A photo of Molly then flashed up and the presenter ended the report by urging the public to call the phone number that was shown below if they had seen Molly or had any information as to her whereabouts. She also said that all phone calls would be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Queenie switched the TV off and began gathering up her handbag and coat. ‘Vinny was meant to be doing that appeal. I’m gonna pop down to the club and find out what’s gone on. Deborah bleedin’ Preston hardly knew Molly, so Christ knows what she was doing sticking her oar in. It should have been me sat there with Jo, not her.’
Vivian waited until her sister had slammed the front door behind her before turning to Albie. ‘I know me and you have never seen eye to eye on most things, but I have to admit you were right about one thing all along. You always said Vinny was no good, didn’t you?’
Albie nodded sadly. ‘I’m ashamed to call him my son, Viv, and I am so sorry that he was the one what killed Lenny.’
‘I’ll never forgive Vinny for what he did, not ever. To cover up my boy’s death was the lowest of the low. And I bet I know why he didn’t do that TV appeal.’
‘His arsehole went?’
With a twisted expression on her face, Vivian nodded. ‘You got it in one, Albie. Vinny Butler might be a big man around here, but me and you both know he is the most cowardly piece of shit that God ever put breath in.’
The boy switched the television off in favour of listening to Paul Weller. He was a massive fan of The Jam, having got into their music while banged up.
The TV appeal had been quite a disappointment to him. He had been gagging to see Vinny Butler mug himself off on TV, but Vinny was nowhere to be seen.
The boy smirked as he sang along to ‘Going Underground’. Every time he heard this song now it would remind him of Molly and the pain Vinny was currently going through. He must be wondering if his daughter was under the ground.
‘Boy, your tea’s ready. Come and eat it before it gets cold. I’ve made you your favourite, Shepherd’s Pie.’
The boy grinned and lifted the arm off the record. ‘Coming, Nan.’
Vinny Butler was back at the club with Michael and Ahmed. He had not been able to face watching the news, but Michael had, and he said it had been a strong appeal and Jo and her mum had done well. ‘Is Little Vinny still upstairs?’
Michael nodded. ‘He watched the appeal with me and got upset. He blames himself, I think.’
‘And so he fucking should,’ Vinny said, knocking back his Scotch.
‘You shouldn’t be too hard on him, Vinny. He’s only a kid himself,’ Ahmed reminded his pal, even though he had said differently when Molly had first been reported missing.
‘Speak of the devil,’ Vinny mumbled, as his son walked towards him.
‘Is it OK to sit down here with you, Dad? I just want Molly to come home. I feel so guilty. I’m really sorry.’
Aware that his son was crying, Vinny stood up and gave him an unmeaningful hug. ‘Sit your arse down next to Michael while I pour you a cider.’
When the phone rang, Vinny dashed to answer it. He had spoken to Geary when he had arrived back from the police station and had been on tenterhooks ever since, waiting for him to call back.
‘I’ve got some news for you. Meet me in our usual spot at eight o’clock, and do not tell a soul. It cost me to get this info for you, Vinny, so you need to bring three grand with you. OK?’
If Vinny had a million pounds in his safe, he would have gladly handed it over to Geary if it meant getting Molly back. ‘Fine. I’ll be there.’
Back at the police station, DI Smithers and his team were sifting through the various new leads the TV appeal had thrown their way. The phones had not stopped ringing since Joanna and Deborah’s heartfelt interview.
‘’Ere guv, we’ve got another sighting of that young lad who was watching Vinny’s club. A lady has given the same description as that old boy you spoke to. That’s the third one now, and the lady said he was acting shifty. He insulted her when she looked at him, same as he did the old fella. She left her name and telephone number.’
‘Right, let’s get the lady to help us with a photofit and see if it matches the one Mr Arthur came up with. He was a bit unsure and kept changing his mind, so I don’t want to put the photofit out unless we’re sure we’ve got it right,’ Smithers replied.
‘What about Bobby Jackson?’ DS Townsend asked.
