that. After thanking Mike and the rest of the boys for their help I went back to the car.
“No luck?” Rob asked when he saw my face.
“Nothing.”
“Where to next?”
I gave him directions for Bill’s house as we went, thankful that I’d had the foresight to track the journey on my phone the last time I’d driven these roads, and it wasn’t long before we were back outside Bill’s house.
“It’s the one on the right there,” I said, pointing out the house to Rob. “But keep going. I want to see if we can spot anyone at home.”
We drove slowly past Bill’s house and I spotted a car on the drive.
“Turn around up here and then go back and park across his drive. We don’t want him making a run for it.”
Blockade in place, I walked up to the front door and rang the bell while Rob went round the side to check for a rear exit. He was soon back at my side. “Unless your man can jump ten foot walls, this is the only way out.”
Satisfied that we’d covered all bases I tried the door again and this time the door opened a small way to form a gap. A lady peeked out at us through the tiny gap.
“Can I help you?”
“Hi there. We’d like to speak to Mr Winkleman.”
“I’m afraid Mr Winkleman’s not home right now. Can I take a message.”
“That’s such a shame. We’re from the lottery. The local post office contacted us because one of their regular players matched six numbers on the draw last month. It’s taken us until now to track him down but we believe Mr Winkleman has won the lottery.”
The lady’s eyes widened. “He has. How much?”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to divulge that sort of information. Unless …”
“Yes?”
“I don’t suppose you’re related to Mr Winkleman?”
“I’m his wife.”
“You are? Well that’s wonderful! In that case we’d be happy to explain all the details to you. May we come in? There’s an awful lot of paperwork and I’d hate for any of it to get blown away.” I gave Mrs Winkleman my sweetest smile.
“Of course, come in. My husband should be home any time now. He’ll be so pleased!” That I doubted very much but I kept my thoughts to myself.
“After you,” Rob said, rolling his eyes at me. As I walked past him he leaned in and hissed in my ear. “I can’t believe you just did that. You’re going to get me sacked!”
“Thank you!” I smiled at him and blew him a kiss before turning my attention back to Mrs Winkleman. “If it’s not too much trouble Mrs Winkleman, I’d love a cup of coffee before we get started on all this. It’s such thirsty work and we’ve come a long way.”
I watched as Mrs Winkleman made a display of boiling the kettle. I felt slightly guilty when I realised just how excited she was about her husband’s win. She opened a packet of digestive biscuits and put them on a plate with a paper doily. It was ever so fancy but I resisted the urge to say so. Finally, when everything was deemed fit for our consumption, she led us to the dining room table.
“Here will be so much easier for you to sort through all your paperwork.”
“Thank you Mrs Winkleman, that’s ever so kind of you.”
“My pleasure. Shall I pour?” She gestured to the tray. “Was it tea or coffee that you fancied?”
“Coffee please.”
We’d just finished our first cup and I was about to ask for another when I heard the front door bang open and a voice shout out.
“What the fuck’s that fucking faggot of a car doing across my fucking drive?”
Mrs Winkleman’s face flushed with colour. “That will be my husband.” She called out to him. “In here dear. We’ve got visitors.”
I heard footsteps then Bill Winkleman appeared. He took one look at me and his face turned as red as a beetroot. “Charlie Diamond! What the fuck do you want?!?”
FIFTY-FIVE
“Really William, that’s no way to speak to a lady!” Mrs Winkleman turned to me. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s come over him.”
Bill raised his hand and pointed at me. “That’s no lady. That’s Charlie Diamond, the biggest pain in the arse this side of the River Severn!”
I smiled. “Thanks Bill. I must add that to my website.” I turned to Rob. “I’m not sure if you two have met. This is Bill Winkleman, director of Winklemans, amongst other things. Bill, this is Rob Morgan, one of South Wales’s finest police detectives.”
Rob stood up and offered Bill his hand. “Delighted to meet you sir.”
“A detective?” Mrs Winkleman sounded scandalised. “They told me they were from the lottery.”
“And you believed them?”
Mrs Winkleman shrugged helplessly.
“I don’t even buy a ticket you stupid woman!”
“That really isn’t any way to speak to your wife Bill. She’s been making us very comfortable. A fine hostess.” I smiled at Mrs Winkleman.
“Cut the crap Charlie. Why are you here?”
“We’ve found Toby. He’ll be home this weekend.”
“Really? That’s incredible! Where did you find him?”
“Never mind that. I know about his directorship of Winkman and Sons. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
“I rather hoped you wouldn’t.”
“What I don’t understand is how Toby got himself into this mess in the first place. Abigail’s father told me that he was responsible for Toby’s job with you. How did he get mixed up in all the insolvency nonsense?”
Bill sat down at the table with a sigh. “You really do know about all of that?”
I nodded. “Told you I was good.”
“And he’s on his way back?”
“Home in time for Christmas.” I decided not to mention the slight detail around Ryan’s involvement for now. If Bill had anything to do with that, he was an amazing actor.
