Taken

by Lisa Stone

  ‘If he is granted bail,’ Matt said, ‘it will come with conditions attached. He won’t be allowed to contact Leila or Kelsey, or leave the area, and we have his passport.’

  ‘Yes, apparently his solicitor asked for a safe house for him but was told there weren’t enough safe houses to go round for those in the witness protection scheme, let alone a defendant awaiting trial. If he’s released on bail, he’ll be expected to make his own arrangements if he doesn’t want to go back to his flat.’

  ‘He could stay with his imaginary friend,’ Matt suggested with a smile.

  ‘He hasn’t mentioned her again,’ Beth said. ‘I expect his solicitor told him he wasn’t doing himself any favours unless he named the person.’

  ‘He hasn’t had any visitors while he’s been held on remand,’ Matt said. ‘I checked.’

  ‘What about phone calls?’ Beth asked.

  Matt shook his head. ‘You’d have thought that if he really did have an accomplice, they might have been in contact while he was in prison.’

  ‘Although they would know all phone numbers are checked by the prison authorities first, so they would know who he was speaking to,’ Beth said. ‘There is one number in Weaver’s phone that hasn’t been accounted for yet. It’s a pay-as-you-go and not registered to anyone. It was used for about a year prior to Leila going missing. I’ve tried phoning it, but it goes through to voicemail. It could be anyone.’

  ‘Or someone of interest,’ Matt said. ‘If he’s released on bail it might be worth a trip to see if anyone collects him. Do you fancy a ride out to Sleaseford Prison?’

  ‘Yes, why not? We can call on Kelsey afterwards and inform her. Sharon will need to be told too if he is released.’

  At midday, DS Bert Scrivener stood up and announced that Colin Weaver had been granted bail and would be returning to his flat to live until his trial, as he didn’t have anywhere else to go. ‘His solicitor has requested that the key to the padlock we’ve put on his door be taken to him,’ he said. ‘Beth, Matt, go to Sleaseford and tail Weaver when he comes out. Then meet him at his flat and give him the key.’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Matt said, standing. ‘We’ll also inform Kelsey Smith and the aunt Leila is staying with that he’s out.’

  The DS nodded. ‘I suggest you two leave now or Weaver will have been processed and let out by the time you get there.’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Beth said, also standing. ‘We’re on our way.’

  An hour later, Beth and Matt were sitting in the unmarked police car down a side road opposite Sleaseford Prison, watching the main gate and eating a sandwich lunch. The prison, built in the 1950s, was on the outskirts of the old part of town and flanked by streets of Victorian terraced housing. Matt had finished his BLT and was downing a large Americano as Beth sipped her latte before starting on her cheese and cress roll. Suddenly the integral metal door of the prison opened and Colin Weaver stepped out, carrying his belongings in a plastic bag. Beth and Matt quickly set aside their food as Weaver immediately turned right and hurried down a side street.

  ‘I’ll follow him on foot,’ Matt said, and got out.

  Beth started the car and headed off after them, following at a safe distance so that if Weaver turned, he wouldn’t see her. Matt, head down, was walking unobtrusively a few people behind Weaver as he navigated the back streets, heading for the town centre.

  Ten minutes later, Weaver entered the bus and coach station where he bought a ticket. Beth parked in one of the designated pick-up/drop-off bays where she could see them. Weaver had gone into the waiting room and sat down, while Matt stood outside at a bus stop as if he were waiting for a bus, where he could see Weaver. Beth could see Matt was getting cold, but it was his own fault as he never wore a coat in winter, just a light jacket. She finished her lunch as buses and coaches came and went. Then a coach pulled in with the destination sign showing Coleshaw.

  Weaver stood, came out of the waiting room, showed his ticket to the driver and embarked. Matt remained where he was until the coach pulled away and then returned to the car.

  ‘I think we can assume he’s going to Coleshaw,’ Matt said, rubbing his hands to try to warm them. ‘The coach makes one stop and doesn’t arrive for another ninety minutes. As Weaver hasn’t made contact with anyone we may as well head back and see Kelsey first. I’ll update the DS as we go, and call Leila’s aunt.’ His teeth chattered from cold.

  Beth turned up the heating in the car and headed for the motorway.

