“I’ve no idea, just some back street boozer.” He looked away. “Worked the poor kids like slaves and paid peanuts. Agnes got herself proper worked up about it.”
“Mr Akerman, are you sure you don’t know where this boozer is?”
He shook his head. “Agnes didn’t tell me everything. Anyway, it doesn’t do to rub folk up the wrong way.”
That was an odd thing to say. “Did someone threaten you?”
He smiled. “No. Why would anyone do that? I’m nobody.”
“What did you do when you left that kebab shop?” Elwyn asked.
“I went home. Well, I had nothing better on, had I? Bert was waiting for me. He lives in the flat above. We played cards and drank some cans. It must have been gone midnight when he left.”
Rachel made a mental note to have that checked. “Can I have his full name, please?”
“Bert Madden. Ask anyone, they’ll show you his place.”
* * *
They made their way back to the incident room.
“Not him then,” Elwyn said.
Rachel was disappointed. “And there was me thinking we’d got it wrapped up. Akerman appeared to be the perfect candidate for Agnes.” She heaved a sigh. They’d put in a lot of work and got nowhere. “But he is afraid of someone. We need to identify that poor girl and quick, before Harding starts breathing down our necks. And we need to find the name and address of that bar.” She dumped the interview paperwork on the nearest desk. “Did you know that Salford are investigating a people trafficking and grooming ring?”
“No, but it doesn’t surprise me,” Elwyn said.
“It surprised me. We’ve heard nothing our end. It could be big. And if it is, it won’t stay Salford’s side of the Irwell. I wonder if this is what we’ve got on our hands? The girls, their lack of freedom, the fact that they seem to run whenever the opportunity presents itself. And we’ve got a body.”
Elwyn looked dubious. “We’ve enough on our plates. Let’s not go looking for trouble.”
“Good advice,” Rachel said, “but we can’t ignore what’s staring us in the face. For now, we’ll keep an open mind. And there is something else.”
Rachel went into her office and beckoned Elwyn to follow. “Megan got herself involved in a party scam the other night. Some bright spark hires out a fancy town apartment to the kids at a tenner each for the night. They think it’s great. No expensive taxi home to pay for. The party was gatecrashed by a couple of blokes no one knew. There was a group of foreign girls there too, possibly trafficked. Megan was no help on that score. It got noisy and the police were called. A DS Howe from Salford interviewed Megan about who she saw there. Despite everything else that was going on, he was particularly interested in a missing girl called Ruby.”
Elwyn frowned. “Your daughter needs to be careful. That sounds like heavy stuff she’s stumbled into.”
“Don’t worry, Elwyn, I’ll be having a word. But don’t you see? That’s what both our unknown and our runner could be part of.”
Chapter Fourteen
Lorraine Hughes wasn’t pleased to see the two detectives. “I told the other one everything I know.” She sighed. “Look, I’m sorry about Agnes but I’ve nothing to add.”
“We’re not here about Agnes,” Jonny said. “What d’you know about a young woman with pink hair?”
Lorraine Hughes folded her arms. “Oh, her. She was one of Agnes’s hopeless cases. There were a few, came here looking for God knows what, and expecting Agnes to sort it. That one, the one with the hair, she was trouble. Baggage, if you know what I mean.”
“No, we don’t. Enlighten us, Ms Hughes,” Jonny said with some sarcasm. Baggage. Sounded positively Victorian.
“She was always on edge. I reckon she’s an addict. Came here to score drugs. Of course, Agnes wouldn’t have any of that.”
“Do you have any records — a name? Address?” Amy asked her.
She frowned. “I’m not sure. I shouldn’t think so. They were Agnes’s project. Mostly the girls just wanted to talk. They were cagey about names and addresses, most wouldn’t even register as temporaries. Agnes took the view that they needed help and should get it regardless. Not ideal. It does nothing for our funding.”
“Are you sure about the records, Ms Hughes?” Jonny said. “We can easily get a warrant, come back mob-handed and search the entire premises. We’d prefer not to have to do it. We have no desire to worry your patients.”
