He's Gone

by Alex Clare

  Khalid tossed the paper towards the bin, the ball bouncing on the rim and rolling across the floor. ‘Well, as you’re such a good detective, why don’t you just catch the burglar? Oh and haven’t you got a murderer as well? Either would do.’

  There was a gentle knock and a constable stuck her head around the door. ‘Ma’am? There’s a lady for you in reception, a Mrs Green.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She turned to Khalid. ‘I’d better get down there.’

  Khalid screwed up his face.

  In reception, Gillian Green sat perched on the edge of one of the plastic chairs, leaning away from the girl on the next seat who tapped a phone with tattooed fingers. As Robyn entered, Gillian stood up checking her hairpins.

  ‘Hello, Mrs Green, we’re all delighted Ben’s safe and well. Please come through.’

  Gillian bit her lip. ‘Is he …’ Her eyes held an appeal.

  ‘He’s fine.’ Better than when you had him, Robyn wanted to add.

  Gillian swallowed. ‘Who took him?’

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t tell you. We need to complete the case first.’

  The interview room door opened. Ben cooed and wriggled out from the arms of a constable. Gillian met him in an awkward hug halfway across the room before she stood him up on a seat, exclaiming at the mismatched clothes. ‘You gave me such a fright. Where have you been?’

  As Ben stretched for her neck again, she stepped back, pulling a set of baby-reins from her handbag. ‘Now, I’ve got to get you home because you almost lost me my job. And you’ve got to wear these, to make sure you don’t run away again.’

  ‘I’ll come back with you, Mrs Green, to make sure there are no problems with journalists. I’d also like to speak to Ms Chivers.’ Robyn held the door open.

  The constable bent to hug Ben as he struggled against the unfamiliar restraint. Gillian pulled him back after a second, appearing anxious to be gone. ‘Come along. We’ve got to get you home.’

  Ben began to whimper.

  Outside, Robyn held the door open for Gillian. She stared for a second, open-mouthed in the camera flashes, then grabbed Ben and hurried to her car. Robyn kept pace, shielding her as much as possible. There was a perverse enjoyment in not being the one the photographers wanted to see.

  Once on the road, Robyn kept glancing to the rear view mirror to check for anyone following. Journalists wanting to get to the house first would have an easy job as Gillian was a cautious driver. From the ring road, she indicated right towards the business park and Melissa’s office. Robyn was pleasantly surprised until Gillian sailed past the turning, indicator still on. Robyn followed the blinking light for a mile before Gillian’s car turned left, towards Upper Town.

  At the top of the hill, Robyn abandoned her car across a driveway, hurried to the house then had to loiter at the gate, scanning the street until Gillian appeared.

  ‘Can you take him while I get my keys?’ Gillian shoved Ben into Robyn’s arms and opened her handbag.

  Robyn hitched Ben up and smiled into the small face. ‘Going home. Yes, going home.’

  Ben’s nose was inches from hers. ‘Ganda.’

  ‘No, not Granddad; Mummy.’ Ben screwed his fists into his eyes and started to sob.

  Gillian froze, door open, one foot on the step. ‘What did you say?’

  To soothe Ben, Robyn jiggled him, the way Martin had done. When Gillian didn’t move, Robyn raised her voice. ‘Mrs Green, I suggest we get inside, in case any journalists are nearby.’

  With a fearful look up the street, Gillian turned and headed for the kitchen.

  Robyn followed, carrying a weepy Ben against her shoulder. ‘Where’s Ms Chivers?’

  ‘She’ll be in a meeting until at least six. She sent me a text. I’ve got to do a protein-rich evening meal and make sure Benjamin gets his supplements.’ Gillian put her bag down on the counter and reached into a cupboard, pulling out a series of tubs. ‘He’ll need his nutrients, there’s no knowing what he’s been eating.’ She began mixing powders with a measure of thick, green liquid from a bottle in the fridge. ‘So here are vitamins and kelp extract and you’ve got everything you need to become a big, strong boy.’ The sloppy mixture was transferred into a beaker. She pointed to one of the stools and Robyn deposited Ben, who wriggled and jerked, coming close to falling as he twisted his body away from the bottle, green goo spilling down his front.