  Forty-five minutes later they were outside Kelsey Smith’s front door, which was covered in graffiti. She answered the bell on the second ring, dressed smartly in what looked like new clothes, and with freshly washed and styled hair.

  ‘Hello, Kelsey,’ Beth said. ‘How are you? You look good.’

  ‘I’m doing OK, thanks.’

  They followed her into the living room, which was clean and tidy.

  ‘Something smells tasty,’ Matt said, sniffing the air.

  ‘I made myself a steak sandwich for lunch,’ Kelsey said. ‘I would offer you some, but I ate the lot.’

  ‘Well done you,’ Beth said with a smile. As far as she knew, it was the first time Kelsey had cooked anything beyond oven chips. ‘How is Leila?’ she asked, sitting on the sofa beside Kelsey. Matt positioned himself by the window. It didn’t matter that they weren’t in a patrol car – thugs could spot an unmarked police car.

  ‘Leila’s fine as far as I know,’ Kelsey said, a little subdued. ‘I didn’t get to speak to her last night. She was tired and was in bed when I phoned, but I’m hoping to see her later today. Sharon lives over thirty miles away and I don’t drive, so Peter said they should come here.’

  Beth nodded. ‘Has Leila said anything more about the time she was missing?’

  ‘Not as far as I know, but I haven’t spoken to her since Peter took her.’

  Beth held her gaze. There was no easy way to say what she had to. Kelsey was sure to be angry, upset and frightened. Victims usually were when they learned the accused was out on bail. They assumed – as did many members of the public – they would be locked up until their trial. ‘Kelsey, there’s something we need to tell you,’ Beth said. ‘Colin Weaver has been granted bail and will be returning to live in his flat until his trial.’

  ‘What the—!’ Kelsey’s face immediately registered shock and anger. ‘But he’s dangerous! He could snatch another child.’

  ‘The judge has decided otherwise.’

  ‘Idiot!’ Kelsey snapped.

  ‘Try not to worry,’ Beth said. ‘Mr Weaver isn’t allowed to come anywhere near you or Leila. It’s one of the conditions of his bail. We’ve told Sharon too.’

  ‘You spoke to her today?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘About half an hour ago.’

  Kelsey looked thoughtful and then asked, ‘Weaver doesn’t know where Leila is, does he?’

  ‘No. And if he approaches you, call us and he’ll be straight back to prison for breaching the terms of his bail. I appreciate it’s going to be difficult for you with him living in the flat below, but the judge felt it was reasonable that he should be allowed to go home, as he didn’t have anywhere else to go.’

  ‘I’ll show him where to go!’ Kelsey said angrily.

  ‘No, you won’t,’ Matt warned. ‘If you see Weaver, which is quite possible, just walk on by. If you assault him, you will be in the wrong and you could be arrested.’

  ‘It might be worth it,’ Kelsey said. ‘Teach him a lesson. I have nightmares about what he did to Leila.’

  ‘I know, and he will be punished,’ Beth reassured her.

  ‘So what happens now?’ Kelsey asked. ‘The trial isn’t for another three months.’

  ‘You try to get on with your life,’ Beth said. ‘Nearer the trial date, I can go through with you what to expect in court.’

  ‘Leila won’t have to go to court, will she?’ Kelsey asked anxiously.

  ‘No. Not at her age. She wil
l be able to give her evidence on tape when she feels up to it.’

  ‘Supposing she never feels up to it. Will he get off?’

  ‘There’s plenty of circumstantial and forensic evidence,’ Matt said. ‘And remember that Weaver is still pleading guilty to abducting Leila.’

  Kelsey gave a half-hearted nod.

  ‘Do you have any questions?’ Beth asked.

  ‘Did my sister say anything to you about Leila when you spoke to her?’

  ‘No. We just informed her that Mr Weaver was out on bail and that was it, really.’

  Kelsey picked up her phone and checked the caller display. Sharon hadn’t called.

  ‘We’ll be in touch soon, then,’ Beth said, standing.

  Matt came over from the window.

  ‘Take care,’ Beth said. ‘We’ll let ourselves out.’

  ‘Yes, make sure you close the door properly, please. I don’t feel safe with him out of prison.’

