The Silent Ones: Could You Leave A Child Behind? (Chrissy Livingstone Book 3)

by Linda Coles

  “What time do you think you’ll be back?” he asked as she fastened herself in and turned the car back towards the garage.

  “I don’t know in truth, I’ll have to play it by ear. Can I text you?”

  “If you’re not back when we close, Jake will run me home, I’m sure.” She pulled up outside and left the engine idling. He turned to her once more before adding, “Watch yourself. You’ve no idea what this is yet.”

  “Always,” she said and gave him a light wave before watching him head to the garage and open up for the day. She paused a moment, hoping she hadn’t disturbed his routine too much, then pulled away, driving south towards Cork and beyond.

  It was almost 10 am by the time she arrived at Kinsale on the south-east coast of Ireland. The weather had changed since she’d first left and a weak, watery sun hung low in the sky, still trying its best to climb and warm the town below. She drove down the 607 towards the town centre, the River Bandon out in front of her. It would had been tempting to have a quick look around since, she’d likely never return again, but there wasn’t time for sightseeing. Google Maps directed her across to Spring Mount, the address she’d deciphered from Bronagh’s cryptic code; it was only a couple more miles away. All the time she’d been driving, Chrissy had wondered what she might find, how she’d approach things, and decided that first off she’d just sit and monitor and see what, if anything, was visible. That was about as far ahead as she could plan under the circumstances.

  Spring Mount turned out to be small, town-style houses in an equally small estate. A car park for residents split the two rows of houses in half, a grassy area in front. It would be too obvious to park in the residents’ area so Chrissy carried on a little further up the road before pulling in. A couple of cars were parked on the narrow road itself. All was quiet, nothing to see or hear so far, but then it was mid-morning, folks would be at work. She turned the car around so that it was pointed in the direction of the house and waited, gathering her surroundings. She observed the other vehicles that were nearby, and any movement, but there was nothing of interest to note except for one. A car parked further on down caught her attention as a bright flash of light glinted off something inside. Maybe it was someone’s watch, maybe it was a woman’s compact mirror. Perhaps a woman doing a make-up or someone with a laptop even. She reached inside her bag, pulled out Richard’s small binoculars and focused closely on the vehicle, but all she could see was the top of a man’s head. He was obviously looking down at something in his lap. Possibly a local resident on his way out of his house, or coming home perhaps after an evening shift, a salesperson even. There was no reason he would be anything else and Chrissy labelled him as uneventful. Her stomach rumbled and she ached for a fresh coffee, not to mention the loo. She should have stopped somewhere along the way. While she needed to take a look around the back of the property or knock on the door, the man in the car prevented her from doing so. He may not be anything to be concerned about, but she most certainly would stand out snooping through windows and couldn’t risk taking a look while he was sitting there. Was he going to be long? She saw his head lift and glance across at the small row of houses again, the same as she was interested in. Perhaps he had an appointment.

  “I can’t sit here all day,” she mumbled to herself. “Move on, would you? Then I can go and knock on the door.” As if he’d heard her, the man started his engine, reversed into the residents’ parking area and slowly pulled out of the road. He’d finished what he’d come for.

  “Thank you,” she said to the empty space. Chrissy was about to get out and head towards the front door when it opened. She pulled her own door closed as she watched a man push a buggy towards a small car parked outside the house opposite. She gasped at the realisation of who she was looking at.

  It was Lorcan.

  He was on the move. Could it be Flynn in the buggy? It looked like the same as the one she’d pushed the child in earlier in the week before handing him over to Tilly Murphy. It was obvious he was in a hurry as he loaded the child into a booster seat, put the buggy in the boot and then quickly got into the driver’s side and started the engine. It took only seconds – practised, Chrissy wondered – and she watched as the two of them pulled away.

  She was ready to follow.

