by Peter Martin
‘Several people claim they saw him in a pub, and at a local football match. But by this time he was wearing jeans and a top.’
‘That’s very odd,’ Maria said. ‘Although to be fair being so tall he looks older than his real age. He might get away with being served in a pub, but he’s never showed much interest in drink, or cigarettes.’
‘Why would he go to such places?’ Bob asked. ‘It makes no sense. This might be rubbish -’
‘Yes, Mr Shepherd, but just one or two reliable witnesses could make all the difference, and we can’t disregard all sightings - we must assume somebody did see him.’ Gail unassumingly added. ‘You must accept the son you thought you knew inside out was living a double life. After all he got away with not going to school, and you never suspected a thing. And it looks highly likely he stole that money without your knowledge. So we can’t say what he’s capable of. At this stage, we can’t rule anything out – but what he’s been doing is impossible to say.’
When this inoffensive couple, as Gail must have seen them, looked crestfallen and unable to speak she said, ‘Don’t worry we’ll do our best to find him. What we’ve planned next is a reconstruction of his last known movements. A young lad of similar build and hair colouring, and dressed in the same school uniform Tim wore the last time you saw him, will follow the route he allegedly took. That might jog a few more memories.’
‘Sounds like a good idea. Anything’s worth a try, don’t you think love?’ Bob turned to his wife for approval.
With a nod of her head she agreed, in reality however, she feared another panic attack, but as before what choice did she have? If it helped bring her son back, it was worth doing.
‘We’ll arrange it for a couple of days’ time. The school have promised to provide the uniform, and I’d be grateful if you could let us have a bag like the one he was carrying?’ Andrew looked towards the couple and they both nodded?
‘Good, we’ll make the arrangements and let you know. Now is there anything else you’d like to discuss or ask?’ Gail enquired staring at them for a few seconds, and when nothing was forthcoming she added, ‘Right, we’ll be on our way, and speak again tomorrow.’
‘I’m not looking forward to this, Bob,’ Maria said once the police officers had gone.
‘Me neither but it’s only an actor playing a role, and if it works, as Gail said it might jog someone’s memory.’
She agreed with him, but part of her feared they still might pull her son’s body out of a river.
The day in question had arrived, and they got up at the usual time of six-thirty, to a dull wet day, like the day Tim vanished. After breakfast they sat in the living room waiting for the police to arrive.
As arranged, at eight o’clock there was a knock on the door. Bob answered the door to two police officers. A young lad who only vaguely resembled Tim stood by their side wearing the same school uniform, grey trousers, white shirt, blue and white tie and grey blazer. After inviting them in Bob handed over the black Puma bag which he had filled out with newspapers in an effort to make it look plausible.
Eight-fifteen was the time Tim had started out for school, and the day of his disappearance had been no different, even though he’d got up late. It was an unsettling experience for them, but they both put a brave face on.
They all left the house together; Tim’s lookalike set off on foot while Bob and Maria sat in the police car far enough behind as not to be seen on the cameras placed at strategic places along the route.
The young lad reached the bus stop and waited in the queue by two young women, and a couple with a young child. When the police car stopped, it went through Bob’s mind that these people may wait at this same stop every weekday, as did Tim when he was at school. They looked at the young lad, but didn’t seem to recognise him in any way.
The bus arrived at eight twenty-five. Tim’s double went upstairs as Tim had supposedly done on the actual day.
When the bus moved off, the police car followed, waiting at all the stops, until they reached the one before the school. The lad was the only one to get off.
Now he was on foot, one of the plain clothes policemen got out and followed discreetly behind keeping in contact with the police car via his mobile phone. Maria and Bob remained in the car with the other police officer.
It took half the morning to go by every place Tim had supposedly been to.
When it was all over and they were on their way home, Bob’s face dropped with relief. Travelling back in the police car, he saw his wife was close to breaking point, as tears ran silently down her cheeks. He wondered how much more she could handle before she cracked up completely.
Turning into their road the police officer said, ‘Mr Shepherd I’ll drop you off here, as Sergeant Meadows and PC Davidson are waiting for you.’
Bob and Maria walked up their driveway to see Gail and Andrew getting out of the car.
Bob greeted them with, ‘Would you like to come in, I don’t know about you but I could do with a cup of tea.’
About ten minutes later they all sat in the living room to discuss the events of the morning. Gail started the conversation. ‘So how did it go?’
‘I can’t imagine what the outcome will be, but I think I can speak for Maria as well when I say it’s taken a lot out of us. From that distance we thought we were watching our son.’
‘Well, Mr Shepherd,’ Gail said. ‘These things usually produce something; we’ll have to wait and see what the response is.’
‘With everyone knowing our business, I feel I’m living in a glass house, – it’s most disconcerting.’ Maria complained.
‘That’s only natural, Maria, anybody thrown into the public eye like you’ve been, would feel the same,’ Andrew said. ‘But it’s nothing to worry about. People will relate to you – they want you to get your son back.’
