by Alex Clare
‘She made inane remarks and smoked. Having her in the house was not helping the situation.’
Robyn tilted her head. ‘I’m sorry, Ms Chivers. Would you like me to arrange another liaison officer?’
‘I do not want anyone else in my house.’
‘Of course.’ If Melissa was like this all the time, it explained some of Gillian’s nerves. ‘To update you then, the detailed searches have finished in the town centre and we are now focusing on the Docks area. Has anyone contacted you about Benjamin since he disappeared – any calls, emails?’
Melissa’s expression didn’t change. ‘No one, other than journalists. I should like to know where they got my number from.’ She glanced at Lorraine, who sat with a straight back, echoing the sculpture’s pose.
‘I appreciate they’re a nuisance. A liaison officer can screen phone calls and keep the media away from you.’ Robyn paused while Melissa tapped her phone. ‘Ms Chivers, can you think of anyone who might want to harm …’
Robyn’s phone vibrated, skittering across the glass table top. With a muttered excuse, she turned away to take the call.
‘Hello, Janice.’
‘Robyn, the search teams have found a body.’
11
Robyn stood up. ‘I’m sorry, Ms Chivers, excuse me.’ Wind was blowing into the phone at the other end. ‘Janice, hang on.’ She ducked into the next meeting room, where an angular metal object on the sideboard faced a black and white photo of pylons. Her arms were covered with goose bumps. ‘I was with Ms Chivers, Janice. Go ahead. Where’d you find him?’
‘It’s not Ben.’
‘Are you sure? Have you got an identification?’
‘No, but we can see it’s an adult.’
Robyn slumped into one of the chairs. ‘OK, where was it?’
‘In warehouse B, just as the tip-off said.’
‘Can you tell a cause of death? We’ve had deaths in the Docks before, from alcohol or drugs.’ As she said it, she knew how callous she must sound: a dead tramp or a junkie, nothing to worry about. It was the sort of thing ex-DI Prentiss would have said.
‘Not yet. The body’s been there a while. Forensics are doing their thing now.’
‘OK, I’ll finish up with Ms Chivers and come down.’ Robyn rubbed her arms, cold in the air-conditioning and stepped back along the corridor. Through the glass, she could see Melissa standing in a corner, staring at her phone, ignoring Lorraine’s scrutiny.
Neither spoke as she entered the room. ‘I’m sorry, Ms Chivers. An update from the search teams. I’m afraid there’s still no news about Benjamin.’
For a second, Melissa appeared confused, one hand reaching out to the sideboard, as if for support. ‘I thought you’d found something?’
Robyn wondered if this was the first time Melissa had admitted to herself the danger Ben might be in. ‘They found the body of an adult in one of the warehouses at the Docks.’ Lorraine raised one eyebrow.
‘Who was it?’ Melissa’s voice was little more than a whisper.
‘We don’t know yet. There’s no immediate indication of any connection to Benjamin’s disappearance but we will of course keep you informed.’
‘So where is he then?’ With two quick steps, Melissa was standing in front of Robyn, almost touching.
Robyn caught a waft of Melissa’s perfume. Her shoulders were back, which drew the eye down the tendons of her neck to the hints of skin visible through the lace front of her blouse. If this tactic worked on men, it wasn’t working on Robyn. ‘I’m afraid we don’t know yet, Ms Chivers. I wanted to ask you whether you would do an appeal for information. We have the press coming to the police station at one o’clock.’
Melissa continued to stare at Robyn for a second. She took a step back. ‘You want me to sob on television, to make people feel sorry for me?’ She scowled. ‘I shouldn’t have to do this.’
Swallowing, Robyn tried to relax the tension in her jaw before she spoke. ‘I know this is hard, Ms Chivers. If my daughter were missing …’
‘You have children?’ The words were ground out, Melissa’s face creasing. ‘Someone like you is given the gift of a child?’
Lorraine half-rose from her chair. On automatic, Robyn made a calming gesture, which wasn’t lost on Melissa, who smiled for the first time, a professional rearrangement of her face with no room for warmth. She opened the door.