“No need for that. Like I said, it was advice they wanted. A cup of tea, a few kind words and they went on their way.” She shrugged.
“How many did she see, do you know?” Amy asked.
“Lately it was mostly the girl with the pink hair. And there was another one. Scared of her own shadow, she was. There were others before them. The faces change so frequently, it’s hard to keep up,” Lorraine Hughes said dismissively. “Agnes was a right soft touch. You’d be better off asking at the hostel. They sometimes went there for a bite to eat.”
“Do you recognise this?” Jonny showed her a copy of the appointment card found underneath the unknown girl.
Lorraine Hughes squinted at it briefly. “I can barely see it. It could be anything.”
“We think it’s an appointment card for here. If it is, then this girl was registered as a patient. It’s roughly two months old and the girl was pregnant. Would you check, please? If it is for an appointment here, there should be a record.”
“But you can’t read it, the name is obliterated. There’s nothing to go by,” Lorraine said.
“We’d appreciate it if you’d give it a go. A young pregnant girl, possibly booked in to see Agnes,” Amy said. “Otherwise, like DC Farrell says, it’ll be the warrant and a shedload of upheaval.”
Lorraine Hughes rolled her eyes. “We’ll try, but our time is limited.”
“Do your best. I’ll leave this with you.” Amy handed over her card. “Give me a ring when you’ve got something.”
Leaving a visibly disgruntled Lorraine, they went outside.
“Shall we walk? The hostel is only up the road,” Jonny said. “We can ask at the shops on the way.”
Amy cast a wary eye up the road. “This is a rough part of town. Don’t be surprised if we get told to piss off.”
They first tried the newsagents, where the woman behind the counter, chewing slowly on a piece of gum, eyed them with suspicion. “Who wants to know?”
“We’re police.” Jonny showed her his warrant card. “Do you know the girl I’ve described?”
“Pink hair, you say.” She blew a bubble. “Might do. In fact, she might have been round here yesterday.”
“Do you know her name?” asked Amy.
“I serve ’em fags and stuff. I take the cash and that’s it. I don’t get paid for idle chitchat.” She frowned, as if recalling something. “There was some bloke came in here, looking for her. He stood behind that display unit by the window and watched folk walk past. She came out of the health centre and he was after her like a shot.”
“D’you who he was?”
“No. I’ve said enough. It doesn’t do to be seen talking to t’police round ’ere.”
“Do you know him?” Amy was fed up of getting nowhere. “Obstructing enquiries is an offence.”
The woman blew another bubble. It popped loudly. “Can’t tell you what I don’t know, and no amount of bullying from you lot will change that.”
Reluctantly, Jonny and Amy left and walked on up the road. After a few minutes, Amy said, “She knew that bloke. It was written all over her face. What is it with people? We’re dealing with cold blooded murder here.”
“I’ve just had a text from DCI King,” Jonny said, ignoring her rant. “They got nothing from Akerman. They asked about the girl and got nowhere. He reckons he doesn’t know her.”
Amy sighed. “It’s down to us then.”
The hostel came into view and Jonny groaned. Once again, there was a fight. Two men were rolling around on the pavement, a
nd one of the men was taking a right beating.
“They do nothing but fight in this place,” complained Jonny.
“Well, we’ll have to do something.” Leaving Jonny behind, Amy ran forward, screaming, “Police!” and flashing her warrant. She tugged at an arm. “Get off him!”
“Leave ’em, love. That pair’s been at each other’s throats all day, and it’ll be the same tomorrow.” Mavis Smithson stood, arms folded, in the doorway of the hostel.
“What’s the argument about?” Jonny asked.
She shrugged. “They’re off their faces, so who knows?”
The smaller of the two men rolled into the gutter, lay still for a few seconds and then got to his feet and staggered off, swearing.
“What d’you want?” Mavis asked the detectives. “Only you’d better not come in. The lot of them in there are fired up and itching for a fight.”
“We’re looking for a girl with pink hair,” Amy said. “Does she come here?”