“Pour me a cup of tea would you Marie. This could take a while.”
Rob and I sat in silence as Bill laid out all the details of Toby’s financial involvement with Winkman & Sons. From an expensive office in Cardiff to the slightly suspect contracts at service stations up and down the M4, it quickly became clear that Toby Rogers had his greedy little fingers in a lot of pies. What Bill couldn’t explain was how Toby had ended up getting himself kidnapped.
“Kidnapped? Don’t be ridiculous! He hasn’t been kidnapped. He ran away because he couldn’t keep up with his bills. Had that silly little life insurance policy that he said would make sure Abigail and the children were taken care of. Except he even messed that up, didn’t check the small print. Kidnapped! Honestly, the things you dream up.”
I turned to Rob. “Can I borrow your phone?”
I scrolled through the voice memo to the final fifteen seconds of audio, turned the volume up, and pressed play. Ryan’s voice blared out at us.
“Do me a favour and stop lying Charlie Diamond. I know it’s you and you can tell your friend Abigail that if she doesn’t get her pretty little arse to Barnstaple woods with my money by one o’clock on Saturday afternoon, I’m going to start chopping pieces off her precious husband. Let’s see how keen she is
to have him home in time for Christmas then eh?”
I stopped the recording and looked at Bill. His face had gone white. “Who was that?” he asked.
“I was rather hoping you could tell me. His name’s Ryan Taylor.” I took my phone out of my pocket and showed him Ryan’s photo. “Do you recognise him?”
“Never seen him before in my life.” He looked from me to Rob. “I swear! If I knew anything I’d tell you.”
“It’s okay Bill, I believe you. It does leave us in a bit of a tight spot though. You say Toby left of his own free will but we only have your word for that.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to start by telling the truth Bill. Abigail trusted you. Her father called you a nice chap. How do you think it’s going to look when they find out that you’ve known all along about the reasons for Toby’s disappearance. The police might be very interested to hear about your involvement.”
“You can’t tell them. It would ruin me. Please Charlie, I’m begging you.”
“I dunno Bill.” I turned to Rob. “What do you think detective? Is there anything we can do here? We have to be sure to follow correct procedure.”
Rob smiled. “There may be one way this could all be settled.” He leaned towards me and we spoke in whispered tones.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked.
“Just keep playing along and I’ll explain everything back in the car.”
Rob turned back to face Bill. “I think Charlie and I are in agreement. I’ll leave it to her outline the specifics.”
“Thank you detective. Okay, so here’s the thing Bill … as you’ve already heard, Toby’s wife is expected to make a ransom payment on Saturday. Toby’s parents were going to reportage their house but if I was able to go back to the Rogers family with the financial assistance of an interested third party, I’m sure that would go a long way towards compensating for any emotional distress caused these past six months.”
Rob leaned over and whispered in my ear again. “Don’t forget the bailiffs.”
I smiled. “Thank you detective. Detective Morgan has just reminded me of the other financial matter still outstanding. You might remember I told you Mrs Rogers had been visited by bailiffs recently. That too is a debt that will need payment. If you understand my meaning Bill.”
Bill Winkleman sighed and turned to his wife. “Get me my phone please Marie.” He turned to me. “If you can give me a few minutes, I’ll need to move some funds. Can’t expect a man to have that kind of money sitting around doing nothing. Bank transfer okay for you? I assume you’d be content to look after the money for Abigail. How much?”
Twenty minutes later I squealed with delight as Rob drove us back towards Gloddfa Bont.
“Bloody brilliant!” Rob said. “You were absolutely bloody brilliant! What a star!”
“All in a day’s work detective.” I grinned. “I was pretty amazing though wasn’t I.”
With the ransom payment now quite literally in hand, all that was left to do was arrange the drop-off and safe recovery of Toby. I knew we weren’t in the clear yet and I still had to find out how Ryan fitted into all of this, but that could wait until tomorrow. Right now I was quite content to revel in the joy of a job well done. Long may it continue!
FIFTY-SIX
I woke the following morning still feeling very pleased with myself. It was a bit weird waking up to an empty house though and I would have loved to be able to magically whisk the girls and Missy home so we could enjoy breakfast together. As it was I had to content myself with a phone call. Knowing Louise was terrible at answering her phone, I called Grace, hoping that I wouldn’t wake her. The last thing I needed was an irate teenager.
“Hello?” She sounded slightly bleary but not cross.
“Grace it’s me, your mum.”
“Hi Mum.” She paused. “What time is it?”
“Eight. Sorry, were you sleeping?”
“Eight in the morning? In the school holidays? Are you crazy?”
“Sorry, I just wanted to speak to you. How’s it going there with Dad and Tricia?”
“They’re alright. Few digs about your long hours but we just ignore that.”
“Awww, well done love. And thanks for putting up with them. Won’t be long now and you can come home. Is Missy okay?”
