by M A Comley
Craig carried out her instructions while Sara drove to the lab. When they arrived, there was a male technician waiting at the reception area for them.
“It’s urgent we get a look at the young lady’s movements ASAP. She’s already been missing two days.”
“Leave it with me. I should have this baby cracked open within the hour. Do you have a card? I’ll contact you the minute I gain access.”
“Thanks, that would be great. In the meantime, we’ll get back on the road. We have friends and family to question.”
“I hope it goes well for you. I’ll be in touch soon.” The technician, in his forties, smiled and turned to leave. He slipped through the security door and waved once he was on the other side.
Back in the car, Sara punched Greg’s address into the satnav and set off. They pulled up outside a mid-terraced house that seemed tatty on the outside. The garden was a sharp contrast to the Rowses’ and was littered with all kinds of debris, some of which, Sara surmised, would be hard to decipher without a forensic examination.
A young man in his late teens to early twenties answered the door. His hair was messed up and looked as though they had just woken him up.
Sara presented her ID, and he peered at it through half-closed eyes. “DI Sara Ramsey and this is DC Craig Watson. I take it you’re Greg Bishop. Would it be possible for us to step inside for a little while?”
“Not until you tell me what this is all about. I’ve done nothing wrong to warrant the police knocking on my door.”
“We’re not saying you have. It would be better if we spoke inside.”
His cheeks puffed out, and he stepped back. “Excuse the mess. My parents are away on holiday. I don’t need to tidy up until Friday, they’re due back on Saturday.”
“I see. Had a few parties in their absence, have you?”
“You could say that. What’s this about?”
“You want to discuss this in the hallway?”
“Come through to the lounge, you’ll regret it, though.”
He wasn’t wrong. There was a quilt turned back on the sofa, and empty plates, dozens of glasses and cans were on every conceivable surface. “Good luck cleaning this up before your parents come back. I predict you’ll need an army of cleaners to combat this mess.”
“Thanks, not what I wanted to hear. Maybe I’ve been a fool, we had fun though, so totally worth it. Want me to clear a couple of chairs for you?”
“No, I think we’ll be better off standing, thanks. We’re making enquiries about your girlfriend, Amber.”
He smirked. “I know her name, I’ve only got the one. And before you say it, yes, I know she’s missing, and yes, I have been out there searching for her.”
Sara doubted the truthfulness behind his claim. “I’m presuming you haven’t had any luck on that front?”
His nose wrinkled and his lip curled up. “Would you be involved if I had?”
“Point taken. What we need to know is if you can think of anywhere Amber is likely to be right now.”
“Haven’t got an effing clue. She could have run off with another bloke for all I know.”
Sara frowned. “Is that likely? Were the two of you having problems?”
“No, not that I know of. She’s a cool bird, umm… girl. We’re close, but not that close.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning, I’m not her keeper. I don’t keep tabs on her daily. She’s free to do what she wants, when she wants. Clear enough for you?”
“Cut the attitude,” Craig warned.
Greg shrugged his slim shoulders. “Sorry, but I get a sense where this is going. I know how these things work. You’re going to come down on me for not caring about my girlfriend, which ain’t true. I care enough, but I’m not her keeper.”
Sara didn’t like this boy, not at all. She sensed he was hiding something. “Yeah, that’s twice you’ve told us that, we heard you the first time. What’s going on, Greg?”
“What are you talking about? Nothing. What? You think I have something to do with her disappearance? That’s insane. She’s free to live her life how she wants to live it.”
“Again, what is that supposed to mean? What are you trying to say?”
“I’m not trying to say anything, I’ve been honest and open with you. We go out with each other, but she’s still free to see other people, that includes other men.”
“Are you saying that she has other relationships?”
“No, you’re twisting my words. Oh God!” He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. “I can’t stop her, or any girl, from having other male friends, and I wouldn’t want to. I’m not the possessive type, is that any clearer?”
“Yes, thank you for clarifying the issue. In that case, may I ask when you last saw or spoke to her?” Sara held his gaze for a moment, trying to figure him out.
“Sunday, we went to the pub in the evening.”
“And what sort of mood was she in?”
“Same as usual, no, wait, she did seem a little quiet, as though she had something on her mind. I didn’t probe, and no, it’s not because I don’t care. People are entitled to have their quiet times, I appreciate that.”
“I get that,” Sara admitted. “Did this distraction manifest itself over your last few dates or did it appear just on Sunday?”
He paused to consider his answer for a moment. “No, just on Sunday, not that we see each other much, not lately.”
“How often?” she probed, trying to get a better indication of their relationship.
“Once or twice a week. We both lead busy lives, you know, what with one thing and another. I have my mates, she has hers, we go on dates in between spending time with our pals.”
“Have you been together long?”
“Around six months.”
Sara nodded, she couldn’t make her mind up about Greg. His concern appeared to waiver. “Her friends, can you give me their contact details?”
“You think I’d have them? Amber would be suspicious of me if I had her friends’ numbers in my phone.”
