She's Gone (A psychological thriller)

by M A Comley

“Absolutely. Not every family member involved in a case understands the trials and tribulations laid out before us. If Adele has been abducted… let’s just say, our job is never going to be easy, from the outset.”

  “What’s that?” Debs asked, joining them at the table. “Morning, by the way.”

  The inspector smiled. “How are you? Or is that a particularly silly question?”

  “Before you answer that,” Martin butted in, “what cereal do you want?”

  Debs leaned over and peered into his bowl. “That looks fine to me.”

  He shoved back his chair and collected a bowl, filled it with muesli and picked up a glass of pineapple instead of orange juice. He placed her breakfast in front of her and retook his seat.

  Debs covered his hand with hers. “You remembered how much I detest orange juice, I’m touched.”

  His cheeks warmed under the inspector’s scrutiny. “We were just discussing what lies ahead of us today.”

  Debs glanced at Cobbs. “To answer your question, Inspector, I’m not totally sure I can supply an adequate answer. I had a nightmare during the night. I’d rather not say what it consisted of, I’ll leave that to your imagination. Where do we go from here?”

  The inspector nodded her understanding. “We continue the search out here, at least until lunchtime, and assess which way we go from there. In the meantime, we’ll be sifting through the dozens of calls we’ve received back at the station to see if there are any leads worth following up on.”

  Debs dropped her spoon. “That’s brilliant news. Has anyone said they’ve actually seen Adele?”

  The inspector bowed her head for a moment and then looked Debs in the eye and replied, “Plenty, as I was explaining to Martin before you arrived, the Dark Web has a lot to answer for at times like this.”

  Debs’ head swivelled between the three of them. “What am I missing here?”

  “Paedos band together, love, try to send the police on a different path.”

  Debs shook her head and tears welled up in her striking green eyes. “My God, can this be true? What are you saying? That once a child goes missing the likelihood of them ever being found is…? I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”

  “That’s where your faith must play a part,” the inspector stated. “Our job is a difficult one from the start; it escalates to a different level once word gets out in the media. There are some extremely twisted people in the world today.” As soon as the words were aired, Cobbs winced. “I’m not telling you anything new when I say that, am I?”

  “No,” Martin admitted. “But thinking and knowing are entirely different things.”

  “I have to add a note of caution you need to consider in these types of cases. When a child is abducted, the perpetrator usually has an agenda and is often an opportunist. I want to assure you, however, that just because Adele may have been taken doesn’t mean to say that any harm will come to her.”

  “But you can’t assure us that’ll be the case either,” Martin replied.

  The waitress appeared with the cooked food order and put the plates in front of them, then returned to the kitchen to fetch their drinks.

  In the interim, the table remained quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts. After the waitress delivered the drinks and took Debs’ order for a coffee, she returned to the kitchen.

  The inspector waited until the waitress was out of earshot before she said, “Until we have actual evidence at our disposal, everything I’ve suggested is pure speculation; maybe we should leave that particular conversation there.”

  The waitress deposited Debs’ coffee and left them to it once more. The table remained quiet, the only noise to be heard was the clinking of cutlery on the plates as the four of them tucked into their breakfasts.

  Not long after, Debs pushed her half-eaten cereal away.

  “You should eat more than that, Debs,” Martin suggested.

  “I can’t. I have a lump in my chest that’s the size of a bloody watermelon, it’s a struggle to get anything down. I’ll be fine, I’ve had enough for now.” She sat back and glanced out of the window at the cars leaving the hotel. “Have you searched all the cars in the area? What if Adele is in the boot of one of those?”

  “I doubt it, Deborah,” the inspector said. “Whoever took her, if that’s the case, I think we can safely assume that they would have left the area yesterday, soon after she went missing.”

  Martin frowned. “If you believe that, why are you continuing the search?”

  Smiling, she told them, “I’ve been known to be wrong in the past, not often, admittedly, but this way, I’m covering all the bases.”

  A disturbance at the entrance of the dining room caught their attention. The inspector groaned, wiped the grease off her mouth on a serviette and crossed the room to address the issue. The room wasn’t that large, so they could just about hear what was being said.

  “Gents, what did I tell you earlier? Give us, and the parents, the space we need, will you? I appreciate you coming out here and reporting on the missing child, but I reiterate, do not hound the parents, or I’ll come down heavily on you.”

  “Hey, come on, Inspector, let us have a brief chat with them. The public have a right to know what they’re going through at a time like this.”

  “I’m sure the general public have enough savvy to appreciate the anxiety the couple are dealing with. I can’t allow it.”

  Martin left his chair and raced over to join the inspector; the sergeant tried his best to prevent him but failed.

  “Why are you hounding us at a time like this?” Martin demanded. His question was aimed at the tall, skinny man with the large nose standing ahead of the surging pack, who appeared to be the group’s spokesperson.

  “We’re not, mate. The public can be a great help during instances like this. Why not do us all a favour and give us a heartfelt interview? You could make a personal plea to the kidnappers, if that’s what happened to your little girl. It’ll make you feel better, I promise, you know, knowing that you reached out for your child through the media. Go on, what do you say?”

