by Lesley Kelly
‘I don’t know.’ She started to cry again. ‘But you’ve got to find her before Kevin does. Where do you think Heidi is?’
‘We don’t know.’
Amanda looked surprised. ‘But what are you doing to find her? Are you talking to her other friends? She has some German friends – maybe they know something?’
Mona walked around the room, thinking. She stopped at the sideboard, in front of a photograph in a solid wooden frame. The photograph showed Heidi and Amanda sitting on a wall, arms round each other. A calculation took place at the back of Mona’s mind.
‘I don’t remember this photograph being here last time I visited.’
Amanda grunted. ‘S’been there for ages.’
There was another picture frame lying face down, its supporting arm sticking out like a dagger. Mona turned it over and saw it was a novelty frame, cheap green plastic decorated with red love-hearts. In the centre was a picture of Amanda kissing Heidi’s cheek. Heidi was laughing at the camera.
She swivelled round to face Amanda.
‘Which room did you say was Kevin’s?’
Amanda’s eyes were fixed on the silent television set. ‘He doesn’t have a room, he sleeps on the sofa, or with Heidi.’
‘Really?’
Amanda hugged her toes, turning herself into a small ball. ‘Heidi’s parents are really, really, strict.’
Mona picked up the heart-infested picture frame, and lifted it up to show Amanda. ‘And she couldn’t tell them that you and Heidi are in a relationship?’
Silence filled the room. Outside Mona could hear cars passing by, and voices calling to each other. Amanda stared back at her.
‘Come on, Amanda, these pictures weren’t here last time I visited. You’ve put on a show for me. You promised Heidi you wouldn’t tell anyone about your relationship, didn’t you? But if you help me guess that you two are together you’ve not broken your promise, have you?’
The girl pressed her head down into her legs. ‘I love her so much.’
Mona sat down next to her. ‘You should have told us this straight away – it might be relevant to finding her.’
‘I couldn’t!’ she wailed, her head still buried in her knees. ‘It’s supposed to be a secret. You understand these things?’ Amanda sat upright. ‘You understand about these things . . .’ she took Mona’s hand in hers, ‘don’t you?’
Mona snatched her hand away and got to her feet. ‘I’ll be in touch. In the meantime call me if you hear from Kevin or Heidi.’ She walked as quickly as she could back to the front door, but hesitated before opening it. She turned back to see Amanda standing behind her.
‘Please.’ Amanda caught Mona’s hand and raised to her face.
Mona stood for a second or two with her other hand raised in an involuntary surrender. Amanda moved in toward her. Mona held her close for a moment or two, intending to push her away as soon as the girl was in control of her emotions. The warmth of Amanda’s body ran through her, and when she reached up and pulled her lips toward her, Mona didn’t resist. Her hands crept up to Amanda’s face, then her common sense kicked in and she pushed the girl away.
‘Sorry.’ Amanda held her gaze. ‘I shouldn’t have done that.’
‘No, it was . . .I mean . . .’ She stopped, uncertain what she wanted to say. The light was hurting her eyes as she tried to make sense of all the things that were wrong with the situation. ‘What’s going on here, Amanda? Your girlfriend is missing, you tell me how much you love her, yet here you are throwing yourself in my direction?’
Amanda put her hands to her face, and her shoulders shook. It took all Mona’s self-control not to hold her again.
‘I’m sorry.’ The words came out in between sobs. ‘I’m so sorry, but I thought if I . . .I thought if we . . .I thought you would help us without going to the Police.’
‘That’s not my decision. I’m sorry.’
‘You need to find Kevin. And soon. You will let me know as soon as you hear anything about Heidi, won’t you?’
Mona nodded, backing out of the flat. Running down the stairs of the tenement, she made it out into the fresh air, and leaned against the railings while her heartbeat returned to normal. She looked up at the flat’s window to see a tiny figure watching her. Amanda waved.
She turned on her heel and left.
3
‘Maitland?’
His colleague swore at him.
Bernard hovered at the side of Maitland’s desk. His colleagues cursed so much that he often found it difficult to interpret what it meant. Sometimes the swearing was a sign that Maitland or Mr Paterson was stressed, and in need of peace and quiet. And sometimes it was just their way of saying hello.