“Ah, okay. I never thought of it that way. Can you at least tell me some of their names?”
“Do you think they’ll know where she is?”
“Possibly. We’re going to need to speak to them first, to find out what they know, if anything.” She withdrew her notebook and pen from her jacket pocket.
“Her best pal is Sasha.”
Sara jotted down the name and then looked up at him. “Does Sasha have a surname?”
“Now you’re testing me. It begins with M, let me think about it. I think it has to do with a fish…” His eyes screwed up as he searched his mind for the information and then he smiled and nodded. “I’ve got it. I think it’s Minnow.”
Sara scribbled the name down and glanced up at him. “I don’t suppose you know where she lives?”
“Towards town, maybe around the park, the one near the college. Amber has mentioned that they used to walk around there sometimes when they were bored rather than stay at home.”
“Aylestone Hill area, then?” Sara’s impatience was starting to show in her words.
“Yep. I believe so.” Greg watched Craig circulate the room, his eyes narrowing a little.
Sara drew his attention back to her. “Thanks for that, it’ll make life a bit easier for us. What about her other friends, any luck with remembering their names?”
“Not really, Sasha is her best friend, the one she spends most time with. I wouldn’t have a clue about any of the others.”
“That’ll do for now, then. What about any problems Amber might have had recently, did she confide in you at all?”
“Sort of. I can’t recall anything, not really. She stressed about the hours Boots expected her to work now and again, you know, filling in for people if they were on holiday on top of her normal shifts. But then, she got on with it and said she needed the money.”
“But basically, she was happy in her job, her career?”
“Yeah, as far as I know, apart from what I just said.”
“Are you aware of her having any money troubles?”
His head inclined. “Should I be? Does she?”
“I take it that’s a no, then?”
“It’s a no. How much are we talking here?”
“It’s not my place to say. If she’d wanted you to know, she would’ve told you. I’m not about to break any confidences.”
“Oh right, pardon me for bloody asking, then. Jeez!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I’m sure you understand the predicament I’m in. I have to ask questions without breaking any confidences.”
“Yeah, I suppose I can understand that. Do you need anything else?”
“No, I think we’re done here. All right if I leave you my card? If you think of anything else I should know, you can ring me day or night.”
“I’ll do that. I hope you find her soon. Should I be worried about her? I mean, I’m worried, but how concerned should I really be?”
“I don’t think it’ll do anyone any good worrying about her. Maybe she found things a little tough right now and just took off.”
“She’s not the type, that’s what’s bugging me. Are you going to do one of those conferences on TV?”
“Yes, I’ll see how the investigation progresses today. If nothing is forthcoming, then I’ll consider making an urgent appeal to the people of Hereford tomorrow.”
“Good. The thought of her being out there alone is getting to me big time. She’d never cope on her own, she’s not the type. That’s why I find it hard to believe she’s missing. She loves her home comforts.”
Sara sensed his concern, finally. “Are you saying you believe someone has taken her?”
He frowned and scratched his head. “Isn’t that what you think?”
“Unless we have proof of that, then it would be wrong of me to speculate anything other than her being a missing person. We really do need to know more about what has gone on in Amber’s life in the past week or month.”
“I wish I could tell you more, I can’t. I feel such an idiot about that.”
“It’s okay. Maybe her friend Sasha can fill in the blanks for us. Thanks for speaking with us today.”
“You’re welcome. Please, find her.”
His desperate plea surprised Sara. Maybe she’d misjudged his lack of concern throughout their conversation.
He showed them to the front door, and Sara rubbed his arm. “We’ll do our very best.”
Sara and Craig walked back to the car. Once inside she took out her phone. “I need to get an address for her friend. Something really stinks about this.”
“Yeah, I thought it strange that the boyfriend couldn’t really tell us much.”
“According to what he said, I wouldn’t really class theirs as a close relationship, would you?”
“No, I got that impression too.”
“Jill, it’s me. Can you do me a favour? Look up a Sasha Minnow, or a family of Minnows, living near the Aylestone Hill area.” Sara fought hard to hold back the giggle tickling her throat.
Jill, ever the professional, thought nothing of it at her end and supplied her with an address within seconds. “Here you go, twenty-eight Baddington Road.”
“You’re a star. Once we’ve paid this young lady a visit, we’ll return to base. Don’t make it obvious I’m speaking about her, but how’s Carla?”
“Fair to middling here, boss. We’re all plodding on.”
“Within earshot I take it?”
“That’s right.”
“Enough said, we’ll see you soon.”
2
When they called at the Minnows’ house, Mrs Minnow told them her daughter was at work, at a clothes shop situated in the centre of town. Sara had tried to reassure the woman that her daughter wasn’t in any trouble, and they were conducting enquiries into an ongoing investigation, keeping Amber’s name out of the conversation. This appeared to put the woman’s mind at ease.
Sara and Craig entered New Look and approached the till area. “Hi, is it possible to speak with Sasha Minnow?” Sara asked the friendly woman behind the counter.