  ‘Now what has got into you?’ Gillian swept a cloth over his face.

  ‘Do you need anything else, Mrs Green?’ Robyn moved to the door.

  ‘Why did he say “Granddad”? Does he have another family?’ Gillian wrung out the cloth, knuckles white.

  Robyn smiled to soften the words. ‘Again, I’m afraid I can’t tell you.’ She continued before Gillian could speak. ‘Oh, I forgot, he was given a ball.’ She bent to Ben. ‘Your blue ball. Shall I fetch the ball for you? Shall I?’ She nodded to Gillian. ‘It’s just in the car.’

  ‘A ball?’ Gillian blinked several times, before her face closed in on itself. ‘No, we couldn’t have a ball here. A ball is not educational.’ She bit her lip. ‘Ms Chivers was so kind and kept my job open for me. I have to make sure I do everything she expects.’

  ‘It’s a ball. Kids like balls.’ Robyn’s nails were digging into her palms.

  ‘No, it’s out of the question.’ Gillian turned to Ben. ‘Now, you need to be in your school uniform for when your mother gets home because she’ll want to see you’ve started your studies again, won’t she?’

  Gillian marched Ben upstairs. From the hallway, Robyn caught a shadow crossing the glass of the front door. A couple of quick steps and she opened it. Pressed up against the front window was a man with a camera, who took a picture of Robyn then ran for the gate. Robyn’s phone rang. The display flashed up “Josh”.

  She turned back into the house. ‘Mrs Green? I have to go now. There are journalists outside so I’ll get someone from Family Liaison round.’ The satisfaction she was both doing her duty and would be annoying Melissa Chivers didn’t last long. She closed the front door and answered her phone.

  ‘Hello, Josh, it’s DI Bailley from Meresbourne police station. I work with your mother and she gave me your number.’

  ‘Right. Yeah, Dad left a message, said I had to call you. What’s going on? He’s not answering his phone?’

  Robyn set off back to the car, scanning the road for the photographer. ‘Your father asked me to call you as he couldn’t tell you himself. Are you in a place where you can talk?’ There was chatter in the background.

  ‘Yeah. What’s happening?’

  ‘You need to come home to Meresbourne as soon as possible.’ Robyn reached her car.

  ‘Has something happened to Mum?’ His voice rose. ‘Keep it down, guys.’

  Robyn slid into the driver’s seat. Better to get straight to it. ‘Have you seen the news about a toddler disappearing in Meresbourne?’

  A figure appeared outside the car window, mouthing something. Laughter came through the phone, then a faint voice. ‘You’re breaking up. What did you say?’

  ‘Josh have you seen the news about Meresbourne?’ The knocking on the window was becoming more insistent.

  ‘Can’t hear you, bro.’

  The red-faced man opened the car door. ‘Do you realise you’re blocking my driveway?’

  ‘Can’t hear you.’

  ‘I’m sorry about the obstruction, sir, I’ll be gone in a few minutes.’

  ‘You’ve got to go now. I need to pick up my wife.’

  ‘What’s going on, mate?’

  ‘Josh, have you seen the news about Meresbourne?’

  ‘You move this car or I’ll call the police.’

  ‘Sir, I suggest you take a less aggressive attitude.’

  ‘Who’s being aggressive? You told me to ring you.’

  ‘Don’t tell me what to do. You’re the one parked where you shouldn’t be.’

  There appeared to be a space on the other side of the road. Robyn started th
e engine.

  ‘Driving with a phone is illegal you know. I’m going to call the police.’

  ‘Sir, I am a police officer.’ Robyn reached for her warrant card, before remembering it was still in Roger’s name. ‘Josh, sorry, I’ve got to call you back in a couple of minutes.’

  ‘Well if you’re the police, why don’t you do something useful, like stop lunatics on mountain bikes riding on the pavement and nearly knocking people over?’

  Robyn closed the window and left the angry little man in sole charge of his driveway. From the other side of the road, she called Josh. The phone rang for a long time.

  ‘You. What’s going on?’

  ‘Josh, I’m sorry about …’

  ‘You’re having a laugh.’

  ‘Josh, have you seen the news?’

  ‘Yeah, right, I’m in Cornwall on a beach, I’m watching the news all day.’

