by Jay Gill
Richter’s voice echoed down the corridor after her. “Tell Hardy to watch over his kids. Tell him I’ll see him soon. I’ll be getting out one day. And when I do, I’ll be going to pay him a visit. A visit he’ll never forget.”
Chapter Sixty-Four
I arrived home and was greeted by Faith as she came running up to give me one of her super-squeezy hugs.
“Daddy, you’re back. I missed you.”
I picked her up and swung her around. “I missed you more.”
“I missed you more,” insisted Faith, and she filled me in on the day’s events without pausing for breath. “Nana Hardy was here, but she’s gone home now. Alice is still at a sleepover with her new friend. Monica said I can have my favourite tuna pasta for dinner and stay up late. Sandy dug up some more daffodil bulbs, and she chewed my Barbie’s leg. Monica and I are in the garden – come and see. I’ve been painting her toenails, and she did my fingernails.” Faith held up her hands and showed me her fingernails, which were bright pink with sparkles. “Can I do yours, Daddy?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Your nails are beautiful, honey. Although I’m not so sure pink sparkly fingernails are a good idea for me. Maybe another time or a different colour. Let’s go and see how Monica’s toenails look.”
Faith put her small hand in mine and took me through to the garden. Monica was in a garden recliner with her feet up on a chair. Beside her was an array of nail polishes and lipsticks.
Leaning over, I gave her a long, lingering kiss.
“Hello, stranger,” she said. “You missed all the action, you know. We’ve had a busy day, haven’t we, Faith?” She squeezed my hand. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. I’ve missed you all.” I wanted to stay upbeat, so I said, “Yes, Faith was just telling me all about it. It sounds like you’ve been having fun.”
Monica looked radiant and happy. I could feel my body relaxing. Being home and around those I love was always good for my soul. I swooped in and gave Monica another kiss.
Faith’s hands were on her hips, and she gave us both a look that said No more mushy stuff. She levered us apart and insisted I examine Monica’s toenails. “That’s enough kissing, Daddy. Look, I’ve done her toenails different colours. Each one is different.”
Faith proudly lifted Monica’s foot so I could see.
“I’ve been really pampered,” said Monica with a smile.
I chuckled encouragingly. “They look wonderful. You know, now I’ve seen Monica’s toenails, I’m not so sure I want to miss out. Maybe you should do mine. What do you think?”
I was about to ask whether there was any news on how Alice was getting on at her new friend’s sleepover when there was a knock-knock-knock at the front door, followed by the doorbell ringing repeatedly. Monica looked at me quizzically.
“Who can that be?”
I opened the front door to a woman I’d never seen before. She looked pale and scared out of her wits. My first thought was that she was ill or had been in a traffic accident.
Monica pushed past me and looked behind the woman. “Janice, what is it?” she demanded, her voice full of concern. Then to my horror, she said, “Alice? Where’s Alice?”
I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I was catching up quickly. I knew Alice was at a sleepover and I guessed this was the mother of Alice’s new school friend.
“Please tell me Alice is here,” said Janice frantically. “My Chloe told me Alice went with a policewoman. The policewoman said she worked with Alice’s father, so Alice went with her. Please tell me she’s okay.”
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My whole body went cold. I took the woman by the arm and brought her into the house, where I sat her down. “My name is James Hardy. I’m Alice’s father. Tell me exactly what happened. Where’s your daughter?”
“Chloe is fine. She came home and told me what happened. They were at the sweet shop on the corner, near our house. It’s only a hundred yards away. Chloe goes there all the time on her own. I can see the shop from my house; it’s not far. They went together. It was a little treat for them to go and get sweets. Chloe came home alone. She said the policewoman was in uniform and wearing the hat and everything. She showed them her warrant card.”
I looked at Monica, who was sitting in an armchair. Faith sat on her lap, staring at Janice and squeezing Monica. Her face was full of fear. Monica looked pale and was trembling.