‘We’ll let him go as soon as his alibi is confirmed,’ Smithers replied. He was now ninety-nine per cent sure that Bobby Jackson had not abducted Molly Butler. Jackson certainly didn’t have the demeanour of a guilty man. He had stuck by his story that he was drunk and just joking, and his pal Micky Dunn had also backed that up. Micky admitted that Bobby had made the remark about killing Molly and disposing of her body, but told the police that even though he had been shocked at the time, when he had woken up sober this morning he had known Bobby was only messing about. He’d also said that Bobby was only brazen about Vinny when inebriated; so long as he was sober, he was absolutely petrified of the man.
‘We’ve another new lead, guv. A bloke who was walking through Victoria Park says he saw a teenage lad with a child in a pushchair and reckons it could have been Molly. He said she had a pink tracksuit on and a doll in her hand. The lad that was with her had a dark woolly hat on and was dressed in dark clothing. The child had some kind of woolly hat on her head too.’
DI Smithers felt the same surge of excitement that he always felt when on the verge of a breakthrough. ‘Right, lads, let’s follow these new leads up ASAP.’
Vinny Butler swung into the car park and pulled up next to Geary. ‘Well?’ he asked, as he leapt into the passenger seat. He was dreading what Geary had to say, but any news was better than none.
‘You got the money?’
Vinny handed the envelope over. ‘Well?’ he asked again, but this time with both impatience and anger in his tone.
‘I mean it, Vinny, you need to swear to me on both your kids’ lives that you won’t let on this info has come from me.’
Vinny saw that comment as a good sign. Whatever Geary had to tell him, he knew it involved Molly still being alive. ‘I swear, George. You know you can trust me.’
‘Bobby Jackson is currently in custody in connection with Molly’s disappearance. He hasn’t been charged yet, but was apparently heard spouting his mouth off in the Blind Beggar last night. He gave the police a false lead first, and then a witness overheard him say other stuff.’
Vinny’s blood ran cold. ‘What other stuff?’
Knowing how fiery Vinny could be, George decided to hold back certain parts of the conversation he’d had with his informant. ‘Not sure of the exact details, but he hinted that he knew where Molly was. They dragged his pal Micky Dunn in for questioning earlier as well. Micky was with Bobby when the witness overheard the conversation.’
Vinny felt all the colour drain from his face. He had been responsible for the disappearance of Bobby’s father Kenny, and had made sure the man died a nasty death. Although Bobby knew Vinny was to blame, he couldn’t prove it. The police had tried to make a case but failed because Vinny had a watertight alibi.
‘Who’s the witness, George?’
‘No idea. I asked my source, but he didn’t know. Apparently, Jackson is claiming he was drunk and is denying that he had anything to do with Molly’s disappearance. Naturally, I’ll keep you updated on the situation …’
Ahmed Zane smirked as he opened the door of the club and Vinny’s mother stormed in like a bull in a china shop. ‘Evening, Queenie,’ he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He knew the truth about Lenny’s accident was now out in the open, but since Queenie had always hated him it didn’t surprise him that her attitude towards him hadn’t changed.
Spotting Michael and Little Vinny chatting away with a pint in front of them as though they didn’t have a care in the world, Queenie pursed her lips. ‘Well, well, well, isn’t this cosy?’
Queenie picked up the drink that was sitting in front of her grandson and took a sip. ‘Being rewarded for losing his sister, is he?’
‘Don’t say stuff like that to him, Mum.’
Little Vinny put his head in his hands and wept again. ‘Nanny’s right. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen asleep, Molly would be here with us. I wished I would have played with her more now. She always wanted me to.’
Queenie was not one for crocodile tears and never had been. ‘Where’s Vinny? And why didn’t he do the appeal?’ she asked Michael.
‘Hey, why don’t you talk to your mum in private, Michael? While I have a chat with this young man,’ Ahmed said, sitting down next to Little Vinny and putting a supportive arm around his shoulders.
When Michael nodded gratefully, then led his mum upstairs, Little Vinny turned to Ahmed. ‘My nan hates me, my dad hates me, Jo hates me. What am I gonna do?’