  ‘Josh, I’m afraid it’s bad news. You need to come back to Meresbourne because your parents have been arrested.’

  ‘Bullshit. I don’t believe you.’

  ‘They took a toddler from a shopping centre.’

  ‘No way. Mum’s a copper.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Josh, it’s true. I found the child at their house this morning.’

  ‘Yeah, right. I don’t know what kind of sick pervert you are but you are talking bullshit.’

  The car from across the road nosed out, the man gesturing at Robyn as he passed. ‘Josh. The child is your son. Melissa Chivers had your child.’

  ‘What the …’

  A series of thumps, then no sound from the line.

  ‘Josh? Josh, are you still there?’ Robyn checked the phone, full signal. ‘Josh?’

  ‘Yeah, I just had to get outside. What …’ Josh broke off.

  ‘You had a relationship with Melissa Chivers in December, three years ago, yes?’

  ‘I didn’t think she’d tell anyone.’ Josh mumbling as if he were talking to himself.

  ‘She didn’t tell anyone but your mother worked it out. His name’s Ben. He was born nine months after your relationship.’

  ‘She was like all over me for two weeks, then blanked me.’ Josh’s voice was rising.

  ‘And your parents hadn’t told you she’d had your child?’

  ‘No!’

  Robyn found herself tapping the door frame. ‘But now everyone is going to know and your parents need help. You need to come back to Meresbourne as soon as you can.’

  ‘You know I’m in Cornwall? I got a lift down. We’re not coming back for another week.’

  She began tapping the dashboard because it made a louder noise. ‘Well, can you get a train?’ There was no answer again. ‘Josh, your parents need you.’

  Someone yelled in the background. Josh answered them; Robyn couldn’t catch the words. ‘Like, I’ve got to think about this …’

  Robyn gripped the phone tighter, trying to keep him on the line. ‘Josh, you’ll get journalists calling you – don’t answer any questions.’ He’d hung up.

  She thumped the passenger seat, the sleeve of the blouse protesting at the unusual movement. She wanted to do something. A large part of her wanted to go to Derby and Rutherford, march into whichever over-designed icebox Melissa Chivers was in and tell her she didn’t deserve Ben back. A wild thought was to find a number for Liz Trew at the Journal but the small practical voice at the back of her mind, who sounded a lot like Roger, told her Trew and Chivers would probably get on like a house on fire. Another part wanted to meet Ady in a pub and tell him all about Ms Chivers and her odd views. Apart from the pub bit, the idea wasn’t such a bad one. She checked her contacts.

  ‘Ady Clarke.’

  ‘Hi, Ady, it’s Robyn. How are you?’

  ‘Robyn? Oh, Robyn! Hi. Yes, I’m fine, thanks, fine. And you?’

  ‘Fine. I owe you a favour. I know you’re going to be busy with Ben’s discovery but if you want another angle, you might want to check out Melissa Chivers’ church and links to crimes in the States.’

  ‘Thanks.’ There was surprise in Ady’s voice. ‘Why are you telling me this? Are you saying someone from the church took Ben?’

  Robyn leaned back, trying to stretch the tension out of her neck. ‘Let’s just say, they have some extreme ideas about raising children.’

  ‘OK, thanks, I’ll look into it. Why don’t I buy you that drink and we can–’

  ‘I’ve got to go.’ Cutting off Ady’s voice, Robyn started the engine.

  29

  Robyn drove back to the police station without putting the radio on until the pool car’s unfamiliar noises became too distracting. The one o’clock local news featured Khalid, giving wise words about child safety.

  In the incident room, the team huddled in one corner. There didn’t seem to be a lot of work going on. The only person at a screen was Ravi, reading out tweets. ‘Ouch. Don’t want ones like this. Bitch shud get hunged for taking a kiddie.’

  Robyn put down her handbag.

  Ravi pointed at the screen. ‘Finally, a good one. Little Ben safe & no one harmed him. Nothing else important.’

  The door opened. The team sat up straighter when they realised it was Fell. Behind him, a man in a pale grey suit stooped to pass through the doorway. Robyn stood and waited for the introduction. With Professional Standards carrying out an investigation in the station, there would now be someone who would attract more attention than her.

