Broken Girls: A totally addictive and unputdownable crime thriller (Detective Bernadette Noel Book 2)

by Joy Kluver

  ‘Ah. I have Chloe’s phone. She mentioned WhatsApp when she gave it to me. Wait a minute, it’s on my desk.’

  Bernie grabbed the phone she had put in an evidence bag. ‘Tom, do you mind looking at this?’

  ‘Not at all. Do you want me to wear gloves?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve got some in my drawer.’

  She passed the phone and gloves over to Tom. ‘Have you had any luck on tracking down his IP address?’

  ‘No, he’s a crafty bugger. I think he’s using Tor. I know I’m not a profiler or anything like that, but I do know my technology. I reckon this guy has a big set-up, probably at home. He’ll definitely have multiple computers and monitors. I’m also guessing he has more than one phone. Now, what have we got here?’

  Tom put on the gloves and took the phone out of the bag. ‘Do you have a PIN number?’

  ‘Oh yes, I think Kerry has that. Kerry, what’s the pin code for Chloe’s phone?’

  Kerry looked at a piece of paper. ‘Zero seven zero seven.’

  ‘Is it her birth date by any chance?’ asked Tom. He shook his head. ‘Not very sensible.’

  ‘Not sure,’ said Bernie. ‘Quite possibly.’

  ‘Right. Where’s her WhatsApp? Here we go… quite a lot of chatting on here… Right, this is him, Luke Davidson.’

  Tom scrolled the messages up until he found the first one. Bernie pulled on gloves and took it from him. She started to read the thread.

  ‘Looks similar to the Instagram messages for the moment. Discussing something they watched on TV… now that’s interesting… she’s mentioned EastEnders but he’s replied talking about a character from Coronation Street. She pulls him up on it. He tries to cover it by saying he always gets those two actresses confused.’

  ‘Far more likely he doesn’t know what she’s talking about,’ said Tom.

  ‘That makes sense,’ said Matt. ‘I’m seeing similar things here. He lets them talk about the topic and then gives a brief comment back.’

  Bernie continued to read. ‘He thanks her for her photos. Says how much he enjoyed them.’ She closed her eyes for a moment. ‘Oh God, I hate to think what he’s doing to Laura.’ She started reading again. ‘She asks for a photo back. He says he’s shy, that his profile pic is the only decent one he’s got.’

  ‘Looks a pretty good one to me,’ said Matt. ‘I feel sorry for the real guy.’

  Bernie read on. ‘She’s persistent. She keeps on asking… shit.’

  ‘What?’ asked Tom.

  ‘He sent one. Look.’

  She turned the phone round for them all to see. Kerry came and joined them.

  ‘Oh my God,’ Kerry said. ‘It’s a motorcyclist all in black. What’s written underneath?’

  Bernie flicked down. ‘“Me in my leathers. Looking forward to riding with you one day.” Yuck.’ Bernie shuddered.

  ‘Well at least you’ve got something to show the DCI now. It’s got to be connected with our dead woman,’ said Kerry.

  Bernie rubbed her forehead. ‘The DCI made it very obvious I have to have clear evidence. Kerry, can you get on to Gerald, please, and see if he’s found any more CCTV footage? And check with Salisbury Police if they’ve managed to speak to the bus driver. Tom, can you email that photo to me somehow, please? Matt knows the address. And we could do with getting it printed out too. I want to show this to Ryan Willis.’

  Matt’s desk phone rang.

  ‘MCIT, DC Matt Taylor speaking… oh, yes… OK, she’s right here, I’ll tell her.’

  He put the phone down. ‘Looks like you’ll get your chance now, ma’am. Ryan’s been cleared by the doctor.’

  44

  Ryan had a dressing over his forehead, accentuating his sullen eyes and pale skin. He was sitting on the bed in the cell.

  ‘And the doctor definitely said he was OK to be interviewed?’ Bernie asked Sergeant Alan Turner.

  ‘Yes, gave him a clean bill of health.’

  ‘Stick him in room five then, please. I’ll let the DCI know.’

  Bernie walked away from the cells to make the call to Worth. She had contemplated speaking to Ryan first but knew her commanding officer was watching her, just waiting for her to make one false move.

