Gone Astray

by Michelle Davies

  Rob dropped to the carpet next to his girlfriend and held her in his huge arms.

  ‘Sssh, it’s okay, you’re safe now.’

  As touching though the reunion was, Maggie needed answers.

  ‘Lisa, is Rosie Kinnock here?’

  ‘No, she’s not, but he knows where she is. He’s keeping her somewhere until the parents give him some money.’

  ‘She’s alive?’

  ‘I think so.’

  ‘But you don’t know where she is?’

  ‘It’s somewhere close to where she lives. He thinks it’s funny that she’s right under your noses. He’s a fucking nutter.’

  ‘She could still be anywhere. We need to narrow it down, Lisa.’

  ‘It’s somewhere to do with a client of his.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Lisa started crying again. ‘He’s got a client he treats in Haxton every Thursday. I’ve met him a couple of times at the Swan Hotel after the appointment.’

  Rob looked crushed. ‘You’ve been seeing Ade behind my back?’

  ‘Not now,’ Maggie urged him. ‘We don’t have much time. How did you end up here?’ she asked Lisa.

  ‘I really did go to Manchester to see my friend but I stayed a couple of extra days.’ She shot Rob a look. ‘After that row we had about you wanting Mae to come on holiday with us. I don’t want to look after the baby for that long,’ she explained to Maggie, who said nothing but shot Rob a look of her own. ‘Yesterday I got back and came straight round here because Ade had borrowed my car again,’ Lisa continued. ‘Anyhow, he got really angry when I turned up because he told me I was never allowed to come to his house.’

  ‘You’ve never been here before?’ asked Maggie.

  ‘No, he said he didn’t like visitors messing the place up. He lets me in but then he starts laying into me, like hitting me and I blacked out for a bit. When I woke up he started on me again and I couldn’t get to the front door so I ran upstairs thinking I could lock myself in the bathroom and call the police. But I ended up in a bedroom by mistake and that’s when I saw it.’

  ‘Saw what?’

  ‘The missing girl’s picture on the wall, with her mum and dad. Ade found me and lost the plot. He started screaming that it wasn’t his fault the girl got injured and he’d been the one who’d saved her and taken her to safety because he thought he could get some money from her parents by looking after her.’ Lisa shivered violently. ‘When I told him I’d tell the police, he tied me up.’

  ‘Did he harm you in any other way?’ asked Maggie gently.

  Lisa squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she nodded.

  ‘But he said it didn’t count because we were already sleeping together. Oh God, if he’s done the same to her . . .’ She broke down again and Rob held her tighter.

  ‘We need to get you out of here,’ said Maggie. ‘I’ll call for an ambulance. You need to go to hospital.’

  ‘You’ve got to find her,’ Lisa sobbed.

  ‘We will. Is there anything else you can think of that might help?’

  Lisa shook her head miserably.

  After Maggie placed the call for the ambulance, she tried Umpire. Again there was no answer.

  Baton still drawn, she went upstairs as quietly as she could, even though she was certain Farley wasn’t there. What she was hoping to find were client records that would tell her who he treated in Haxton.

  A chill ran through her when she opened the door to the smallest bedroom and saw the photograph of Mack, Lesley and Rosie on the wall, surrounded by newspaper cuttings about their win. Obsessed didn’t come close. Going through the desk, however, she hit her own jackpot. In the bottom drawer, separated by dividers, were Farley’s client records, filed alphabetically. She tore through them, taking out the cover sheets that listed Haxton addresses. Eventually she reached ‘R’.

  Mrs Vivienne Roberts. Verma Lodge, Burr Way, Haxton.

  ‘Yes!’ she exclaimed.

  It all made sense. Matheson said Rosie was most likely carried from the pathway behind Angel’s Reach because there was no trace of her beyond that point. All Farley had to do was take her round the corner, across the bottom of the meadow and into Verma Lodge. He could’ve carried her easily, but how did he manage to get her past Mrs Roberts?

  She ran back downstairs with the cover sheet in her hand.

  ‘Lisa, has Farley ever mentioned a woman called Mrs Roberts or a house called Verma Lodge?’

  Lisa thought for a moment.

  ‘We were out for a drink once and he told me about a party he’d come across when he was working at a lodge one day in Haxton. I guess that could be the same place?’