‘I will do the appeal, because, God willing, someone else will be competent. I think you had better go. Your junior seems in danger of getting upset.’ She held the door open. ‘I am not happy with the way this investigation is being run and will be seeking professional advice. The exit is to your left.’
Behind her back, Robyn dug her nails into her palm to keep herself calm. ‘Ms Chivers, we need to know–’ Melissa closed the door behind them and sat down, her back to the glass wall.
Left in the corridor, she was surprised to see Lorraine looking as close as she got to sheepish.
‘Might have been my fault she lashed out, Guv. Hate to say I told you so, that was just as I expected.’
‘What did you say to her when I was out of the room?’
Before Lorraine could answer, a figure appeared at the top of the corridor. Robyn found her hand being clasped by a tie-less man with sandy hair.
‘Ah, officers. Mark Rutherford, senior partner. The team told me you were here and I just wanted to assure you the firm will do everything it can to support the investigation and bring Benjamin back.’ He shook Lorraine’s hand and began talking again, balancing the contact between them. ‘I trust the investigation is going well? Right, I’m sure you are very busy.’ His cologne was sharp in the chilled air. ‘So good to have been able to speak to you. Good morning.’
After a further vigorous handshake each, Rutherford held out his arm towards the reception door where an older brunette smiled as she held open the door. Catching Lorraine’s eye and nodding towards the woman, Robyn turned to Rutherford.
‘Thank you, sir, very encouraging. It would be useful to take a few moments of your time now if it’s convenient?’
‘Ah, well, yes, of course.’ Rutherford’s positive expression didn’t slip though his voice was less welcoming. ‘I’m sure I have a few minutes. Come in.’
As Lorraine walked out with the receptionist, Robyn followed Rutherford into a conference room, watching Rutherford hitch up each trouser leg before sitting.
‘Now, officer, what can I do for you? Derby and Rutherford is always happy to support the police …’
No, Robyn breathed, he’s surely not going to say he plays golf with someone?
‘Indeed, as I was saying to Superintendent Fell at the town hall recently, a sign of a thriving community is when firms work in harmony with the police.’
Robyn tried to imagine this urbane man with the expensive aftershave lasting more than a few seconds in Fell’s presence. Rutherford seemed the sort who’d despise anyone wearing a man-made fibre. His glance got to her frumpy, rubber-soled shoes and there was a definite sneer.
‘Thank you, sir. I’m Detective Inspector Bailley and I’m leading the hunt for Benjamin. Your support is appreciated. I’d like to ask you about Melissa Chivers. She’s going through a terrible ordeal and we want to spare her questioning as much as possible.’
‘Of course, of course. How can I help?’ The palms were spread upwards, gold cuff-links catching the light.
‘Thank you. Can you confirm how long Melissa Chivers has worked for you?’
‘Let’s see, it must be almost five years.’
‘Did she become partner straight away?’
Rutherford steepled his fingers. ‘No, she came to us as a principal solicitor the year before my father retired. When I took sole charge of the firm as none of Derby’s children wanted a role, I had the opportunity to restructure and I promoted Melissa to a partnership.’
‘And this was before Ms Chivers had Ben? Have you noticed any change in her since?’
Rutherford leaned
back in his chair. ‘Now, inspector, how am I supposed to answer? Derby and Rutherford believes in diversity and opportunity for all. Melissa’s a capable lawyer and is professional enough to manage all her responsibilities. I don’t know what you are trying to get me to say.’
‘Did Ms Chivers change her hours or areas of work once she had Ben?’
‘I was a touch surprised when she announced she was pregnant.’ Rutherford began to twist the heavy gold band on his ring finger. ‘But she continued to manage her workload and was back at work full-time within two weeks of his birth. Are you aware she should be moving to Switzerland to set up a new office for us in a month’s time? We have a lot of clients based in Europe with interests in UK property so she was the obvious choice. Those plans are now on hold, of course.’
‘Of course. And do you have any impressions of Ms Chivers’ home and family life? Did you, for example, meet her partner at any time?’