“That sounds like Ruby. Yeah, she visits from time to time. She’s usually looking for Don.”
Ruby. At last they had a name.
“Why, what’s their connection?” Amy asked.
Mavis waved her hand vaguely. “No use asking me, love. I don’t get involved. They’re usually okay — get things sorted because of what Agnes does for them — but last time she was here, Don and her had a row. Left in a right strop she did. Come to think about it, we’ve not seen her since.”
Amy looked at Jonny. “We need to get back. We have a name — Ruby, and Akerman knew her. We should tell the boss. He lied to her.”
* * *
It was late afternoon. The school was empty, the noise of the working day long gone and no prying eyes to watch his progress along the dimly lit corridors. Every inch of this dump was familiar to him. He’d spent the last two years of his schooldays here. The place should have been torn down years ago. The promises kept coming, but the new build never materialised. He knew exactly where to find her too. Both this place and the woman he’d come to see were unhappy reminders of his past.
She was seated at her desk, head down, intent on the pile of exercise books in front of her. A curtain of grey-brown hair fell over her face, obliterating her view of the doorway. For a moment, he was back there again. The bad old days and this woman, red-cheeked, lips flecked with spittle, flying at him in a rage. His sins were legion, and top of the list was the way he intimidated the younger element in the school. Over the years, his talent for bullying had made him a fortune.
Seeing her now, he couldn’t believe she’d ever scared him. There had been times when she’d frightened him even more than his waster of a father. Look at her. She was nothing special. She was just an ordinary woman, ageing and ready for retirement. As he walked closer, she gave a ‘tut’ of disapproval and swiped that red pen of hers over an entire page. He pitied the poor kid who’d written the piece. Stupid bitch! Who did she think she was?
“You!”
She’d seen him. Not only that but she’d recognised him as well. He was flattered. He smiled. Best not alarm her. “Things don’t change, do they?” He spun around, waving his hand at the flaky paintwork and tall, vaulted ceiling. “Freezing in winter, these rooms. None of the windows fit properly. The whole lot should be condemned. You oughter complain, Miss Moore. It’s not fair, teaching kids in these conditions.”
She regarded him with small, dark eyes. After a lengthy silence, she said, “The new school is nearly finished. The handover is scheduled for next term.” She stared at him. “Surely you’re not a parent?”
He heard the derision, but smiled all the same. She’d inadvertently given him a way in. He shook his head. “No. Concerned older brother.”
“One of mine, is he? Or is it a she?”
“She.” He paused. “I’m worried that she’s not getting enough encouragement. It’ll be GCSEs next and I don’t think she’s ready. She gets worried, panics, you know how it is. We can’t keep her at home. The silly girl keeps running away.”
She reached for the register. “Name?”
Short and not so sweet. Nothing had changed. “Ruby Bogdan,” he said.
“I don’t recall her. Are you sure she’s one of mine?”
“Yes, I’m certain. You might know her as Ruby Wood. Sometimes she uses our English grandmother’s name.”
The woman’s face clouded with suspicion. “I know her alright. You say she’s your sister?” Her voice was laden with doubt. “Are you sure, Nicu? She’s never mentioned you.”
He grinned. “Wouldn’t, would she? Our Rubes knows my reputation. When did you see her last?”
“Since you’re not her guardian, I’m afraid I can’t discuss Ruby with you. Get a parent to come in and talk to me.”
“No parents. There’s only me. Look, if you know where she is, you have to tell me.”
“Can’t help, Nicu. Ruby isn’t here, that’s all I can say.”
He moved closer. “If she turns up, you’d do well to tell me. I’d hate to see you get hurt.”
The teacher’s eyes widened. “Are you threatening me, Bogdan? How dare you! You insolent, little . . .”
His laughter echoed around the room. “Ain’t that the truth.” Suddenly the laughter became a scowl and he slammed a fist down on her desk. “Where’s she hiding? Is she with one of those stupid friends of hers? Tell me now, bitch, and you’ll save yourself a deal of aggro.”
She got to her feet. “Get out of here or I’ll call security.”