Without looking up, Maitland motioned a thumb in the direction of Bernard’s desk.
The gesture was helpful, and he resigned himself to the fact that Maitland wasn’t going to tell him what to do. Mona’s mobile had gone straight to voicemail every time he’d called her, and he was left wondering if he’d done the right thing by coming back to the office. Maybe he should have gone to Amanda’s flat? He was pretty sure that Mona could handle whatever situation she found herself in, and she could have called him if she wanted his help, but still . . .He looked over to Paterson’s office, and wondered if he should talk to his boss. This was a very unappealing option, so he decided to text his partner, and if she didn’t get back he’d go and talk to the other man in the office who would swear at him.
He sent his message then sat staring at the phone, willing it to beep. He heard a voice behind him, and realised that Maitland was speaking to someone. Without turning round, he began to tune in to what was happening.
‘Emma, pick up the phone.’ Maitland was talking as quietly as he could into his mobile. ‘For Christ’s sake, Emma! This is my fourth message.’
Paterson appeared in the door of his office. Bernard looked to see how his colleague would react. Maitland gave his boss a wave and pointed to the phone at his ear, in a signal aimed at convincing Paterson he was hard at work. It seemed to succeed, as their Team Leader nodded and retreated back into his office. Bernard went on staring at Maitland, who gave him a different hand signal, which again helped clarify the situation. Bernard turned his back but continued eavesdropping.
‘Can I speak to Emma Francis, please?’
Maitland’s girlfriend, he assumed. Or possibly recent ex-girlfriend, if Maitland’s mood was anything to go by.
‘No, no, thanks. No-one else can help.’
Bernard heard the sound of Maitland’s phone being thrown down, then, after a brief pause, picked up again.
‘Emma, I know you are not planning to talk to me, but I spoke to your work who said you’re off sick, and if I don’t hear from you in the next ten minutes I’m going to phone your mother, and ask her if you are suffering from the Virus.’
Bernard was no expert on women, he would be the first to admit. However, despite his lack of expertise he knew that if Maitland wasn’t already dumped, he would be soon.
Maitland’s phone rang.
‘You shit!’
Even from six feet away, Bernard could hear the outrage. In fact, he could hear every word she was screaming.
‘You know my mum would freak out.’
‘I know, I’m sorry, I was getting desperate.’
He dropped any pretence that he wasn’t listening and turned round to watch Maitland, who was too caught up in the conversation to notice.
‘Are you OK?’
Emma’s voice had returned to normal, depriving Bernard of her side of the conversation. Maitland heaved a sigh of relief, leading Bernard to assume Emma had confirmed that she was, in fact, all right. His colleague’s features morphed almost immediately into a look of fury.
‘Then what are you playing at, disappearing off without even leaving a note?’
The phone emitted a squawk of annoyance.‘You’ve moved out?’ His surprise showed in his tone. ‘What do you mean “the stunt I pulled last night”?’
There was a pause while Maitland listened to his crimes being detailed. ‘Oh, that.’ He stood up. ‘Where are you? I’ll come over and we can talk.’
Bernard’s phone beeped, and he looked down to see a message from Mona saying she was on her way. He’d been so caught up in enjoying Maitland’s distress that he had almost forgotten about her. Maitland was still standing by his desk, and now had one arm into his jacket.
‘We need to sort this. I’ll get some time off – just tell me where you are?’
Bernard assumed Emma had hung up as Maitland shoved his phone in his pocket and pulled on his coat. He looked over at Bernard, who smiled cheerfully back.
‘So, what stunt did you pull last night, then?’
‘Mind your own business.’
Maitland looked so furious that Bernard manoeuvred his chair out slightly from the desk, in case he had to leap out of the way of a fist. After a second or two, however, a look came over his colleague’s face that, in anyone else, Bernard would have described as sheepish.
‘I pretended that I was interested in religion, so that she’d take me along to the next church service. She fell for it for about thirty seconds, then got pretty an-noyed.’