  ‘Did he say anything else about it?’

  ‘I think he said it was organized by a girl he knew through another client. She’d been throwing these secret parties for her friends so they could all get drunk and take drugs and get up to God knows what, but it wasn’t her house, it belonged to her nan. I remember Ade saying the nan had found out what was going on, but he covered for the girl and stopped her getting into trouble. He said she owed him a favour after that.’

  ‘Did he say what the girl’s name was?’

  ‘No, sorry, he didn’t. He only mentioned the party in passing.’

  Maggie’s first thought was the girl had to be Kathryn. Sarah said she was always getting into trouble for missing her curfew and dating unsuitable boys – the parties sounded right up her street. But if Mrs Roberts was related to the Stocktons, surely they’d have found out before now? Maggie shook her head, folded up the cover sheet and put it in her pocket.

  ‘You know what, right now it doesn’t matter who the girl is,’ she said to Lisa and Rob. ‘All that counts is getting to Rosie before it’s too late – if it’s not already.’

  58

  Suzy suggested they find a quiet corner near Mack’s room to talk but Lesley refused point-blank. She wasn’t letting her anywhere near him.

  ‘There’s a cafe over there,’ she said, pointing across the foyer. It wouldn’t hurt to have witnesses to their conversation, not just to overhear what was said, but to stop her doing something she might later regret.

  As they crossed the foyer in silence, Lesley stole a surreptitious look at Suzy. Her hair was short and boyish – the last time she’d seen her it was past her shoulders – but the style suited her delicate features and emphasized her big brown eyes. There were lines on her face that hadn’t been there before, but her figure, not dissimilar to Lesley’s in build, was exactly the same and flattered by her slim-fit indigo jeans and fitted fuchsia blouse. Suzy also wore a thick, intricately designed silver necklace and sand-coloured wedge sandals with peep-toes. Lesley felt a stab of jealousy at realizing how good she looked.

  ‘Do you want a drink?’ Suzy asked as they reached the concession.

  ‘This isn’t a social occasion,’ sniped Lesley, even though the strong aroma of coffee wafting out from behind the counter made her long for one. She sat down at one of the two tables that were free.

  ‘Suit yourself. I’m going to have one.’

  Her jealousy grew as Suzy strolled confidently to the counter and ordered a latte. How dare she turn up now, acting like she had every right to be here? She thought about just walking out but curiosity pinned her to the seat. However furious she was with Suzy for turning up, she still wanted to hear what she had to say.

  Suzy sat down across the table from her. As she took a sip of her drink, Lesley saw she was wearing a wedding ring. Did her husband know what she’d done?

  ‘What is it you want, Suzy?’ she snapped. ‘Isn’t fifty grand enough for you?’

  Suzy didn’t even flinch. ‘No, it’s not.’

  Speechless at her audacity, Lesley could only stare at her open-mouthed.

  ‘Yes, I want more money, but not for the reason you think. I’m not blackmailing Mack, nor are we having an affair. He told me you’d seen the texts I sent him and the explanation he’s given you and I’m bloody furious with him.’ Her
accent was an odd, lilting hybrid of Scots and Kiwi. ‘He should’ve been honest. But,’ she hesitated, looking nervous for the first time, ‘with Rosie missing, I guess he didn’t want to upset you. I’m really sorry, Lesley, I can only imagine what you must be going through. If it was my daughter, I don’t know how I’d cope.’

  ‘You have a child? That makes you coming here even worse. I don’t need this right now.’

  ‘I had no choice. The police have been round to where I’m staying and I don’t want any trouble. If Mack won’t tell the truth, I will.’

  ‘So go on,’ Lesley challenged her. ‘Explain to me why you’ve been blackmailing my husband for money.’

  ‘I haven’t. Mack paid me because he wanted to.’

  ‘I know my husband and there is no way he would just give someone money, even you, without a very good reason.’

  ‘Oh, there’s a very good reason,’ said Suzy abruptly. ‘And that reason is why I’m here now. I know this is the worst time possible to do this and I am very sorry for adding to your distress, but I will not have Mack distort the truth just to save his skin.’

  Lesley’s insides turned to liquid. ‘So you are having an affair,’ she croaked.