  As Matt and Beth let themselves out, Kelsey studied her phone. Sharon had been able to answer the call from the police, so why hadn’t she returned any of her calls? She’d been phoning about every half-hour, and had left two messages, but she’d heard nothing, not even a text. It was frustrating, worrying and annoying. She’d gone out early when the shops had opened and bought Leila a pay-as-you-go phone and was planning to give it to her later that day when she saw her. Sharon wasn’t in work until school started the following week, so Kelsey couldn’t imagine what was so important that she couldn’t ring her back.

  With mounting concern and annoyance, she pressed Sharon’s mobile number again, half expecting it to go through to voicemail. She was surprised when it was answered immediately.

  ‘Hi, I was just about to call you,’ Sharon said chirpily. ‘Sorry I haven’t been in touch. It’s been non-stop here. I’ve been running to stand still. Parenting is a sharp learning curve for me.’ She gave a little laugh. With Sharon so chatty and friendly, Kelsey felt guilty for thinking badly of her sister. ‘I’ll fetch Leila so you can talk to her.’

  ‘Thanks, but when will I see her?’

  ‘Tomorrow. I’m taking her to a pantomime later this afternoon.’

  ‘Oh, OK,’ Kelsey said, disappointed.

  ‘It’s New Year’s Eve tomorrow so I’ll bring a bottle of bubbly and we can celebrate the new year together as a family.’

  ‘That would be lovely,’ Kelsey said, putting aside her disappointment at not seeing Leila. ‘Although I won’t have much to drink; I don’t want to relapse again.’

  ‘Of course not, just a little one to see in the new year. Here’s Leila, she’s dying to talk to you.’

  ‘Thank you, and thanks for everything, Sharon.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  Leila came on the phone. ‘Hi, Mummy, I miss you.’

  ‘I miss you too, love. We’re seeing each other tomorrow. And I’ve bought you a phone.’

  ‘Great! I’ll be able to speak to you whenever I want and not …’ She stopped.

  ‘Can Sharon hear you?’ Kelsey asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘OK, don’t mention it again. The phone will be our secret. When I see you tomorrow I’ll slip it to you quietly when she’s not looking.’ Kelsey laughed conspiratorially. ‘I’ve put plenty of credit on it so we can phone each other whenever we want.’

  ‘Fantastic. We can phone at night,’ Leila chuckled.

  ‘Yes, but don’t say any more. How are you?’

  ‘OK, I guess,’ Leila said, dropping her voice. ‘It’s very different here.’

  ‘I know, but Aunty Sharon is looking after you?’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘And you’re going to a pantomime this afternoon.’

  ‘Yes. I wish you were coming too.’

  ‘So do I, love.’

  Kelsey heard her sister’s voice in the background, calling Leila.

  ‘I have to go now, Mum, and get ready,’ Leila said.

  ‘OK, have a good time and see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Love you.’

  ‘Love you too.’

  The call ended. Kelsey couldn’t help feeling jealous that it was Sharon taking Leila to her first pantomime and not her, but she dismissed it as selfish. It would have been nice if Sharon had included her and they could all have gone together, but she guessed that wasn’t practical given the distance and that she didn’t drive. Sharon was clearly looking after Leila and she should be grateful. She needed to put all her efforts into proving to Peter Harris that she really had got her life on track and was capable of looking after Leila herself.

  THIRTY-NINE

  After leaving Kelsey Smith’s flat, Matt and Beth checked that Colin Weaver wasn’t already waiting for them outside his flat, and then returned to their car to wait for him. They were parked directly in front of the one main door in and out of the flats, and were expecting him any time, assuming of course he’d come straight home as he’d told his solicitor.

  ‘Kelsey seems to be doing all right,’ Beth said as she gazed through the windscreen.

  ‘She does,’ Matt agreed. ‘Better than I would have expected. Not sure it will do her any good, though.’

  ‘There seems to be a determination about her this time. I think Leila’s abduction has given her a wake-up call.’

  ‘And having all her other children taken into care didn’t?’ Matt asked cynically.

  ‘Sometimes it just isn’t the right time to turn your life around,’ Beth said. ‘Pity. In another life I think she would have made a good mother. Look, here comes Mr Weaver.’

  They both looked through the windscreen as the lone figure, grey overcoat flapping in the wind and plastic bag over his arm, plodded towards his flat. Small in stature, head down, he appeared an insignificant character and not one you would immediately associate with a carefully executed plan to abduct a child and then evade a nationwide police search.