  Fell cleared his throat. ‘DI Lance Farnham of the Professional Standards team, DI Robyn Bailley.’

  Robyn shook Lance’s bony hand.

  From the doorway, Fell glanced around. ‘I will leave you to it, DI Farnham. Please let Tracey know if there is anything you require.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Bailley, do you know where Josh Warrener is now?’

  ‘He’s in Cornwall. I got through to him about half an hour ago and told him the facts. He was shocked. He didn’t know about Ben and said he needed time to think. I warned him not to speak to journalists.’

  Fell nodded. ‘I am meeting the PCC for the rest of the morning. Please keep me updated.’

  Robyn introduced the team and Lance shook each hand with the same solemn courtesy and minimal words. When it was Graham’s turn, Robyn thought she saw a slight narrowing of Lance’s eyes, gone in a second. Graham gave no indication he recognised Lance and Robyn filed it as a question for another day, settling herself to complete her statement.

  ‘DI Bailley? Are you free now?’ At least Lance had the courtesy to frame it as a question Robyn thought as they stepped together into the lift. She could see his distorted reflection in the steel doors; his lips were pursed to whistle, though no sound emerged. Her stomach rumbled; she hoped the noise of the lift disguised it.

  As they passed the canteen, the smell of food made Robyn’s stomach protest again. ‘Where are we going?’

  Lance led her out into the car park. ‘I need you to be present when I interview DC Warrener. My car’s over there.’

  Robyn stopped for a second, then hurried down the steps to keep up. ‘You might have let me know.’ She hadn’t expected this to happen and needed to find out how much Lance suspected: the interview would be a test for her as well as Janice.

  Lance didn’t appear to be listening. The driver’s seat was as far back as it could go: he probably wouldn’t fit into most cars. The interior was spotless, a sat-nav on the dashboard.

  Lance clicked his phone into its holder. ‘I’ve listened to your interview with Martin Warrener.’ He took his time releasing the handbrake. ‘Do you really believe he wasn’t aware beforehand?’

  Robyn stiffened, choosing her words with care. ‘I know Janice. She’s always thinking of others. I think it’s likely she didn’t say anything because she’d checked and found out Josh’s paternity wasn’t recorded, meaning there’d be nothing they could do. She wanted to tell Josh face-to-face, then before she could do that, she met Ben by chance.’ She paused. Lance was still an unknown quantity and so she needed to be careful.


  There was no immediate reaction. Lance was pre-occupied with manoeuvring the car out of the car park.

  ‘Can you direct me?’

  Robyn wondered why Lance needed directions when he had a satnav, then noticed the red light on the phone. If Lance was recording the conversation, the sat-nav’s interruptions would disturb the playback. ‘Yes, of course. Take the third exit from the roundabout, where the bus is going.’

  ‘Tell me about your relationship with DC Warrener.’ Lance wasn’t looking at her but, if there was a sound recorder in the car, why not a camera too? Robyn made an effort to relax her shoulders, hands loose in her lap.

  ‘Janice has reported to me since I took the DI role in Meresbourne two years ago. She’s a meticulous officer, always very supportive of her colleagues. You need to be in the right-hand lane.’

  ‘I understand your relationship is very close.’

  At least there was no innuendo in the tone. Robyn looked across but Lance’s gaze stayed on the road. She coughed. ‘I’ve known Janice since I started on the force.’

  ‘Describe how DC Warrener conducted herself during this investigation.’ Lance slowed, allowing a car to pull in front of them.

  Robyn calculated how far she could protest. The more she wound Lance up, the worse the outcome could be for Janice. They were still waiting to get onto the roundabout. Opportunities came and went. Behind them, someone hooted. Lance waited until the road was clear before edging forward and taking the Gaddesford turn.

  Robyn made her decision. ‘DI Farnham, I don’t appreciate you treating me like an idiot or recording me without warning. I know why you’re here and I’m happy to answer all your questions. You don’t have to try to trick me.’

  Lance’s fingers tightened on the wheel. ‘I just wonder how you could have missed this happening right under your nose.’

  After what felt like a long time in silence, they pulled into the driveway of the police house in Gaddesford. As they got out of the car, Robyn tried a more conversational tack. ‘I was here only yesterday – a burglary around the corner. Do you do regular investigation work as well?’