‘You have to do what I did when the same happened to me. I was blamed for Champ’s death when it was not even me driving that car, but I just held my head high and took it on the chin. I must admit, I am relieved now your dad has owned up to it though. Your family must have hated me.’
Little Vinny sat with his mouth wide open. ‘What! My dad killed Champ?’
‘Oh, I am so sorry. I thought you knew. The truth came out recently down at Eastbourne, and because all the rest of your family were there, I just assumed that your dad would have told you, seeing as you’re not a kid any more.’
‘No, he never said anything.’
‘Well, it was an accident. Your dad did not mean to kill Champ, just the same as you never meant to fall asleep while you were looking after Molly. It is probably wisest to keep this conversation to ourselves though, eh? Your dad has enough on his plate at the moment without him finding out I’ve put my foot in it. Can I trust you not to say anything?’
Little Vinny nodded.
‘Well, let me pour us another drink then, and if you ever need anybody to talk to on the quiet, then I’m your man. You can trust me too.’
Little Vinny sighed deeply as he watched Ahmed saunter up to the bar. It was awful his dad had killed Champ, but in a strange way it had lessened his own guilt.
Fiona Mason launched herself at her brother the minute he sauntered through the front door. She had been that shocked when she had seen the news bulletin, she had dropped the iron and burnt her hand. ‘I want you out of this flat, Scott. I’ve had enough. You must have had something to do with it, else why would I have to lie to the police for you, eh?’
To stop her from punching him in the chest, Scott grabbed hold of his little sister’s wrists. ‘What’s happened? Have the Old Bill been back?’
‘I saw the TV appeal, Scott. The police are bound to come round again because they’ve appealed for witnesses. If they find out I lied, then I will go to prison as well. How could you put me in that position, eh? And how could you involve that poor child?’
‘Have you lost the plot, Fi? I do not have a clue what you’re on about. What TV appeal?’
‘The one about Vinny Butler’s missing daughter.’
‘No way! Vinny’s kid has gone missing?’
‘Oh, don’t act shocked, Scott. It’s too late for that. You wouldn’t have hidden in my wardrobe and made me lie to the police if you had nothing to hide. You think I’m stupid because I’ve always stood by you, but I’m not. Go and pack your things. I can’t take any more.’
‘Fi, I swear on my life and yours that I had nothing to do with the disappearance of Vinny’s kid. I might be a fucker, but I would never hurt a child. The reason I asked you to give me an alibi is because me and a pal committed a robbery. That’s why I thought the Old Bill had turned up here, not because of some kid.’
‘I don’t believe you.’
‘I can get my pal to confirm the story to you, if you like? We did over a jeweller’s shop.’
‘OK, but ring him now and hand the phone straight to me.’
‘I can’t. He’s gone to Belgium with the jewellery.’
‘Oh, how very convenient, Scott – you must think I was born bloody yesterday. Just pack your stuff and get out.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Vinny Butler woke up with a thumping headache. The news from Geary had knocked him for six, and he had sat up until the early hours downing Scotch and bending Michael and Ahmed’s ears. The main topic of conversation was how he would dispose of Bobby Jackson, and Vinny had decided to cut the bastard open while he was still alive, rip his heart out with his own bare hands, then feed it to the stray dog that was always hanging around outside the club.
Michael opened the bedroom door. ‘Wakey, wakey. I feel like shit, I dunno about you. Ahmed’s gone to the café. I ordered you two sandwiches. Egg and bacon, and sausage and onion.’
The thought of either concoction made Vinny want to vomit. He had barely eaten a morsel since Molly had gone missing. ‘Answer that, would you, Michael,’ Vinny said when the buzzer rang.
He was trying to summon up the strength to have a shave and a shower when Michael yelled out that the police wanted to speak to him. Vinny quickly got dressed and ran down the stairs. Had they charged Bobby Jackson?
‘Morning, Vinny. I need to ask you a few more questions regarding certain information we have received,’ DS Townsend said.