“I need to speak to your daughter, immediately,” I said to Janice. “I need to get a full description of the policewoman, in her own words. I need to know precisely what happened.”
I hugged Faith and Monica and told them I’d be back soon. I assured them Alice would be okay and that this was some sort of mix-up. I prayed to God I was right.
I went with Janice to her house and met Chloe. She was the same age as Alice. She was a pretty girl who looked older than her years. She was a little taller than Alice, had dark hair and wore braces on her teeth. Her brown eyes were puffy from crying. Her hands were clenched as she dabbed her nose with a tissue.
Despite how I felt inside, I spoke softly and slowly. “Hello, Chloe. As you know, I’m Alice’s dad. I am also a police detective.”
Chloe nodded.
I said, “You’re not in trouble, let me assure you. Nobody blames you. You did nothing wrong, okay?”
She smiled a little and nodded.
“How about you start at the beginning, Chloe? It would be helpful if you tell me exactly what happened. Tell me in your own words, carefully and slowly.”
Chloe explained how they had finished buying their sweets in the little shop. When they came out, a policewoman was waiting for them.
“She seemed to know about Alice. She knew all about you, Monica and Faith as well. She knew about her grandad dying and everything. The policewoman said you were friends. She told Alice things that you had told her. How your house looks, what Alice’s bedroom looks like and her toys and favourite colours, things like that, so we believed her.”
Chloe started to sob. Between tears, she described the policewoman, then said, “Alice went with her because the policewoman told her it was what you wanted. Alice wanted to call you, but the policewoman insisted there wasn’t time. You’d be cross, and she was putting everyone in danger if she didn’t get in the police car straight away.”
She finished her story and looked at her mother. Janice nodded, and Chloe put out a trembling hand to me. As she opened her fingers, I wanted to fall to my knees. I felt like my body had been cut in two by a terrifying bolt of lightning. I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing. No, not my Alice.
Chloe’s open hand revealed a Scrabble piece. The letter R.
“The policewoman gave me this. She told me that you would know what it meant and that I was to give it to nobody else but you.”
I knew what it meant, and I didn’t want to believe it. My precious little girl was in the hands of Kelly Lyle.
Chapter Sixty-Five
The fake policewoman had brought Alice to a farmhouse, surrounded by fields and opposite a wood, where, she had told her, her dad, Monica and Faith were waiting for her. It was a lie. The woman had tricked her, and now Alice sat at a kitchen table in a cold, smelly and run-down farmhouse.
Alice stared at the woman sitting opposite her.
The woman watched her.
“My name is Alice Hardy, and if you know what’s good for you you’ll take me home right now.”
The woman said nothing. She blinked her eyes and continued watching.
Alice repeated herself with more determination. “My daddy works at New Scotland Yard. Have you heard of the Metropolitan Police in London? He is one of their best detectives. He catches people that nobody else can. He will catch you. But it’s not too late for you. Just take me home and we’ll forget any of this ever happened, okay? Last chance.”
The woman still said nothing. Alice found this frustrating. She didn’t let it show.
She trie
d a different approach. “We used to live in London but recently moved to Dorset. It’s really nice now, as I get to see my dad more often. Our house is close to the beach, and we play frisbee and catch with our dog, Sandy. My favourite colour is turquoise. I like watching musicals. I don’t like cartoons much, though I do like Disney cartoons. What’s your favourite colour?”
Silence.
“My new teacher’s nice. Her name is Mrs Beecroft. My new school has its own swimming pool. I like swimming. Do you like swimming?”
Silence.
“My favourite food is spaghetti Bolognese. I don’t drink fizzy drinks; only water. What’s your favourite food?”
Silence. Then clapping, slow clapping.
“You’re a very smart girl, Alice. Very smart. Trying to build rapport with your captor.”
“Then why don’t you let me go?” suggested Alice.
“You are going to be fine. I know who your daddy is and what he does – I mean, what he did. He retired from the Met, didn’t he? You see, he and I are friends. We go way back. You could say we have a special relationship. A bond that ties us.”