  Unsure, Martin looked at Cobbs for guidance. “What do you think?”

  “It’s up to you. I’ve known interviews with the press being beneficial in the past, but they can also take a lot out of the parents at the same time.”

  “But if it’s a means to get to Adele and whoever has taken her, I think I’m willing to take the risk.”

  The journalist gave him a smug smile. “Good man. I’ll get things set up and get back to you in ten minutes, give you time to finish off your breakfast. What’s your name?”

  “Martin Jenkins.”

  The inspector wagged a finger at the journalist. “One word out of line and I’ll throw the bloody book at you. This is about the parents and Adele, got that? Don’t use this interview as an ego boost for yourself to further advance your career. Am I making myself clear, Roberts?”

  The reporter grinned broadly. “Crystal. He’ll be safe in my hands, you should know that, Inspector. I’ll be back soon to collect you, Mr Jenkins.” He strained his neck and looked over at the breakfast table. “Will your wife be joining us? It’ll make more of an impact if both of you speak.”

  “No. Leave her out of it.” Martin walked back to the table and explained to Debs what was about to happen. “I told him it’ll just be me talking, is that all right?”

  “God, yes. I’d be a nervous wreck and get all tongue-tied if he asked me any questions, anyway.”

  The inspector retook her seat. She frowned, letting Martin know she’d thought he’d overstepped the mark.

  He felt the need to apologise. “I’m sorry I butted in like that.”

  “It’s okay. I wish you luck with the interview. A word of warning, if I may?” Martin nodded. “Refuse to answer, or dodge any questions that you feel uncomfortable answering. He’s one of the cannier journalists; once he gets an idea in his head, he keeps chipping away until he gets a suitable answer. Just
be aware of that, don’t take any shit, but also be aware that he’ll try to twist you into knots to gain what he believes is the truth. Did that make any sense?”

  “Yes, shit. I’m regretting giving him the go-ahead now. Me and my big mouth. My intentions were good.”

  “In one way, I think it’s a good idea to hold the interview. If it were up to me, it wouldn’t have taken place so soon, but we need to look on the positive side and believe it can help us bring Adele back.”

  “I’m confused,” Debs said. “How can talking to the press harm our cause?”

  “Invariably, it doesn’t; but occasionally, it can. I’m sorry, I don’t want to put a dampener on things, I’m just adding a word of caution, that’s all.”

  “Would it be a cheek if I asked you to be by my side during the interview, Inspector?”

  “I… umm, I have the troops to rally first, Martin. I wasn’t expecting anything else to crop up and have asked the team to assemble in ten minutes, around the time of the interview. So regrettably, I’m going to have to decline and tell you, you’re on your own on this one.”

  His head sank and Debs covered his hand with hers. “You’ve got this, Martin. Do you want me to join you for moral support?”

  “No. I’d rather keep you out of the limelight, if that’s okay, Debs.”

  “It’s your call.”

  “I agree with Martin,” the inspector said. “I think he’s strong enough to handle the type of probing questions Roberts prefers to ask.”

  “Damn, what have I done?” Martin ran a hand through his hair and stared out of the window at the pack of journalists all chatting away, some of them more animated than others.

  “Hey, just answer the questions you feel comfortable with and go from there. Okay?” Cobbs said. Her smile was a forgiving one, considering the predicament he’d put them both in.

  “I need another coffee if I’m going to deal with that lot.”

  Cobbs clicked her fingers to summon the waitress. “Coffees all round, please, if you don’t mind?”

  “I’ll be right back. Thank you for sorting the journalists out for me,” the waitress replied, sheepishly.

  “Not a problem. If they get too much, just give us a shout and we’ll instruct them to back off.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be back with your drinks soon.”

  The waitress left and another awkward silence descended until Martin heaved out a sigh. “Is there anything I shouldn’t say? If you can give me some guidance there.”

  “Not really. Just tell them we’re covering a few possibilities. At the end of the day, everything is a supposition up to this point, you know that. We could step outside, begin the search and find Adele cowering in a spot we checked yesterday, who knows?”

  Debs squeezed his hand. “Let’s hope that’s the case. I just thought as the word had got out last night, it would be best to talk to the press sooner rather than later. Keeping Adele’s image in the mind of the public will help our cause in the long run, won’t it?” Martin said.

  “You’re right to think that, which is why we put an alert out last night. I hate that you’ve been forced to speak to the reporter at this early stage, you know, with your emotions being fraught. I tend to try and protect families a little longer.”

  “So they get used to the idea of their child going missing, is that what you’re saying?”

  Inspector Cobbs shrugged. “Maybe. It’s never good to rush these things, but what’s done is done.”

  “You want me to call the interview off?” he asked, doubts seeping into his mind.

  “No, it’ll look bad if you do that now. You need to keep the reporters on your side, working for us. Piss them off and they could switch just like that.” The inspector clicked her fingers.

  “By that you mean they could start reporting that we’ve done something to our child? Correction, that I’ve done something to Adele?”

  “Possibly, it’s always wise to remain friendly with them throughout an interview.”

  Martin groaned. “Thanks for the warning.” He peered at the kitchen door just as it opened. “Boy, do I need that extra cup of caffeine.”