“Is this personal? We’re not allowed to have personal visits during work hours, you see.”
Sara produced her warrant card. “It’s important. I’m DI Sara Ramsey. I appreciate this might be an inconvenience for you, but I can’t leave it until she finishes work.”
“Oh my, is she in some kind of trouble?”
“No, not at all. I need to ask her to help us with our enquiries, that’s all. Is she here?”
“She’s counting stock out the back. I’ll take you through, if you like?”
“Thanks. It might be better to have a conversation out there.”
The woman showed them through a narrow passageway to a large stockroom at the rear. They’d obviously had a recent delivery because there were piles of boxes everywhere. “Sasha, can you come here a minute, please?” the shop assistant called out.
Within seconds, a tiny girl with black hair appeared. “Yes, Joanne. I was in the middle of putting away the first delivery. Did you want me to do something else?”
“No. There are two police officers to see you. You can either see them here or go to the staffroom, there shouldn’t be anyone in there at the moment.”
Sasha’s eyes darted between Sara and Craig. “I see. Maybe the staffroom would be better.”
“Off you pop, then. Please, try not to take up too much of her time; as you can see, we’re snowed under, and all this stock needs to be checked off by the end of the day. No mean feat, as you can imagine.”
Sara smiled. “We promise to be as quick as possible.”
The shop assistant, who Sara now assumed to be the manager or supervisor, left them to it.
“Come this way,” Sasha requested.
The canteen was a cold, unwelcoming room that was in need of a good clean and lick of fresh paint.
“Take a seat. What’s this about?” Sasha asked, flopping into a chair opposite Sara and Craig.
“Thanks for agreeing to see us. We’re conducting enquiries into an investigation of a missing person, Amber Rowse.”
Sasha’s gaze immediately dropped to the table. “Oh, I see.”
“When was the last time you spoke to her?” Sara leaned forward in an attempt to get Sasha to look at her.
“Umm… Sunday, I believe it was. Yes, around six.”
“Not since then?” Sara watched Sasha wring her hands.
“No, not at all. Missing you say?” the young woman replied, her tone flat.
“That’s right. We’re trying to ascertain if she had any problems or if something was likely concerning her. Did she?”
Without looking up, Sasha shrugged and shook her head. “No. Not that I know of.”
Sara was unconvinced by Sasha’s response. “She seemed happy in her relationship with her boyfriend?”
Sasha gasped. “Yes. Do you think he’s hurt her?”
Sara sat back and folded her arms. “We’re unsure what has happened to her right now. Is there a possibility of him harming her?”
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t really know Greg well but he doesn’t seem the type to go around beating up women.”
“That’s reassuring for us to know. Thank you. How close are you to Amber?”
“Very close. We’ve been friends since primary school.”
“Do you contact each other much?”
“Every da… umm, we used to ring each other every day. Less so nowadays.”
Sara picked up on a sudden switch in direction in her words. “Have you fallen out lately, is that what you’re telling me?”
“Oh, no. Nothing like that. It’s just life getting in the way, I suppose. You know how it is, working full-time, going home knackered at the end of the day and not finding the time to socialise.” Sasha said all this with her gaze fixed on the table once more.
Sara laughed. “Ain’t that the truth
? If it wasn’t for my husband, there wouldn’t be a meal on the table every evening, I’m always sapped of energy when I walk through my front door. I expect you’re the same after being on your feet all day around here, right?”
“That’s it, totally knackered most days, I can tell you.”
“What about Amber, she works at Boots, yes?”
“Yes. She’s the same, that’s why we don’t tend to go out much during the week.”
“And at the weekends, she spends most of her time with Greg, right?”
“Sort of. Either that or catching up on sleep after her hectic week.”
“So it’s not uncommon for you to go weeks without either seeing or hearing from each other, is that what you’re telling me?”
“Yes, that’s it. Weeks at a time. It’s a shame, we used to be really close.”
“That is a pity, and that’s only because of the pressures of work, not because you’ve fallen out with each other?” Sara repeated the question.
“Oh, no. She’s my best friend. I love her like a sister.”
Hmm… and yet you’re not reacting like you’re upset about her going missing. “Did you know that she was missing?”
“Yes, I think it was Greg who rang me to tell me.”
Still, there was no eye contact. “Ah, I see. It must be upsetting for you.”
“It is. I’m devastated by the news.”
“Greg told us that he’d been out there searching for her, have you managed to join him in the search?”
Sasha swallowed. “No, I simply haven’t had the time. The boss wanted me to work later last night. One of the girls is on maternity leave, and we’re under pressure to get this stock out before the area manager shows up at the end of the week. I really shouldn’t be taking the piss, sorry, mick, sitting around speaking to you all day.”
“Of course. Well, I appreciate you spending the time with us. I’ll leave you my card. Should you want to discuss anything further, just give me a call.” She placed the card in front of Sasha.
The girl snatched it up and darted out of the room.
Sara and Craig stared at each other. “Well, that didn’t go as expected, did it?” Sara stated.