‘My colleagues at work have been so kind and understanding – I couldn’t ask for more,’ Bob said. ‘But that won’t help us find him.’
‘It’s only a matter of time. Tim will realise how upset you are, and come out of hiding,’ Gail tried to assure them.
They both smiled, and although Maria would never give up hope, it was tearing her up inside.
Later once Gail and Andrew had gone, they sat reflecting on the morning’s events; the outcome of which was uncertain.
‘So are you going to work again tomorrow?’ she asked him suddenly.
‘Might as well. No point in staying at home – is there? How about you?’
‘I don’t know any more.’
‘You’d feel better if you did. After all there’s a policeman watching the house. The phone calls to our old number are being intercepted and monitored and seeing as no one knows the new one there’s nothing more we can do here. If you stop here on your own, it’ll drive you mad – so what’s the point? It won’t make any difference – will it?’
She didn’t answer for a while, not favouring the idea. And even if there was only a small chance he’d turn up, she’d prefer to be at home.
‘I can’t face all the girls at the supermarket. The whole store will know about Tim’s disappearance. I shan’t be able to bear them staring, smiling at me, being so nice to my face, but then talking about me behind my back. I hate double standards.’
‘Come on love, you’re wrong. Most of them will be genuinely concerned and supportive. They’ll help you get through this.’
‘I’d better make the effort then – hadn’t I?’ Maria said reluctantly.
‘That’s my girl. Let’s be strong over this, for each other as well as for Tim.’
‘Shall I make a drink Bob? I’m having a cup of Horlicks – you want the same?’
‘Thanks that would be great.’
He breathed in deeply, thankful for Maria’s little concession. Maybe she was coming to terms with this at last. Then just as he’d calmed down, the phone rang.
For a second he froze. This must be the police. Realising this made him hurry to get up to answ
er it.
‘Hallo,’ he said quietly.
‘Is that Bob Shepherd?’ A male voice asked.
‘Yes, this is Bob,’ he replied praying the police had something positive to tell him.
‘I know what you did Mr Shepherd. I watched you that night, and it’s all on video, so there’s no doubt about it.’
‘Pardon! What are you talking about?’ Bob said, his pulse racing like an express train.
‘I’m talking about you killing your son and burying him in the garden – you bastard. But I wanted to tell you, your little secret is safe with me for fifty thousand pounds.’
Bob was dumbstruck, then lost his cool. ‘You can get stuffed, mate.’
‘I wouldn’t be so hasty if I were you Mr Shepherd. What’s worse losing your fifty thousand or spending the rest of your life in jail? If I were in your shoes, I know which option I’d choose.’
Bob put the phone down just as Maria brought in the mugs of Horlicks. Had she seen the strain on his face before he looked away? He wanted to keep this from her, but it was too late.
‘Who was that?’
‘A hoax caller, wanting money off us.’
‘You what? How can that be? Aren’t we ex-directory? No one knows our number.’
‘That’s what I thought, but obviously not.’
‘But how?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
‘Tell me what he said, I want to know.’ Maria’s nostrils flared slightly in her anger.
‘All right, all right - but you won’t like it, nor will you believe it. This bloke said he’s got film of me burying something in the garden. He’s accusing me of killing Tim and says he has a video that proves it. He wants money off me to keep his mouth shut. Well I’ve been in the garden lots of times, but to accuse me of this, is too incredible for words.’
Maria burst into tears.
Chapter 8
The tears trickled down her weary face as she thought about this latest development. It was so scary to imagine how someone had managed to get hold of their new number and then tried to blackmail them.
‘Bob, do something – you can’t let him pull a stunt as vile as that.’
‘It’s a nutcase, who’s somehow got our new number. Shouldn’t we just ignore it?’
‘No. Call the police – and tell them what’s happened. Ask them how that bastard found the number?’ She ordered him.
Bob cleared his throat, then shook his head in despair. Maria knew he didn’t want to bother the police because they would never take this seriously. And it would be unlikely the blackmailer could be traced. But as someone must have given out their new number he had to do something about it.
Then, as he was about to pick up the receiver to inform the police, the phone rang again. The sight of Bob’s pale face, convinced Maria that he wasn’t dismissing the nuisance call quite as much as he tried to make out
He grabbed the receiver and stammered, ‘H… Hallo.’
She watched intently as his head dropped and then he looked dumbstruck. But when he started to talk about the threatening call they had just received, she guessed it must be the police he was talking to. Unable to figure it all out and fearing the worst she wanted to know what was going on.
‘What is it?’ she whispered.
At last he put the phone down, and looked gravely at her, shaking like a leaf. ‘The police have been given evidence that incriminates us.’
‘What sort of evidence?’
‘It seems some people have come forward to say they saw me burying a body in the garden the night we reported Tim missing. And they claim to have it on film. Has to be that idiot who just rang. The police are going to study it as they do all evidence they’re handed.’