  ‘No, we’re not. There has been nothing between me and Mack for years, since before I emigrated.’

  ‘But I saw the text saying you wouldn’t tell anyone he was with you in Scotland when he told me he was in a hotel.’

  ‘Yes, he did visit me in Falkirk at the weekend.’

  Lesley hugged her arms tightly round herself. ‘I don’t think I want to hear this.’

  ‘You need to. You need to know that Mack is a good guy, one of the best, who loves you very much. I don’t care what you think about me, but you need to know what’s really going on before the police dig any further and the press find out. I need to protect my family too.’

  ‘What the hell are you talking about?’

  ‘I’ll tell you, but please let me finish before you say anything.’

  Lesley nodded reluctantly.

  ‘Me and Mack are not having an affair. But eighteen years ago, right before I emigrated to New Zealand, we had a one-night stand. You two had just got engaged.’

  Oh, Mack. Lesley squeezed her eyes shut to stop tears escaping. She would not let this woman see her cry.

  ‘It was completely my doing. We were both stupidly drunk and I came on to him so strongly he’d have needed a cattle prod to get me off. The next day he was in pieces. He loved you so much and he hated himself for letting it happen. By the time I left Scotland, we weren’t talking. He refused to have anything to do with me and that’s probably how things would’ve stayed between us if it hadn’t been for Faye.’

  Lesley slowly opened her eyes. ‘Who?’

  ‘Our daughter.’

  The cafe seemed to tilt violently, like the world had suddenly shifted on its axis. Lesley clutched the table to steady herself.

  ‘Your daughter?’ she rasped.

  ‘Yes, Mack is the father of my child. I’m sorry, I never wanted you to find out like this.’

  ‘I don’t understand. Why hasn’t he told me?’ said Lesley desperately.

  ‘He only found out about her a year ago. When I landed in New Zealand, I thought it was jet lag making me sick. I didn’t realize I was pregnant until I was almost five months and it was too late to do anything about it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Faye more than anything, but at the time having a baby wasn’t high on my list of priorities. When I found out I was expecting, I was seeing someone, Eric, who’s now my husband. I told him how I’d left things with Mack and he said he’d be there to help me with the baby. Since the minute Faye was born Eric has been an amazing dad to her.’

  Lesley frowned. ‘So you only told Mack when you found out we’d won the money?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Suzy simply. ‘Money’s tight back home since Eric got laid off and I used up all our savings flying back to see my mum before she passed away last month. I told Mack about Faye because I wanted him to help us out financially. Initially he refused, but I met this accountant by chance in London who said I had a cast-iron case and he was helping me draw up a financial agreement for Mack to sign before I go home to New Zealand. It was actually his idea to get Mack to meet me in Scotland last weekend to discuss getting a one-off lump sum payment, but then Mack had to fly home because of Rosie. My accountant, Simon, suggested I come down so we could sort it out. He should be here too but for whatever reason he didn’t meet me off the train in London and now I can’t get hold of him.’

  ‘You think now is the time to sort this out?’ Lesley thundered.

  ‘I’m going home in a fortnight, so yes. Look, I could’ve gone after Mack for maintenance before now but I didn’t,’ said Suzy defensively. ‘I’m only wanting what’s owed.’

  ‘How can you be sure Faye’s really his? Why should we take your word for it?’

  Suzy set her coffee down on the table and pulled her handbag onto her lap. From its front pocket she took out a photograph and handed it silently to Lesley, who gasped. It was like looking at a picture of Rosie, but a few years older. Faye’s face was the same round shape and she had Rosie’s dark hair and almond-shaped green eyes. Mack’s eyes.

  ‘That’s how I know,’ said Suzy. ‘I told Mack we could take a paternity test to make sure, but he didn’t need convincing. All the dates add up.’

  Lesley could barely think straight as she handed the picture back.

  ‘Does Faye know about Mack?’

  ‘Yes. We told her when she was young that Eric wasn’t her real father. She’s never shown any interest in wanting to meet Mack though. As far as she’s concerned, Eric’s her dad and always will be.’

  ‘Even though Mack’s rich now?’ said Lesley sceptically.