  ‘Sir, I just thought I’d let you know Ryan Willis is fit for interview and will be going into room five in the next few minutes. Are you happy for me to continue speaking to him with you observing?’

  Worth sighed. ‘Yes, I suppose so. But only in relation to the motorbike race. I will question him further afterwards. And try to keep him in one piece this time.’

  Bernie let the barbed comment go. This was the only chance she was going to get to talk to Ryan.

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  ‘The time is fourteen fifteen hours. This is Detective Inspector Noel resuming interview with Ryan Willis. I’d just like to remind you that you’re still under caution. How are you feeling now, Ryan?’

  The young man looked slowly up at her.

  ‘Got a banging headache. Not really sure what happened.’

  ‘You fainted and hit your head on the table. But don’t worry too much about that now. I’m going to ask you a few more questions but then DCI Worth will be coming in to question you more about your assault on a police officer.’

  Bernie pushed a piece of paper towards him. ‘When we spoke before, you said the motorcyclist you saw at the race was dressed completely in black. Could this be him?’

  Ryan’s eyes flickered across the paper. ‘Don’t know. Could be. Most people tend to look the same when they’re dressed completely in black with a helmet on.’

  ‘Please, Ryan. There are some subtle distinctive features about that jacket. I’m not going to point them out though.’

  Ryan pushed himself forward in his chair and picked up the photo. He looked intently at it.

  ‘It could be. There are some silver buttons on it but they look more for show than for practical reasons. Motorbike jackets are normally zipped up – much easier to do if you’ve got gloves on. I can’t say for certain as it was dark but I do remember something shining when he walked past headlights – it might have been one of the buttons.’

  ‘Ryan, it would really help us, and help you, if you gave us the names of the others at the race. At the moment, this is unsubstantiated. We need more witnesses.’

  Ryan dropped the paper onto the table and shook his head.

  ‘Would it help if I got assurances that you wouldn’t be charged for illegal gambling?’

  Ryan laughed. ‘We barely bet enough to get a Mars bar.’

  ‘Except that last time, Ryan, when something considerably more important than money was exchanged. A young woman is dead. And now a twelve-year-old girl is missing.’ She jabbed her finger at the photo. ‘And we think he may be connected to both. Think carefully, Ryan. Because my DCI isn’t going to be so friendly when he comes to interview you.’

  Ryan’s hand tentatively went to his head. He winced as he touched the dressing.

  ‘Are you OK?’ Bernie asked.

  ‘Yes. It’s itchy where they glued my cut. I’ll give you one name but only one. He’s one of our Polish farm workers.’

  The DCI sent Mick Parris to bring in the farmhand. He made it clear he would take it on from there.

  ‘Thank you, DI Noel. You can go back to your missing girl case.’

  ‘But, sir, I’m sure the two cases are linked.’

  ‘I think we still need more evidence.’

  Bernie narrowed her eyes as he walked away. She couldn’t work Worth out. If the dead woman wasn’t Rosa then Rupert Fox was off the hook and there was no need for him to be so uncooperative over sharing evidence. Except no one knew where the real Rosa was. Was there another body somewhere waiting to be found? Her anger was building but she didn’t want to vent at her officers. There was only one person who could take it – Jane Clackett.

  Jane was furiously typing on her keyboard when Bernie went into Jane’s office.

  ‘God, where did
you learn to type like that?’ Bernie asked.

  ‘A very snobby aunt I used to spend holidays with. She was a PA to a director at a big bank. Told me being able to type properly was the biggest asset a girl could have. Used to make me practise every morning before we could go out anywhere. She was an absolute cow.’

  ‘And was she right? Is typing your biggest asset?’

  Jane lifted her hands off the keyboard and looked up at Bernie. ‘I have far more talents than typing.’ She winked.

  ‘Well, that’s true. How did you get that warrant through so fast?’

  ‘Oh, just one PR person talking to another PR person about murder and abduction and how that might look to the public. Now, what else can I do for you? You look riled.’

  ‘I am. I’m furious with Worth but with myself as well. I should have looked at publicity yesterday. How much has Laura Moffatt had?’