  The waitress deposited the cups and cleared away the plates of half-eaten food.

  He popped two sugar cubes in his cup and stirred it. Debs leaned in and asked, “Are you sure about this?”

  “Er, no… but I figure it can’t hurt. The more people out there looking for Adele the better, yes?”

  She smiled and nodded. “I suppose so. Be careful.”

  “I will. Drink up.”

  7

  Roberts, the reporter, was actually quite gentle and easy-going with his questions, not intrusive as Martin had feared. He came away from the interview relieved that it had gone so well.

  Debs was congratulating Martin as the journalists dispersed outside the hotel. A car drew up alongside them and Louise stepped out. A pang of guilt tore at his insides.

  “Martin.”

  He took a step away from Debs and approached the vehicle. “Louise. I thought you left yesterday.”

  “No. I decided to go back today, we were all exhausted after what went on yesterday. I expected you back last night.”

  “The inspector booked a room for me here. I didn’t get to bed until gone one, after the dive team left.”

  She gasped and turned to look at the lake. “Did they find anything?”

  “No. Which we’re taking to be a positive outcome; at least we have hope she’s still alive.”

  Louise looked at him again and nodded. “Any other news?”

  “Not really. I’ve just held a press conference with the journalists. The inspector seems to think Adele was abducted.”

  Another gasp. “Oh, God, not that. I’m so sorry.”

  “Yes, you said as much yesterday.” His blood scorched his veins and he struggled to prevent the anger from revealing itself in his tone.

  Louise seemed shocked by the sudden change in him. “I can’t keep saying it, Martin. I’ve barely slept all night as it is.”

  “Yeah, you and me both. Go home, Louise.”

  “I’m going. Thanks for letting me use the car.”

  “It’s okay. Debs is here, she’ll give me a lift back to Liverpool.”

  Louise glanced past him at Deborah. She threw him the keys of the cottage and slipped behind the steering wheel without saying another word.

  He took a step back and watched Louise and her kids drive away. Debs hooked an arm through his. “Don’t be too hard on her, Martin. You can see what pain she’s going through.”

  He shook his head. “Not enough. She shouldn’t have let our daughter wander off, end of.”

  “I know. But punishing her for something that was out of her control isn’t going to help matters, is it?”

  “I know you’re right. However, every time I see her, the anger starts to build again. Anyway, enough about them, they’ve gone. What do you think we should do now?”

  “Sit and wait, I suppose, as the inspector suggested. There’s really nothing else we can do at the moment.”

  The wind picked up. “Okay, let’s go back inside in case it rains. After an hour or so, I’ll come back out and chase up the inspector to see how things are progressing. That is if I don’t go out of my mind in the interim.”

  “Did the reporters tell you when they’ll be airing the interview?”

  “Lunchtime at the earliest.”

  “That’s a shame. I thought it might go out in the morning news bulletin. It’s the waiting around that is going to kill us.”

  “Well, we could always go back to the cottage. I need to pack up my stuff and return the keys to the owner, anyway.”

  “Good idea. Shall we go now?”

  “Why not? I’m going to tell the inspector what we’re up to. I’ll be back in a sec.”

  “I’ll be waiting in the car.”

  He jogged across the car park to where the inspector was instructing the uniformed coppers who had just arrived. She sa
w him coming and wrapped things up as he reached her. “Go, people, ask your questions and start the search all over again. Give me a shout if you find anything at all.” She turned to face him. “How did it go with the reporters?”

  “Yeah, it was fine in the end. I think they felt sorry enough for me not to badger me too much. Just wanted to let you know that Debs and I are going back to the cottage to pick up my belongings. Louise dropped by with the keys, not five minutes ago.”

  “I saw her. Is she heading back to Liverpool now?”

  “Yes. Good riddance, I say.”

  Cobbs raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to have to forgive her one day. These things happen, Martin, no one is to blame.”

  “I have a different take on it, Inspector. I was watching her child like a hawk, I expected her to do the same, especially in a strange area.”

  “We’re never going to agree on that one. I think Louise is feeling guilty enough as it is, without you heaping more blame on her. That’s my take, anyway.”

  “You’re entitled to your opinion, as am I. We’ll be back soon.”

  He spun on his heel, seething, and returned to the car park where Debs was waiting for him. He jumped in the car and they set off, winding their way through the nearby cars parked at odd angles along the narrow road that led back to the lake. “I think we should go back. Take the long way around.”

  Debs agreed and began a three-point turn that actually turned out to take five attempts. “It’s narrower than I thought, nothing wrong with my driving, just in case you were debating whether to have a go at me.”

  He placed a hand over his chest. “Moi? I wouldn’t dream of criticising your wonderful driving skills.”

  “Yeah, right,” she muttered, putting her foot down.

  They pulled up outside the cottage around thirty minutes later. His heart pounded at the prospect of having to pack up his and Adele’s things. He hesitated on the threshold of the cottage until Debs nudged his elbow.

  “Come on, get in, the wind is picking up and it’s getting chilly.”

  “It’s just that… you’re right, I’m being foolish. Okay.” He opened the front door and stood back to allow Debs to enter the cottage first.