  Chapter 70

  Chrissy stayed well back as she followed the car out of Spring Mount and it turned left at the junction. There was no chance of him recognising the car she was driving since it was Brocc’s and as old as the hills, but still she didn’t want him to know that he was being followed. He took a series of lefts and rights, weaving his way through the back streets, seemingly heading towards the town centre. It was along one of these that Chrissy noticed a car pull in behind her. Glancing in her rear-view mirror, she immediately recognised the vehicle. It was the same one that had been parked outside the house only moments earlier. Had he known that Lorcan was going to be on the move or was it purely a coincidence? She was tempted to pull in herself and let the car pass so she could follow him at the same time, though didn’t want to be too obvious about. She needed to find out where Lorcan was going, that was the important item on her agenda right now. On the other hand, he was definitely being followed, so was he in danger? He may need her help yet.

  It wasn’t long before they arrived in the town centre and whether Lorcan had noticed the two cars behind him or not, he pulled over at a telephone box anyway. Chrissy drove on past, and turned to see the other car drive on up a side street where it pulled in. Watching through her rear-view mirror once more, she waited to see what the other driver would do before pulling over herself. A car behind her blasted its horn at her lack of attention as she dawdled along, focused on the activities of the two people in her sights. She watched as Lorcan headed inside the phone box to make a call. Maybe he hadn’t got a mobile phone any longer. Or maybe he didn’t want any record of the call he was about to make. She waited.

  The town was busy. It was a weekday morning with holidaymakers and local businesspeople mixing as they walked, some grabbing coffee, others lunches for later, and it was hard to keep her eye on the phone box for the traffic driving up and down the road. She wasn’t sitting in the perfect place, but she didn’t want to let on that she’d seen him just yet, content to monitor and see what he would do next. Would he go back to the house or go on somewhere else? And what about the other vehicle? Would they continue to follow?

  Finally, Lorcan finished his call and got back in his car and pulled away. She let him pass so he was in front of her and waited to see what the other car did and wasn’t surprised to see him pull in behind Lorcan’s. All she could do now was join in the tag team and follow. It seemed somebody else was interested in Lorcan too. Chrissy soon realised, as the road wrapped back around, that he was driving the long way to get back to the house. Maybe he was aware he’d got a tail or he was simply being cautious, just in case. Or just maybe he was trying to get Flynn off to sleep. Many parents drove around aimlessly at night in particular, the soothing motion of the car allowing the child to be rocked to slumber. She’d done it herself. As Lorcan turned right towards home, the other driver turned left over the bridge and away from the town. She suspected he’d be pulling over shortly, figuring where his target was travelling back to, and not wanting his tail to be spotted. He would be back in the vicinity of the house in a few minutes. The road was quiet for a time, which was a shame, she could have done with pulling in herself and letting a car or two drive in between her and Lorcan to take her out of his rear-view mirror. She hoped he hadn’t spotted her. There was no other choice but to tail him from a distance and it wasn’t long before Lorcan turned back into Spring Mount. He was, in fact, heading home. She turned off down a side road just before his address and figured out what to do next. Would the other man reappear shortly? Would he drive past the end of the road where she was sitting or maybe come back later? Her bladder let her know it was getting time to do something urgently before she created a puddle in Brocc’s
car. That would never do. It was unfortunate timing and she cursed herself for not stopping sooner. She had to confirm he had indeed arrived home, so she pulled out and entered Spring Mount once again, driving straight through, glancing exactly at the place where she knew Lorcan had parked his car earlier. It was sitting in the space opposite again. Her bladder pressed a little more, she had to take care of it and soon. Now she knew Lorcan was safely back, she pulled out of the road once again and headed down to the town to find a public toilet. She’d grab provisions before returning, she could be sitting there a while to come.