“Friends don’t kidnap one another’s children.”
“It’s complicated, Alice. Like all meaningful relationships. You are a very astute girl. You’re too smart for me. I liked the way you tried to build rapport. Did Daddy teach you that? I bet he did. I know all about you, Monica, and your little sister, Faith. I know about your Nana Hardy and your Grandad Hardy. It’s a shame about Grandad. I know about your daddy’s old detective partner, Rayner. I know about Detective Inspector Cotton – you might have met her. She’s eager to prove herself. You see, little Alice, not everyone matters. But it pays to know all you can about those people that do matter. When you understand that, nothing can surprise you. Do you see?”
Alice screwed up her face defiantly. “You think you know it all. My daddy will surprise you. Then you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison. Just like all the others who thought they were clever. How does that sound?”
“My name is Kelly Lyle. Have you heard that name before?”
Alice rolled her shoulders. “I’ve heard Daddy talk about you. You’re a bad person. That’s all I know.”
Lyle pressed the tips of her fingers together and said, “Whether someone is good or bad often depends on your point of view. Never mind all that. We’re going to be here together for a little while, and your stay here will be more pleasant if you behave. I know you’re a well-mannered young lady, so it shouldn’t be difficult for you. I have a couple of rules. I like rules. I bet you do too. The first rule is that you mustn’t try to escape. We’re a long way from anywhere, so it’s pointless and you might get hurt. If you try to escape, I’m going to have to confine you. Do you know what that means?”
Alice shrugged. “Yes.”
“It means, Alice, that I’d be forced to do something you won’t like. It means I might put you in a box and bury you underground. It means I might put you in a dark, cold, wet cellar full of spiders. It means perhaps chaining you up in a barn full of rats. It means I might hide you somewhere no one would ever find you. Do you get the picture?”
Alice could tell she meant every word. She’d never heard anyone speak with such hostility before. The gravity of her situation suddenly dawned on her. She was alone and vulnerable. Kelly Lyle could do whatever she wanted to her and there was nobody to stop her. She’d overheard her dad say she had killed people. Killed them in horrible ways. Fear welled up inside her, and her shoulders started shaking uncontrollably as she fought to hold back tears. Her bottom lip quivered as she nodded her head. “Yes,” she said meekly.
“The second rule is that we treat each other with respect. I’ll be honest with you if you will be honest with me. None of this is about you, and I don’t need to hurt you. I will hurt you, don’t get me wrong. But only if I have to. I see no reason we can’t be friends. I’d like to get to know you, and I’d like to hear more about your favourite food and your favourite colours and what you enjoy doing. I’d like to hear about your family and the way you live. I’d also like to hear about your mummy who is in heaven. My mummy is in heaven too.”
The last part was a lie, but she knew Alice would respond to it. “Let’s have a bite to eat, and we can talk some more. And in a little while, we’ll phone your daddy. How does that sound?”
Lyle handed Alice a tissue. Alice smiled weakly, nodded and sniffed. “Yes, I’d like to speak to Daddy.”
Chapter Sixty-Six
For a long time, I found it impossible to think. Emma had called me too late. Richter’s prediction that Lyle would strike a blow by going after those I loved most had come chillingly true.
It was painful to think of my little Alice crying and calling out for help. She expected me to come to save her, but I didn’t know where to start. I was consumed by fear. I was struggling to move beyond the terrifying possibilities of what might come next. I took myself away from everyone around me and retreated to my office. It had never been more critical that my next move be the right one.
I bolted upright as my mobile phone started to ring. “Hello? Alice? Who is this?”
I heard a woman’s voice. A woman I knew had to be Kelly Lyle. To my relief, her words confirmed Alice was still alive. “Say hello to Daddy.”
Alice sounded scared but strong. “Daddy, where are you? Kelly Lyle took me. I’m sorry; I thought she was a real policewoman.”