‘Pretty annoyed?’
‘Yeah, in a kind of “moved all her stuff out” sort of way.’
‘Strange that.’
‘Yeah.’ Maitland gave a small laugh, then a huge grin spread across his face. ‘And I know where she’s gone. Pastor Mackenzie’s house.’
‘You planning on going somewhere, Maitland?’
Both of them jumped as their superior officer appeared beside them, carrying a stack of files.
Maitland stuttered an explanation, but it was clear that Paterson wasn’t really paying attention.
‘Because I need you here. It turns out I’ve made a bit of a – em – misjudgement,’ he shifted the files to his other arm, ‘regarding your Defaulter.’
‘Oh yeah?’
‘Yep. I mentioned to Stuttle that you were chasing a girl that was pregnant, and he said he hoped that we were following the High Risk Accelerated Defaulter Procedure, what with expectant mothers being so susceptible.’
‘The what?’ asked Bernard.
‘That’s what I thought. What I actually said, though, was of course we were. Then I rushed back here, read Sections 27-34 of the HET manual and found out that we needed to do a Risk Assessment . . .’
He handed Maitland the top file.
‘And inform the NHS High Risk and Vulnerable People Virus Team.’
A second file was passed across.
‘And ensure that the Defaulter File is updated with all the relevant information about how long she’s been up the duff, etc, etc.’
The third file was shoved under Maitland’s chin. He dropped the files onto the nearest desk, which happened to be Bernard’s. ‘But I don’t know how to fill in any of this stuff.’
‘That’s why I’ve given you all the guidance to read first.’
Maitland kicked Bernard’s desk. ‘I should be out there looking for Colette not dealing with this crap.’
His boss held up his hands. ‘I don’t make the rules, I just file the paperwork. Make a start now and you should be done by teatime.’ He turned to Bernard. ‘And you and Mona, in my office now. I’m expecting a visitor.’
With impeccable timing, Mona had appeared at the door.
‘Be right there, Guv.’
‘How did you get on with Amanda?’ Bernard asked.
‘Never mind that, Bernard, guess who I just saw in Reception?’
‘Marguerite?’
‘No!’ Her question was answered by the appearance of Doctor Toller, immaculately dressed as always, and carrying a bundle of papers.
The German nodded to them, before disappearing into Paterson’s office. Bernard and Mona exchanged a look, then both got to their feet and followed him. Their boss was installed behind his desk, and Toller fitted himself neatly into the orange plastic chair.
‘Good news, chaps,’ said Paterson. ‘Heidi has made contact.’
‘Really?’ said Mona, surprise showing in both her look and tone. ‘Where is she?’
Doctor Toller took a moment before answering. ‘She’s in Germany.’ He didn’t lift his eyes from the file resting on his knees.
‘In Germany?’
‘Yes.’ Toller continued to flick through the file without looking up. ‘We received an e-mail from her saying she had returned to Germany and wished to have some peace and quiet. She indicated she would move back here when she felt happier.’
‘But she can’t be in Germany,’ said Mona. ‘You have her passport.’
The three of them looked at Toller, who still did not look up from his papers.
‘I do not have Heidi’s passport.’
‘You do!’ Mona looked to him and Paterson for backup. ‘At our first meeting you said you had it. Herr Weber mentioned it as well.’
Toller’s gaze moved from his knees to the roof of the office, without stopping at their faces en route. He continued staring over their heads. ‘I said no such thing.’
‘But . . .’
‘Mona.’
Bernard could hear a warning tone in Paterson’s voice.
‘Doctor Toller has told you he doesn’t have Heidi’s passport.’
Bernard raised his hand. ‘Actually, Mr Paterson, I’m pretty sure that . . .’
Toller got to his feet. ‘I will remain at The George Hotel until tomorrow, but I do not anticipate that you will need to speak to me again.’
‘She’s not in Germany.’ Despite her boss’s warning, Mona was standing her ground. ‘You know it and I know it. Christ, even Bernard could work out that much.’
‘Thanks,’ Bernard muttered.
‘Every moment we’re wasting here, Heidi is in danger. Guv,’ she turned to Paterson, ‘we need to get Police Scotland in on this.’