Vinny gestured for Townsend and his colleague to follow him into his office. He was fully expecting questions about Bobby Jackson to be fired his way, but to Vinny’s amazement, Townsend never mentioned him. Instead, he asked Vinny if he had seen a teenage boy hanging around outside the club recently.
‘No. Not that I can remember. Why?’
‘We have reason to believe that this lad might prove to be a key witness. We have a description and are planning to release a photofit later today.’
Vinny was gobsmacked. ‘What does this lad look like?’
‘We’re not sure of his height yet, because in all the sightings we have he was sitting down in the doorway opposite your club. But he’s described as being between seventeen and twenty, with dark hair and green eyes. On the day Molly went missing, he was wearing a navy tracksuit and white trainers.’
Vinny wanted to ask why they were chasing after some young kid when they had Bobby Jackson in custody, but for obvious reasons he couldn’t. ‘Are there any other witnesses or suspects?’ he asked.
Townsend’s answer was noncommittal. ‘We’re chasing up various leads. The TV appeal resulted in lots of phone calls and we’re sifting through them all, but this lad who was seen sitting opposite your club on the day in question might well be able to assist us in our enquiries. The flood you had in your cellar – is there any way it could have been started deliberately?’
Vinny shook his head. ‘No chance. I plumbed that machine in myself and it had already flooded the cellar once before. There’s a dodgy pipe at the back, and I should have got it properly sorted ages ago.’
‘Who loaded the wash and switched it on?’
‘My cleaner, Edna. She always sticks the towels, tea-towels and all that stuff in every Thursday. My son noticed the flood when he went down to the cellar to stock up the mixers, then rang me immediately. What are you trying to imply? That some teenage kid came into the club, put a wash on, then flooded my fucking cellar before snatching my daughter?’
‘I’m not implying anything, Vinny. We’re just exploring all the angles. That’s our job.’
‘Where’s your boss today? I want to know why you’ve described this teenage lad as a witness when he’s obviously a fucking suspect. Why would you release a photofit of him otherwise?’
DS Townsend was none too comfortable around Vinny Butler. The man made him feel edgy. ‘The boss is meeting with the media again this morning. He wants to get as much publicity for Molly as possible. As for your question about this lad being a suspect, we can’t be sure at this stage. As soon as we receive any more i
nformation, you will be the first to know.’
When Townsend and his seemingly mute colleague left the office, Vinny picked up the photo of Molly that sat pride of place on his desk. Tears streaming down his face, he looked at his daughter sitting on her rocking horse. With her mop of curly blonde hair, bright green eyes and dashing smile, she looked so incredibly beautiful. His voice choked with tears, he whispered to her, ‘Where are you, my angel? Daddy loves and misses you so very much.’
Christopher Walker was at home with his mother. He had slept better since Molly had been missing. Obviously, he didn’t wish the child any harm, but her disappearance could not have come at a better time for him. It gave him the breathing space he so badly needed after the horrendous situation he’d found himself in. It might even mean he would be spared having to arrest Vinny Butler. When a child as young as Molly went missing for this length of time, there was rarely a happy ending. That being the case, participating in drug deals should be the last thing on Vinny Butler’s mind for the foreseeable future.
‘What you up to on your day off? Doing anything nice?’ Mary asked her son.
‘I’m meeting Olivia after work and taking her for a meal. Are you not working in the café today?’
‘No. I’m planning to pop round to see Joanna and Nancy. The pair of them are in bits, and I can’t stop thinking of that poor little girl. I know you hate Vinny, son, but that child is a dear little soul and Jo’s a lovely girl too. Do you think Molly will turn up? Has anybody said anything about her disappearance at work?’
‘A few of the lads have spoken about it, but I try to distance myself. It’s very embarrassing for me in my position to be linked to a family like the Butlers. As for Molly being found safe, I would prepare yourself for the worst.’
The sound of the phone ringing stopped Mary from asking any more questions. Her face fell as she listened to what the caller had to say.
Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Butler Collection Page 82