Rutherford chuckled. ‘No. The days of doing business in each other’s houses over canapés rather went out with my father. She does pro bono work for a charity, which is fully declared, as required and I’m aware of one criminal case resulting from the work she did on behalf of a tenant, all fully documented. Otherwise, I’ve never asked about her private life, any more than she’s asked about mine.’
‘Thank you. No, of course. I would be interested in the details of the case, to help us eliminate all possibilities regarding Ben’s abduction. Was yesterday meant to be a normal day for Ms Chivers?’
‘Surely, inspector, there’s no suggestion Melissa’s involved in her son’s disappearance?’
‘None at all, sir. However, we’re pursuing a lead connected with work Ms Chivers is doing for properties in the Docks. Are you aware of any concerns she had?’
Rutherford’s eyes stayed locked into Robyn’s. ‘No. As you can imagine, we vet all our clients before we agree to work with them. In this industry, a firm’s reputation is everything.’
‘But the company working on the Docks development is registered offshore I believe, sir?’
‘Inspector, you may not have noticed in the police force but not many people in the UK have any money at the moment.’ Rutherford’s face creased with amusement. ‘The firm’s a legitimate company, which happens to be registered outside the UK. For this type of property deal, the market is international. Now, is there anything else?’
Robyn caught a hint of irritation in his voice. She held his gaze. ‘Are you aware of any threats or complaints against Melissa Chivers?’
‘None.’ He jabbed his finger into the desk for emphasis. ‘We deal in commercial property, land and shipping. We do not have a criminal practice and we do not associate with criminals. If anyone had a complaint against Melissa, they would contact me as senior partner or the Law Society. I’ve never had any complaints because Melissa’s a first-rate lawyer with a strong sense of integrity. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a client meeting.’ He stood up.
Robyn took her time rising. ‘Just one more question, sir; does your firm do any work for a local family called Dearman?’
‘Unless you have a specific legal reason for these enquiries, I cannot breach client confidentiality. I’m sorry to have been of so little help, inspector.’ He opened the door and gestured to the corridor. ‘I will arrange for the details of the case to be sent over and I trust the rest of the investigation goes better.’
The original receptionist was waiting, swivelling from one heel to the other. To see what would happen, Robyn gave her a cheery smile, which wasn’t returned. In reception, Lorraine was lounging on one of the low sofas, reading the Gazette. Ben’s face stared out from the front page.
12
The chilled air was replaced by grimy heat and a smell of diesel as they left the office. Back in the car, Lorraine stretched in the seat.
‘So are we going down to look at this body, Guv?’
Robyn swung the car out of the space. ‘I need to check the necessary is underway but it doesn’t sound as if the death is recent. Finding Ben is the priority.’ That covered either him or his body.
‘Of course.’ Lorraine grinned. ‘Well, I don’t know how you got on, Guv, but the older receptionist, Cathy, had a lot to get off her chest. On reception, she sees everything.’
‘But nobody pays her any attention?’
‘Exactly. She seemed glad to have someone take an interest and had plenty to say, like when Ms Chivers announced she was pregnant it wasn’t long after Christmas so she speculated whether the turkey baster got used a lot.’
They both laughed. Robyn checked the mirror before turning. The bags under her eyes were highlighted by a smudge of mascara. She told herself to focus on the road and listen to what Lorraine was saying.
‘Now, take Mark Rutherford. Cathy’s worked for the firm for thirty years so, to her, he isn’t the real Mr Rutherford – she preferred his father. Since young Mark has taken over, he’s been bringing things “up to date”, which also means Cathy spends lots of time training up replacement receptionists, who all seem to be blonde.’
Robyn decided the route through town should be clear at this time of day. ‘Rutherford’s interesting. His promised co-operation was selective.’
‘Sounds like there’s a lot you didn’t get told, Guv. From my chat, there are a number of female, ex-employees with a grudge against Rutherford.’
They stopped at a zebra crossing, a boy of Ben’s age toddling across his hand gripped by an older woman. ‘Maybe Rutherford put pressure on Ms Chivers? He tried to come across all enlightened new man but if he’d just made her a partner and she gets pregnant, wouldn’t he feel stupid?’