‘But that’s too silly for words. Has the world gone completely mad?’
‘Very likely. But like they said, every bit of information will have to be investigated.’
‘But what does that mean?’
‘It means they’ll look at the video and take it from there.’
Maria found it unbelievable that an unscrupulous person had been able to take advantage of their misfortune. She’d been heartened by most of the people she’d come into contact with since Tim’s disappearance, but these one or two crackpots had made their life hell.
‘So what do we do now?’
‘Nothing except to wait and see what happens. They’ll throw it out whatever it is.’
‘I don’t like the sound of this. How can they believe this nutcase? Why would we kill Tim? We love him more than anything in the world – he’s everything to us. It doesn’t make sense.’
‘I know it doesn’t. There are lots of sick people out there. We need to turn the other cheek. They can’t have film of us since there’s nothing buried in the garden. It’s a cruel hoax, and we’ll be vindicated, whatever allegations they make. And Gail’s just told me to inform them at once if we get another one of those calls. She’s changing our number again as soon as possible.’
‘She needs to check her own backyard, that’s the only place the leak could have come from.’
He raised his eyebrows and nodded his head in agreement. ‘But where the leak is coming from isn’t what’s worrying me. It’s the video the police have received showing me burying a so called body in the garden. Someone has obviously gone to great lengths to incriminate me, or both of us. Who on earth would do that? And why? It’s got to be some crackpot.’
‘Bob, I need to lie down, I don’t feel well.’
‘All right, I’ll come and sit with you love.’
She was glad of his presence, but later that night when they finally went to bed she got little sleep. The feeling of dread remained with her each time her eyes opened. It was hard to imagine a time when life would get back to normal and she’d find peace of mind again.
Just after lunch the next day there was a loud bang on the door. Bob was puzzled since there was a bell at the side. Having no idea who it was, he looked out of the front window and saw all the activity outside. Three police cars, a mechanical digger and a van, which by the sound of it, had a police sniffer dog inside. It was pandemonium.
‘Oh my God, what’s going on now?’ Maria said.
‘I have no idea, love, but I intend finding out.’ He moved away from the window to go to the front door.
When he opened it three plain clothed policemen stood before him, all brandishing their ID’s.
‘Mr Robert Shepherd,’ a ruddy faced copper with curly blond hair and a large stomach said. ‘I’m Chief Inspector Pratt, we have a warrant to search these premises in connection with your missing son, Timothy Shepherd.’ He didn’t bother to introduce the other policemen.
‘You’ve got to be joking? What the hell is going on now?’
‘We’ve come to do a job sir and that’s what we’ll do,’ the policeman told him.
Bob sensed his face reddening – he was ready to explode. For a few seconds he stood his ground. The three police officers glared at him impatiently as if he were a criminal.
‘Sir, please stand aside so we can get on with searching your house,’ the Chief Inspector persisted.
Bob had to let them in. As he closed the front door, out of the corner of his eye he saw the neighbours opposite, hurriedly moving back the curtains in their windows. Bob wanted to make a gesture to them, but wisely managed to hold himself back.
Having shut the door, the police went about their business, first in the living and dining rooms, then the kitchen. Despite Maria’s gesticulated hysterical protests, the police searched through every conceivable place looking for clues or evidence of the whereabouts of their missing son.
Bob restrained Maria, but he too felt perturbed and uneasy at what was going on around them. Even more so when the carpet was rolled up, surely they didn’t think we’d buried Tim under the concrete floor? Bob thought. After searching the downstairs rooms they made for the bedrooms, promising to repair any damage incurred.
The same procedure took place
upstairs, only this time they not only rolled up the carpets, but got the floorboards up too. And despite their assurances it seemed they had little regard for other people’s property. Nothing was found, however, but items of Bob’s clothing were taken away– a coat with a hood, Wellington boots and a polo neck jumper. Bob realised these were the clothes he’d worn to do the garden the night Tim had gone missing.
Next came the loft, but as with everywhere else nothing was found. By this time Bob was seething. He’d kept his temper in check so far but couldn’t help saying sarcastically, ‘Find any dead bodies, did you officer?’
As they came back down stairs the Chief Inspector replied, ‘We haven’t finished yet.’ His face getting redder by the minute.
‘There’s nowhere else to look. You owe us an apology, and I want to know when you’re damn well going to put all the damage right?’
‘I wouldn’t be so hasty if I were you Mr Shepherd. We still have to dig up your garden.’
Bob laughed ironically. Then looking out of the kitchen window he saw the small digger being manoeuvred round the side of the house to the back garden. There was a loud crunching noise as great chunks of earth were dug out of the ground, ruining all the vegetation and the lawn. He wasn’t happy, but his protests fell on deaf ears and he realised there was little he could do about the situation. After a considerable time the digging stopped, their efforts had been in vain. Tim’s body wasn’t there. Bob’s only consolation was that their innocence was now irrefutable.