  ‘Well, it went out on local news on Sunday but those bulletins don’t generally have huge viewing figures. It’s gone on local newspapers’ websites but won’t go to press until later in the week. Went on social media. You want a bigger push though.’

  ‘We’ve got to. I think we need to get the family in for a proper press conference.’

  ‘I agree. I was ready to do that on Sunday morning but “someone” didn’t think it was necessary.’

  ‘And I didn’t think to check. I was too busy chasing up leads,’ said Bernie. She was aware she was pacing up and down. ‘How soon can you set it up?’

  ‘We’ve missed the lunchtime slot. How about four p.m.? Should make it then for early evening news. Can you sort out the family?’

  ‘Of course. I’ll deal with them.’

  ‘Oh, is Tom still working with you?’

  ‘Yep. Why?’

  ‘Just having a few issues with my computer.’ The faintest hint of pink appeared on Jane’s cheeks.

  Bernie smiled. ‘It’s not really his remit. And I think I need him more at the moment.’

  ‘I’m not sure it’s fair you get to hog all the good-looking men round here.’

  ‘Ha! I’m not sure we can class old Worthless as good-looking. See you later.’

  Kerry, Matt and Tom were still working when Bernie got back to MCIT.

  ‘I’ve just spoken to Jane Clackett. She’s going to set up a press conference about Laura Moffatt for this afternoon. Ideally, we need to get at least one family member there. I’ll give them a call in a minute. But we need to decide how much information to release.’

  ‘Like, whether we mention Laura’s plans to meet Luke Davidson or not,’ said Matt.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘We should name the bastard,’ said Kerry.

  ‘I think that would be counterproductive,’ said Bernie. ‘He’ll just shut the Instagram account down. What do you think, Tom?’

  He turned round from his computer. ‘I agree. It seems to me you have the perfect opportunity to engage with Luke. You have Chloe’s Instagram details and access to her WhatsApp. Using Chloe as a front, you can chat to him.’

  ‘Wouldn’t that be entrapment?’ asked Matt.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ answered Tom. ‘You wouldn’t be doing this to entice him into committing a crime. You want him to reveal what’s happened to Laura. And by getting him online, I might be able to track him down.’

  Bernie thought for a moment. ‘I probably should check it first with the DCI but that’s a bloody good idea, Tom. Matt, get ready to channel your inner pre-teen girl.’

  ‘What? Why me? Why not Kerry?’

  ‘Because you’re the one who’s been looking at all these messages. You spotted a pattern between them all. You’re good with words. Analyse Chloe’s messages – look for speech patterns. Jot down some ideas. We’ll look to go live after the news this evening.’

  45

  Bernie put the phone down and glanced at her watch. Three o’clock. She had an hour before the press conference.

  ‘Right, that’s Mrs Moffatt sorted for later. Apparently, Craig is coming home today so his father will stay with him. I haven’t met him yet. Have you, Kerry?’

  Kerry looked up.

  ‘Yes, he’s a very quiet, private man. Older than her by a good ten years at least. I did think it a bit strange that he went back to the hospital on Sunday morning to be with his son rather than stay with his wife. Craig’s definitely the golden child. By the way, Salisbury Police have come back to me. They found the bus driver and checked the CCTV. Laura got on the bus at fifteen fifty hours at Potterne. She spent pretty much the whole journey looking out of the window, just occasionally looking at her phone. Although we now know it was the phone Luke gave her.’

  ‘Yes. Tom, where are we up to with mobile phones?’

  Tom turned to face her. ‘Laura’s is still switched off. No idea about the other one she used. Should hear back from the Italian police later or first thing tomorrow about our murder victim’s phone. That’ll hopefully give us a name.’

  The door to MCIT flew open. It was Worth.

  ‘DI Noel, I’ve just heard that you’ve set up a press conference, without consulting me first.’

  Bernie stood to face her senior officer. ‘Sorry, sir. As the lead for this case, I didn’t think I needed to inform you. Plus I know you’re busy.’

  Worth narrowed his eyes. ‘Be careful at this press conference. You’re to talk about Laura and only Laura. By the way, we’ve just charged Ryan Willis with assaulting a police officer and he’s been bailed.’