  Having picked up a sandwich and a bottle of water, and with the all-important bladder relieved, she headed back up to Lorcan’s place and prepared to wait it out. It wasn’t long before a familiar car once again turned into the road and cruised slowly along before finally pulling in a little way down from its previous position. Balding man was back. She slithered down in her seat, not wanting him to see her, though it was obvious now he was looking at the house. How long was he going to hang around? She had no idea, but he was becoming a pain. An idea came to her and she smiled to herself, wondering if it would work. It was worth a try.

  Chapter 71

  If she drove past him, he’d likely twig that he’d seen her car recently and know she was up to something too. So all Chrissy could do was pretend she was a local resident out for a walk, heading down to the shops. She slung her bag over her shoulder and had her phone ready, finger on the button to take a photograph. All she needed was the registration plate of his car and hopefully, as she walked by, he’d be busy doing whatever he was doing in his lap and not pay her any attention. She now knew he too was waiting for activity at the house, maybe for Lorcan to go out in his car again, and that’s why he was tucked in at the end of the road. What was his interest? Was he an investigator too? As she approached it was easy enough to accomplish her goal and she snapped a few frames before stopping a little further on to check she’d got what she needed. To any other observer, she was just like any other woman on her phone before carrying on her way. While the picture was a bit blurry, she was able to make out the registration from the shots she’d taken. She looked up the number for the local Guards station, there was no need to make an emergency call. Walking along, she dialled, amused at what she was doing. She told the officer what she knew, that she’d seen a car loitering for most the morning, having left and come back and that it was currently sat just off Spring Mount. She gave the registration plate and was assured that someone would be up to have a look shortly. Once she’d completed her call, Chrissy headed straight back to her car to sit and wait for the pantomime to begin. It was about twenty minutes later when the first Guards vehicle turned into the road and stopped by the offending vehicle. What would he say, she wondered. Would they simply move him on? That would be the best outcome. A nosey neighbour reporting him to the Guards – he’d be annoyed, frustrated, and may not be back again today. That said, depending on what he was up to and how urgent it was, he might chance it. It was another ten minutes or so before the Guards left and she spotted both vehicles leaving the vicinity and could only imagine the fumes that would be seeping from the man’s ears at being moved on.

  With the coast now clear, she took the opportunity to walk up to Lorcan’s house and rap on the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone to answer. If he was in hiding, and she had every reason to think he was, he’d likely be watching from an upstairs window. The door stayed firmly closed. She pulled out her notebook and wrote Lorcan, we need to talk. Chrissy. She added her telephone number then slipped it through the letterbox in the hope that he’d read it and give her a call. She could only hope. Even though he’d just been out and used the telephone box, there wouldn’t be many people without a mobile, burner or otherwise. Or maybe the property had a landline. She walked back to her car and waited. There was little more she could do if he wasn’t going to answer the door or call. After another hour, she decided on another message and wrote He’s gone now. The Guards have escorted him away. I reported him for loitering. I’m outside, just give me a sign and I’ll come over. I’m on your side. Chrissy.

  She folded it in half and slipped it through the letterbox again and hoped for the best as she walked back to her car. Chrissy wondered where Ciara was, she hadn’t seen her at all, yet she’d seen Lorcan and, presumably, young Flynn. Maybe she was at work? Maybe he was left looking after the child. She sat hopeful in her vehicle, waiting and hoping he’d make contact.

  It was nearly half an hour later when the front door finally opened and Chrissy let a long breath out. She approached him with her hands in surrender, though she’d already said she was on his side. He opened the door fully for her without saying a single word. As soon as she was in the hallway, he closed it behind them and put the chain back on. A bolt top and bottom didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Hello Lorcan,” she said gently.

  “Hello again,” he said curtly. He didn’t look too happy to see her. “I suppose you want to talk?”

  “I most certainly do.”

  Chapter 72

  Chrissy took in the sparse surroundings; the furniture had seen better days. The room was warm from an electric fire in the hearth. They stayed standing, Lorcan’s eyes filled with anger.

  “You must be out of your mind coming here,” he said as they entered the small living room. “And thanks for dragging him along too.” He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder for effect.