“Yeah she’s fine. Did you want to speak to Louise?”
“Sure.”
I listened as Grace wandered around trying to find her sister. Louise was our early bird. It didn’t surprise me that she wasn’t still in bed. A minute or so later she came on the line.
“Sorry Mum, I was out the back with the dog.”
“She okay? You okay?”
“Relax, we’re both fine. When can we come home?”
I laughed. “That good eh? Hopefully Sunday.”
“But that’s Christmas Eve!”
I looked at the calendar that lay open on my desk and realised I’d totally lost track of Christmas. “So it is. Okay, so you definitely need to come home on Sunday then. Unless you’d prefer Christmas with your dad this year?” Stupid question.
“No way!”
It was with a none too small sense of satisfaction that I listened to Louise bemoan the perils of Christmas at their dad’s house. Tricia was a vegetarian which didn’t help matters but it was more than just the food. Gloddfa Bont was their home and they were ready to come back.
I chatted with Louise for a few more minutes then we said our goodbyes, her promising to be on her best behaviour and me promising to hurry up and finish this case so they could come home, and then I got showered and dressed and ready to face the day. As I dressed I thought about what the next couple of days entailed and butterflies started in my tummy. Whatever happened it was going to be interesting. My only hope now was that I could tidy up the few remaining pieces and do what I’d set out to do in the first place: get Toby home in time for Christmas. First stop, Abigail’s house.
Alexander opened the door to Abigail’s house but this time he didn’t call his mother. Instead he let me in and led me towards the kitchen.
“Charlie’s here,” he said to Abigail, who had her hands in the sink.
She turned and I smiled to see she was wearing pink Marigolds that went all the way up to her elbows. Surrounded by small children and with soap bubbles threatening to escape, she was the picture of domestic harmony. All she needed now was the handsome husband and the picture would be complete.
“Hi Charlie. Sorry, I didn’t expect you so soon. Have a seat.”
She took off her gloves and wiped her hands and I watched as she busied herself with the kettle. Eventually the coffee was made and we sat together at the kitchen table. I took a sip of my coffee and considered where to begin.
When I told her about Toby’s involvement in Bill’s business she looked shocked.
“But I had no idea.” Her forehead creased as she frowned. “Are you sure that’s right? We’ve never had secrets.”
I took my phone out of my bag, logged into the banking app and showed it to her.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a bank transfer, from Bill. He wants to cover the ransom, with enough left over to pay off the bailiffs.”
“That’s brilliant!” She smiled. “But why would he do that?”
“Survivor’s guilt. He feels responsible for Toby’s kidnapping. It was his idea for Toby to be so heavily involved with the company.”
I decided not to tell her about Toby’s real reasons for disappearing. That would be his story to tell and there was nothing to be gained from adding to Abigail’s shock. She’d coped quite well with the news that he had a whole business venture she knew nothing about. I wasn’t sure how she’d take to the news that he’d run away and left her a widow because he was afraid what his parents and in-laws might say. He was a coward and I didn’t have a lot of respect for cowards but if Ryan really was holding him captive somewhere, Toby had got what he deserved. My priority now
was Abigail and the children.
“What do we do now? I mean, what’s literally going to happen next?”
“Well first I need to get to the bank so you can have your money. And then we need to get you to Barnstaple.”
“Don’t think I’ve ever been to Devon.”
She was taking all this far too calmly and I was worried. At some point the shock would kick in and we’d be facing a meltdown. I was keen for us to get going before that happened.
“Who’s going to look after the children for you?”
“They’re not coming with us?”
“I thought it was probably for the best if they didn’t, under the circumstances.”
She nodded absently. “Of course. Let me just phone my mum and see if she can have them then I’ll get packed.”
I watched as she wandered into the hallway to use the phone. She moved so gracefully, it was like watching a swan glide across a lake, but I wanted to kick her up the arse for not having made arrangements for the children already. I was a bag of nerves. I wanted to get the children organised and deposited wherever they were to be left so we could just get on with it. Come on Abigail, we’ve got places to be!
FIFTY-SEVEN
About an hour later my mobile rang. I was still stuck in Abigail’s kitchen waiting for her to finish packing. We’d only be gone two nights but I’d forgotten how much stuff little kids needed. I’d watched from the kitchen as bag after bag had been stacked in the hallway. The phone call was a welcome relief from the monotony.
I glanced at the screen and saw it was Rob. “Good morning Rob!”
“Where are you?”
“Abigail’s house.” I paused. “Why? Where are you?”
“Your house. Shit! Stay there, I’ll be right over.”
He hung up before I could even reply and I returned to watching the in-house entertainment. Every time Abigail put a bag in the hallway, Lucy would wait until her mother was out of sight and then open the bag and start rummaging through it. Every now and then she’d find a toy or item of clothing that belonged to her and she’d take it and put it somewhere out of sight, presumably her bedroom. This little routine continued for about twenty minutes before Abigail finally snapped.