  ‘Oh. And the farmhand, did he corroborate Ryan’s story about the motorbike race?’

  ‘Yes, to a certain extent. He left early, before Ryan, so I’m keeping young Mr Willis on my radar.’

  It took all of Bernie’s strength not to throw something at the door as Worth went out.

  ‘God, that man makes me so mad.’

  Bernie worked on her statement for the press conference. She deliberately held back on the Instagram details, and focused instead on the café where Laura had last been seen. Kerry found some stills from the CCTV footage.

  At three forty-five p.m., Caroline Moffatt appeared with Jane.

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ said Bernie. ‘There are a few things we need to discuss. When we go in, I’ll read a prepared statement and we’ll have up some pictures of Laura. The last place we’ve tracked her to with CCTV is a café in Salisbury. We’re going to show that as well as the photo you provided of Laura. I’d like you to just say a few words, asking for Laura to come home and then I’ll take some questions from reporters. Don’t be afraid to cry. In fact, there’ll be a box of tissues ready. OK?’

  Caroline Moffatt nodded.

  ‘I gather Craig is coming home. That’s good.’

  Caroline bit her lip and she gave a slight nod. ‘It’s all horrible, though, isn’t it?’

  Bernie put her hand on Caroline’s arm as Kerry appeared. ‘Yes. You remember my colleague, Detective Sergeant Kerry Allen, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Would you like to use the bathroom before you go in? Maybe freshen up a little?’ Kerry asked.

  ‘That might be a good idea. I probably look a right state.’ Caroline walked away with Kerry, her head down.

  ‘So, you’re not going to mention the possible internet grooming?’ said Jane.

  ‘Not for the moment. We need Luke Davidson to stay online if we’re going to have any hope of catching him. We’re going to use Chloe’s accounts to contact him.’

  ‘Risky.’

  ‘I know. But we’ve got to try.’

  Kerry came back with Caroline. ‘I think we’re all ready to go, ma’am.’

  ‘OK. Let’s go in.’

  A small group of local reporters waited for them in the press room. Bernie’s heart sank that there were so few. They desperately needed the coverage. But she wasn’t surprised. Obvious abductions of young children always pulled a crowd, but a twelve-year-old, almost thirteen, leaving home with a bag full of things, didn’t warrant as much attention
. She spotted Clive Bishop from the Salisbury Journal. A local reporter all his life, she wondered if he would give her grief.

  ‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for coming at short notice. In case you don’t know me, I’m Detective Inspector Bernie Noel. I have a statement to give, Mrs Moffatt has a few words to say and then I’ll take some questions.

  ‘On Saturday afternoon, sometime after three p.m., Laura Moffatt left her house and travelled from Potterne to Salisbury by bus. We’ve managed to track her by CCTV to a café, the image should be on the screen. Having spoken to the people who work there, we know that she asked to go out the back way as she said there was a group of girls after her. She left around five twenty-five p.m. We’ve not managed to find her from that point onwards, although we’re still searching.’

  Bernie paused and risked a glance at Caroline Moffatt. Her head was down. Bernie was all too aware of the effect of her words.

  ‘We believe Laura was planning on staying out all night. She took a few things in a bag but not enough to suggest she was running away. We’re working on the theory that maybe she was going to a party or seeing friends her parents don’t know about. We really need to know where Laura went after leaving the café. Who did she meet? Did she actually reach her final destination? Laura was wearing a dark jacket and jeans and her hair was in a ponytail. We need the public to help with any possible sightings. Mrs Moffatt will now say a few words.’

  Bernie gave Caroline what she hoped was a reassuring look. Caroline raised her head a little but kept her eyes down.

  ‘I… I just want to tell Laura… that she’s not in trouble. I just want her home.’ Caroline dissolved into tears.

  Bernie always hated these moments. She had to stay professional but she was aware she looked hard, unfeeling, when the very opposite was true.

  ‘I’d just like to reiterate what Laura’s mother said. Laura is not in trouble. Her whole family want her back safe and well. I’ll take two questions.’ Bernie pointed to a young woman she recognised.