  “I didn’t drag anybody along, I’ve no idea who he is. He was parked up when I arrived.”

  “Well it’s funny how you both show up on the same day. It’s been nice and quiet until this morning, and now two of you.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

  “Not likely,” he scoffed.

  “Then why did you let me in?”

  “Because at least you managed to get rid of him. So thanks for that.” Chrissy ignored the comment.

  “Are you in danger, Lorcan, is Flynn in danger?”

  “Well, we could be again, thanks to you.” He sounded deflated as he sat down in a nearby sofa chair. While it had seen better days, it looked comfortable enough and Chrissy sat down opposite. Flynn crawled around on the floor, unaware of the tension in the room. Neither of them spoke for what felt like minutes, but Chrissy needed to start somewhere and put him at ease. She knelt down on the floor next to the child and said hello, giving him a small tickle under his chin. Flynn looked back with a glazed look on his face. He didn’t seem to remember her.

  She made a start on the conversation ahead. “I was concerned about Flynn and when I realised I’d handed him over to someone that wasn’t part of family services, I couldn’t just let it be. I’d no idea what had happened to him or where he fitted into any of this. Nor you and Ciara for that matter.”

  “So many questions,” he said, deadpan. He wasn’t joking. He looked deadly serious, looked worn out. Dark circles sat heavily under his eyes, the product of so many sleepless nights. “Who knows you’re here?” he asked.

  “Just Adam, my husband. Nobody actually knows the exact address, although I daresay Bronagh’s been here before, has she?” He lifted his head up at the mention of her name.

  “How is she? I saw the accident on the news.”

  “She’s doing well. A broken leg, broken wrist, but she’s managing.” He nodded his understanding, fell silent again, obviously mulling over what or how much he could possibly say. He knew nothing of Chrissy. A decent night out in the pub back in Doolin was about it and it all seemed like a lifetime ago, though it had only been earlier in the week.

  “Why don’t you start by telling me who that man was outside and what he’s got to do with any of this, because I suspect he’s more foe than friend, am I right?”

  “I can’t tell you anything about him, because I’ve no idea who he is actually. I suspect he’s a private detective, would you believe.” Chrissy hadn’t been expecting that piece of news, not from Lorcan’s mouth.


  “What makes you say that?” She didn’t want to add that she was too, not yet.

  “Because my wife will not have accepted me just walking out, she would have sent someone to find me, drag me back. She’s that type of woman. Everything has to be on her terms.”

  “Ciara?”

  “No,” he said, smiling. “Ciara is not my wife. Tess is my wife for all of a whole twelve months. That’s how long we lasted before I couldn’t stand living with her any longer.” He seemed to go off in a dream state, staring up at the corner of the room that bore nothing of any activity or interest. It was just a place to focus his eyes while he thought back to whatever it was that was clearly upsetting him. Whoever Tess was, twelve months of marriage didn’t sound like it had been a good relationship.

  “So, you left Tess, and took Flynn, then came to Ireland. I’m also guessing Lorcan isn’t your real name then, since you come from Manchester.”

  “You’re quite smart, aren’t you?” he said. “Not only to find me in the first place but to put all this together after just two short meetings. Why did you pick it up, by the way, why didn’t you just leave us be?”

  “Because when I found Flynn all alone that morning, I couldn’t just leave it,” she said, raising her voice. “I had to find out what had happened, why two adults would leave their child alone while they ran off someplace. And it’s a good job I was there, after Bronagh ended up in hospital. Heaven only knows how long the poor child would have been there, uncared for and upset. He was in a bad enough state when I found him as it was.” Chrissy spat her words at him, her patience waning. She gave herself a moment to calm down a little – an argument wasn’t going to do anyone any good. She changed tack: “I wonder what your private detective outside has been told to do, how far to take it? He may just be taking some photos, or he may have a grander plan to follow.”