  ‘Someone is sure to have a go at him,’ Matt said. ‘If not Kelsey, there are plenty of others on the estate who will.’

  ‘I know. It’s crazy him coming back here. He’d have been safer staying in prison.’

  As he approached, they got out of the car and then waited by the entrance to the flats. Colin Weaver continued along the path towards them and looked up at the last moment. ‘Oh, it’s you,’ he said, startled.

  ‘Good afternoon,’ Matt said. ‘We’ve brought the key to unlock your front door as your solicitor requested.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I see, thank you.’

  They followed him through the main door. ‘You’ll need to get a locksmith to fit a new lock,’ Matt said as they climbed the stairs.

  ‘And who’s going to pay for that?’ Weaver asked. ‘You’ve got all my money.’

  ‘You can apply to have it returned. Also, try putting in a claim to your insurance company,’ Matt said. ‘Your solicitor should be able to advise you.’

  Weaver huffed. ‘Why does it take two of you to bring me a key?’ he asked as they arrived at his floor. ‘It’s intimidating.’

  ‘It wasn’t our intention to be intimidating,’ Beth said in a consolatory tone. ‘We often work in pairs and we’ve just come from seeing Mrs Smith.’

  They went along the corridor to his flat, 317. ‘Jesus! You’ve made a right bloody mess of my door,’ Weaver exclaimed.

  ‘Nothing that can’t be put right,’ Matt said. He unlocked the padlock and handed the key to Weaver. ‘You’ll have to jam the door shut from the inside until you get the lock replaced,’ he said helpfully.

  Weaver hesitated. ‘Are you coming in?’

  ‘Briefly,’ Matt said. ‘Just to make sure everything’s OK.’

  Beth and Matt stood aside to let Weaver go in first. The flat was cold and smelt shut-up. They watched as Weaver turned on the heating and then went from room to room, looking in and tutting. It was obvious the place had been thoroughly searched and that the crime-scene officers had been in, but the disruption was minimal and could have been far worse, Beth thoug
ht.

  ‘You could wedge the front door to with one of those dining chairs for now,’ Matt suggested as they stood in the living room. ‘For your own protection.’

  ‘Why would I need protecting?’ Weaver asked, apparently genuinely not understanding the situation he was in.

  ‘Feelings can run high in cases like this,’ Matt said. ‘Phone us if you have any problems or 999 if the situation is life-threatening.’

  ‘Life-threatening! But I’m innocent,’ Weaver exclaimed, horrified.

  Beth and Matt ignored this. ‘Your solicitor explained the terms of your bail?’ Beth asked. ‘You know you mustn’t contact Leila, Mrs Smith or her sister, either in person, by phone, text or email.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ he said testily. ‘As if I’m going to contact them after all the trouble they’ve caused me.’

  ‘That’s fine then,’ Matt said, throwing Beth a glance.

  Colin Weaver began opening and closing the kitchen cupboard doors, checking what was in them. A strong smell of rotting food escaped as he opened the fridge door. ‘I’m going to have to throw all this away and go shopping,’ he moaned. ‘Hopefully my credit card still works.’

  ‘I would call the locksmith first,’ Beth said, and she and Matt headed to the door.

  ‘I’d have thought rotting food would be the least of his worries,’ Matt said once they were outside.

  ‘So would I. I still don’t think he’s got the measure of the seriousness of what he’s done.’

  Meanwhile, inside his flat, Colin was doing as Matt had suggested and dragging a dining chair to wedge against the front door to keep it closed before the lock was replaced. He was angry he’d been put in this position when none of this was his fault. He felt violated and humiliated: arrested, interrogated, locked up in prison, and then coming back to this. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He should have been far away from here by now, enjoying his new life abroad. Why hadn’t she phoned the police and explained? Had something gone badly wrong that had stopped her? But first things first – he needed to get a new lock fitted to his front door.

  Colin sat on the sofa, coat still on, and took his wallet from his pocket. The police still had his bag of money containing his life savings, mobile and laptop, but his wallet with his credit cards had been returned to him. He picked up the landline phone, which thankfully was still working, and began by phoning directory enquiries. ‘I need the number of an emergency locksmith,’ he said.