Another laugh. “That stupid old goat won’t even hear you. You’re a joke, you and this place.”
“I warn you, I’ll ring the police.”
Nicu held up his hands. “Okay, but be sure to tell Ruby I’m looking for her. She knows what happens to girls who run out on the boss.”
Chapter Fifteen
“I knew he was lying!” Rachel said. She smiled at Amy. “Good work. We’ll speak to Akerman again, ask him why he didn’t tell us the girl’s name in the first place.”
“He may have been keeping it secret because of Agnes. We have no idea what kind of relationship she had with the other girls,” Elwyn said.
“You’re right, Elwyn. Amy, ask the health centre if Ruby was a patient there,” Rachel said.
“I’ve got them looking for the dead girl too,” Amy said. “There’s not much to go on, but who knows? Oh, and I’ve got the CCTV through from the building site.” She smiled. “They took their time but it was worth the wait. The only vehicle to visit the site that evening was a white van.”
Rachel recalled the footage of the van stopping beside Agnes that night. Same one? Had to be, it was too much of a coincidence. “Print out a series of stills and I’ll have a look when we come back.”
“Okay, ma’am, I’ll do that and leave the report on your desk.”
Amy was showing promise again. The young DC could be bone idle until something motivated her. If only she was more consistent.
“You drive, Elwyn,” Rachel said. “I need to ring home, check on those kids. The name Ruby came up when that sergeant from Salford interviewed Megan. The girl knows her. Ruby hangs out with them occasionally.”
“Sails a bit close to the wind, your daughter. She needs to be careful.”
“Don’t worry, I’m on it.” While the house phone rang, Rachel regarded her colleague. Would he be interested in what she was about to suggest? “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way but I’m short of a plus one for an event. I wondered if you . . .”
His eyes widened. “You’re inviting me out?”
He remained staring at her while Megan answered her call.
“You both okay?” Rachel asked.
“Fine, and Dad’s doing tea.”
“Well, don’t leave the house. You and me need a serious chat. I’ve got a few questions for you.” Rachel waited for the inevitable protest.
Megan didn’t disappoint. “I’ve got a date tonight. What do I tell him, that I’m grounded? I’m e
ighteen for God’s sake!”
“You stay put until I get home.” Rachel ended the call and turned to Elwyn.
“It’s not a date or anything,” she added hastily. “It might even be work, I’m not sure.”
“Go on then, explain.”
“I’ve been invited to a posh drinks do tomorrow evening. It’s at the rooftop bar of that new apartment block in Spinningfields. I don’t want to go on my own, so I thought of you.” She smiled at him.
He chuckled. “Only because there’s no one else.”
How true that was. Rachel didn’t like to think about it, but other than her immediate family and work colleagues, she had no one in her life.
“Look, don’t mess me around. Are you in or not?” she said.
“Why not ask Alan?”
“He’s got a new woman and I think it might be serious. I don’t want to cause any ill feeling. She probably thinks we’re weird as it is, living next door and cooking each other meals.”
“How come you’ve been invited?” Elwyn asked.
“The apartments have something to do with Jed. Another reason why I don’t want to go alone,” Rachel said. “If I do, he’ll just get the wrong idea.”
“So why go at all, why not just cry off?”
“Because that party Megan went to was held in an apartment in the same block. I thought I’d take a look at the people who own them. Given the Ruby connection, it might be useful.”
She saw the look. Elwyn was sceptical. It didn’t matter what she said, he thought she wanted to go because of Jed McAteer.
* * *
They pulled up in front of Don Akerman’s place at the back of the Apollo in Ardwick. The area was rundown, awaiting redevelopment. There were empty houses on the opposite side of the street and a burnt-out car stood centre stage of what passed as a play area at the far end.
“Perhaps we should have brought back-up,” Elwyn remarked.
“We’re fine. Look around, there’s no one here,” Rachel said. “This is his — number five.” She looked up. The front of the house looked shabby. One of the windows on the upper floor was boarded up and graffiti adorned most of the gable end of the terrace.
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