Paterson opened his mouth to speak but closed it again when Toller stood up.
‘You think I don’t care what happens to Heidi?’ The German spat the words out. ‘You think she’s just some statistic to me? I’ve known Heidi all her life. Jens Weber and I were at university together. I’ve spent holidays, Christmases, with her. She grew up playing with my children. You think I would endanger her life by pretending that she is safe when she is not?’
Mona stepped in between Toller and the door. ‘Heidi is not in Germany.’
Toller shook his head in disgust. Paterson jerked his head at Mona and reluctantly, she stepped out of the way. The Toller took the opportunity to leave, but as the door closed behind him, Mona renewed her protests.
‘He’s lying, Guv.’
Bernard nodded his agreement.
‘I know,’ Paterson said quietly.
Mona slammed her hand down on Paterson’s desk. ‘So, why did you let him go?’
He looked at Mona’s hand, raising an eyebrow. She had the good sense to move it.
‘What am I supposed to do? It’s a diplomatic matter. If he wants to pretend that Heidi is alive and well and living in Bavaria, and her parents, and all the agencies involved want to play along with that, there is nothing we can do. SHEP have already agreed to German health services taking over. Case closed for us.’
‘Until her body turns up somewhere on our patch.’
He pointed a finger at her. ‘On Police Scotland’s patch, you mean.’
Bernard’s phone rang. He left Mona and Paterson arguing and stepped outside to answer it.
‘Hi, it’s Marcus here.’
He closed the door behind him as quietly as he could. ‘How are you doing?’
‘Great. How’s the hunt for your young German going?’
Bernard grunted into the phone.
‘That good, eh?’ His phone laughed. ‘Well, this might cheer you up. Have you seen today’s news? But, what am I saying – you’re a Sports Science graduate, of course you haven’t read the paper.’
‘I read the Guardian every day, actu
ally.’
‘A complex man of hidden depths. I like that. Anyway, check out the article on page nine – is that Heidi’s dad?’
Bernard hung up without waiting to say goodbye. He dug his unread paper out from under his desk and spread it across his desk.
He flicked to page nine, the International News section of the paper. His eye was immediately caught by a small picture of Jens Weber under the headline ‘German minister in call girl scandal.’ The article detailed Weber’s involvement with a ring of high-class prostitutes, a story which had apparently gripped the whole of Berlin. In light of the scandal Herr Weber was standing down as a member of the Bundestag. As Bernard would have anticipated, his wife was standing by him.
‘Poor Heidi,’ he said to no-one in particular. He looked up as the door to Paterson’s office was slammed.
‘Mona?’
‘Not now, Bernard.’
‘Mona! You really have to see this.’
Impatiently, she glanced at the article he was pointing at. Bernard read the headline aloud. ‘“German Minister in Call Girl Scandal”.’
Mona looked at him. ‘No, not Heidi’s . . .’
‘Oh yeah.’ Bernard grinned. ‘Heidi’s dad. Herr Weber.’
‘No!’
She read the article silently, then looked at Bernard.
‘This does mean that Heidi would have had a good reason to go into hiding,’ he said. ‘I mean, if she knew this was all about to kick off I can’t blame her for heading to the hills. Pretty embarrassing, your dad getting up to all that.’
‘You think Herr Weber knew that the Press were about to publish this when we spoke to him? He’d need to have some nerve.’
‘It would explain why Toller wanted everything dealt with quickly and quietly.’
Mona laughed, mirthlessly. ‘Nothing Doctor Toller does is obvious.’ She sat on the edge of his desk. ‘Bernard, did anything strike you as odd in there?’
‘You mean apart from Herr Doktor Toller lying his arse off?’
‘I mean about the way he lied.’
‘I don’t get you.’ Whatever test Mona was giving him, he was failing. ‘We said “you have her passport” and he said “oh no I don’t.”’
‘But he knows that he already told all three of us that he had it. He knows we know he’s lying.’ She made a complicated hand movement to emphasise her point. ‘He could have made up some story, said she travelled on a fake passport, or something.’