  ‘She doesn’t care. In fact, she’s pretty angry with me for asking him for money. She didn’t think it was fair on you or Rosie.’

  Lesley groaned. ‘What will I tell Rosie? This is going to devastate her.’ Then she faltered.

  Suzy reached over and squeezed her shoulder.

  ‘She’ll come home. And when she does, nothing will have changed. Mack’s still her dad.’

  ‘He’s got another family,’ Lesley hissed, shrugging Suzy’s hand off.

  ‘No, he hasn’t. He fathered another child, that’s all. Faye is not his daughter in any way except biologically and she’s not going to suddenly turn up and whisk him away from Rosie.’

  Lesley’s voice broke. ‘But what if Rosie doesn’t come home? He’ll want to be a dad to Faye then, won’t he?’

  Suzy sat back. ‘Rosie will turn up, I’m sure of it.’

  ‘How can you be so sure?’ Lesley snarled. ‘You don’t know anything about it.’

  ‘No, I don’t. But you mustn’t give up hope.’

  Lesley rubbed her eyes with her palms. ‘I can’t take this in. It’s – it’s . . .’

  ‘I am sorry, Lesley. I can see how upset you are and I do feel terrible. But Mack should never have told you I was blackmailing him.’

  Lesley was struck by a thought. ‘If Rosie hadn’t gone missing and the police hadn’t checked up on Mack in Scotland, I might never have found out about Mack and you sleeping together behind my back.’

  ‘That’s something you need to talk to Mack about. I said he should’ve told you about Faye last year, when he first found out about her. But he was terrified you’d leave him if you knew we’d had sex. He didn’t want to lose you, or Rosie. He said you were jealous of me, which is ironic because it was always the other way round.’

  ‘You were jealous of me?’

  ‘Hell, yeah,’ Suzy exclaimed. ‘I always adored Mack and thought we might get back together one day. But when he met you I knew I’d lost my chance. I couldn’t compete: you were this beautiful, intelligent blonde he met at uni while I was the boring girl-next-door who’d never left her hometown. That’s why I threw myself at him that night – I wanted to prove he still fancied me.’

&nbs
p; ‘If you’d told him you were pregnant, he might have left me. You’d have got your wish.’

  Suzy shook her head sagely. ‘It would have been for the wrong reasons. He’d have done it to be with the baby, not me. That’s no basis for a relationship.’

  Lesley was so conflicted she didn’t know what to think. She sat for a few moments, trying to make sense of it all, while Suzy sipped her coffee.

  ‘Was it really just the once you slept together?’

  Suzy met Lesley’s gaze. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Does Mack know you’re here?’

  ‘Yes, he does. I texted him this morning to tell him I was coming.’

  ‘That’s why he’s collapsed,’ she said accusingly.

  ‘Look, I know I’m being incredibly selfish when Rosie’s missing and you are both worried sick, but I cannot risk Faye being dragged into this by the police and being exposed by the press. It could ruin her life and she doesn’t deserve it. The way Mack has been carrying on, people were going to find out about her and I had to put a stop to it. I’m sorry I’ve hurt you, but I’m just protecting my daughter.’

  Lesley slowly nodded. ‘I don’t like the way you’ve gone about it, but I think I understand.’

  Suzy was visibly relieved. ‘That’s why I wanted to talk to you myself. Mum to mum, if you like.’ She stood up. ‘I should go now. Tell Mack I’m sorry too.’ Lesley could see her eyes were shining with tears. ‘I really hope you find Rosie soon.’

  Lesley couldn’t quite believe the words as they came out of her mouth, but as she got to her feet too she found herself saying, ‘Maybe, when this is all over, we should sit down and talk again and try to work out something. For Faye, I mean. To see her right.’ She paused for a moment. ‘Rosie’s always said she wanted a sister.’

  Suzy flashed a grateful smile. ‘Faye’s the same. Who knows, maybe they’d get on if they met.’

  ‘Yes, maybe they would.’

  59

  Umpire called Maggie just as the patrol officer waved her through the security gate at the mouth of Burr Way. He was back in Mansell, preparing to interview Eddie Sinclair, but for once she managed to get the first word in and told him everything, from Steve seeing the suspect on the CCTV to her finding Lisa, who was now on her way to hospital with Rob at her side.