“Alice, don’t be sorry. This isn’t your fault. I’m coming to get you, I promise. I promise with all my heart.”
Lyle took over the call. “Hello, James. I thought you’d like to speak to your daughter. I think that’s very generous of me. She’s a spirited young woman, I’ll give her that.”
“If you harm her, I swear to God I will devote the rest of my life to—”
“She’s absolutely fine, James. I haven’t laid a finger on her. I have no intention of doing so. Unless it’s necessary.
“It’s time to up the ante. You and I are heading towards a climax, and so naturally things are intense. Once you see the big picture, you’ll thank me. All this time you’ve done everything except see what’s right in front of your eyes. I’ve left you all the pieces of the puzzle, and now it’s time you put those pieces together to reveal what this has all been for. I’ve given you the name, and now it’s time you understand why.”
I could hear Alice crying in the background, and it was tearing me apart. “Give me my daughter back, and I’ll do whatever you want. Whatever it takes.”
“I know. Poetic, isn’t it? Intense love and intense hate can be incredible motivators. They cause us to do things we might otherwise avoid.
“I am sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. When we are young, a father figure can have a positive or negative influence on our upbringing. But James, right now, mother is key. Mother is the key. Do you understand?”
“No more games. Give my daughter back. Harming a child isn’t your style. We both know that.”
Lyle sighed heavily. “Times change. For now, Alice and I are going to have some fun. We’re going to have some girl time. I’ve always wanted a daughter, so I must cherish these precious moments. You and I will talk again very soon, hopefully face to face. In the meantime, you must go and see Mother.”
The call ended, and I found myself standing behind my desk staring at the phone in my hand.
Tormented beyond reason, I roared, grabbed my desk and launched it across the room. It crashed against two filing cabinets. Everything on the desk scattered across the room. I was losing my mind. I sank to my knees and screamed at heaven. I furiously yelled at God and then asked for his help in bringing my baby home safely.
I don’t know how long I remained on my knees. My head was spinning, and my heart was pounding. It could have been five minutes; it could have been two hours. I crawled across the floor and picked up a smashed photo frame. I opened the back of the frame and took out the picture of Helena.
I looked at her and
said, “Our baby’s gone. She’s got our baby.”
As I talked to Helena about all the mistakes I’d made, Lyle’s words forced their way into my head. “Mother is the key.”
I kissed the picture of Helena and got to my feet. I unlocked the office door and began running to my car.
With Faith in her arms, Monica came chasing after me. I turned and held them in my arms.
I said, “I know what to do. I’m going to get Alice back, I promise.” We held onto each other, and none of us wanted to let go. Finally, I tore myself away. “I had better go,” I said, my voice breaking. “When you see me next, it’ll be with Alice. You have my word.” I kissed them one last time and ran to the car.
As I started the car my phone rang. It was my old Met partner, Inspector Rayner.
“James, I’m sorry. I just heard from DI Cotton. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
The sound of his voice and knowing he had my back filled me with confidence. I told him what I had in mind.
“Lyle always chooses her words carefully. When she spoke, she said ‘Mother is the key.’ I don’t think she was talking about my mother; it’s more likely she was talking about her own mother. She was trying to tell me something.
“I need you to find out what business interests Kelly Lyle has around Dorset and Hampshire—in fact, anywhere on the south coast. My guess is her mother is close by. I need the address. I need it now. Once you have it, send it to Emma and to me.”
“Leave it with me. I’m on it.”
“Thanks, buddy. It’s bloody good to hear your voice.”
“We’re going to get Alice back. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have something.”
I called Emma and gave her the same information. She told me she recalled one of Kelly Lyle’s investment companies owned a string of residential care homes that stretched from the south coast to the Midlands.
“That’s got to be a good place to start. I’ll get the team calling them straight away,” she said. “I’ll check to see if any of the care homes has a resident under the name of either Lyle or her mother’s maiden name, Allerton. We’ll start with homes closest to your location and work our way up the country.”