Lorraine snorted. ‘I believe that’s why we women have equality legislation to support us. Ma’am.’
Robyn gathered her thoughts. The first was that she was an idiot. ‘Lorraine, I’m sorry.’ She banged the steering wheel in frustration. ‘There’s so much happening at the moment, I’m not thinking about what I’m saying.’
They were stuck behind a battered Volvo, parked a foot from the kerb outside a newsagent with its hazard lights on. A pot-bellied man in a Meresbourne Town away strip took a bite from an ice-cream as he got into the driver’s seat.
‘Can I get him, Guv? Can I? I could do with boosting my statistics.’ Lorraine grabbed the door handle.
‘If you’ve got any spare time, you can run the registration and see if he’s got tax and insurance. But don’t be too harsh on him – do you know how many Town supporters bother to travel to away games?’
Lorraine giggled as the car in front belched smoke and jerked away. They turned onto the main road running the length of the docks. In one of its regular articles on anti-social behaviour, the half mile of straight road had been nicknamed ‘Dock Drag’ by the Gazette.
Robyn eased the car over the speed bumps, ears pitched for any scrape. ‘These new humps are ridiculous. You’d think the speed cameras would be enough.’
‘First you stop me arresting a traffic offender, now, you’re saying we shouldn’t prevent kids from racing stolen cars. They just laughed at the speed cameras. You’re going soft, Guv.’
‘What did you say to Ms Chivers while I was out of the room?’ Robyn wasn’t in the mood. ‘Come on. When I came back, the atmosphere was hostile. What did you say to her?’
‘I asked her why she’d had a child in the first place if she cared so little about finding him that she wouldn’t tell us his father’s name.’ Lorraine’s voice was flat.
‘Ah. And what did Ms Chivers say?’
‘She sucked herself in tight and told me I was unnatural if I didn’t want kids as it’s our duty to give children to God.’
‘And then what?’ Robyn was imagining the potential call to Fell.
‘And then I asked her for the name of Ben’s father.’
‘How did she react?’
‘Oh, she got all huffy but some of what I said got through. She insisted there was no possibility the father knew about Ben. I must have look
ed sceptical because she added, even if he did know, he wouldn’t be interested. Then you came back.’ Lorraine rubbed her nose. ‘I can see what both Graham and Janice mean, though. I think Chivers loves Ben but it’s on her terms. She’d kill for him if he were threatened but she won’t do anything to risk softening him. She’s invested too much to raise a weakling.’
Robyn wrinkled her nose. ‘Janice said a similar thing. What I’d like to know is whether Ms Chivers planned to get pregnant in the first place?’
They approached a cluster of police vehicles. As the car bumped onto the kerb, Lorraine stretched back against her seat belt, staring upwards. ‘I think, for all her ambition, biology kicked in and Chivers realised she was thirty-five without a baby. It became one of those things where you want something so much it takes over and you can’t think about anything else because whatever you try to do all ends up coming back to this one thing. Does that make any sense?’
It was a good summary of most of Robyn’s life. ‘I understand.’
‘So Chivers decided she wanted a child and she’s used to getting what she wants. The only question is, who was good enough to be the father?’
Robyn’s seatbelt slipped through her too-long fingernails and clattered back. ‘Exactly what we need to find out.’
Together, they walked across uneven concrete towards the warehouse. On the security fence, a locked padlock hung from a chopped chain. Halfway up the dark brick wall, a buddleia bush sprouted from a crack. One of the doors under the stone arches had been broken open. Inside, the air became harder to breathe. Dust floated through the beams of the mobile lamps, settling on clothes and equipment. Camera flashes cut through the murk. Robyn and Lorraine followed the trodden path across the debris-strewn floor to where Graham stood next to an untidy pile of corrugated roofing sheets. Drifts of dust swirled up with every step.
‘Afternoon. We’ve got a new doc.’ Graham seemed miffed his network hadn’t told him beforehand. ‘Because Doc Drummond’s getting on a bit, he’s going to stick to lab work now so we’ve got a new lad.’ He pointed to a deep recess in the floor. ‘He’s down there with the body.’