For the Sake of the Children: The first Chloe Webster thriller (Chloe Webster Thrillers Book 1)

by Alex Highcliffe

  ‘I’ll be fine. I’d better go and get ready. Thanks for the fish and chips.’

  Chloe skipped off upstairs and her father carried the plates over to the sink. He longed to see his daughter happy and the move she had made to this new firm worried him. It sounded to him like she was working with a bunch of arrogant, self-centred idiots. He wondered if all civilian jobs were like that. In the army he had worked with people who would probably give their own lives to save his, people with whom he had shared everything and anything; true comradery and he missed it. He placed the clean plates on the side board to dry, and then winced as the angry pain in his leg fired again.

  A car hooted outside.

  ‘Chloe love, is that for you?’ he called.

  28

  Nathan sat in the police station interview room, head in hands. He felt helpless. Hollow. He’d left the park and searched the nearby roads and shops, calling his daughter’s name. After an hour or so a police car had pulled up and offered assistance. Someone must have called them. He collapsed into the car, relieved that help had arrived, but also distraught that he had to stop searching and accompany them to the police station. They assured him that they were doing everything they could to find Francesca, but isn’t that what they always said? He felt so useless sat here when he should be out looking.

  ‘Mr Whitehurst, can we just go through this one more time please?’ The officer spoke very good English, albeit with a heavy Dutch accent.

  ‘Yes, but why aren’t you out looking for her?’

  ‘We are, Mr Whitehurst, we are, but it is important that we know all the facts. I have officers searching the streets all around the area, but we need to know as much as possible about what happened and what you saw.’

  Nathan ran his hands over his face and back through his thinning hair. ‘She was playing on the slide, and then I got talking to this guy who wanted to know about hotels or something. I was sure I could see Francesca playing, but when I approached her it wasn’t her. And that’s when I realised…’

  His voice broke and the police officer reached over and refilled his glass with water from a jug.

  ‘I know it’s hard Mr Whitehurst. This man, what did he look like?’

  ‘He was big, really big, but not fat. Tall and thick-set, and he was wearing a long black coat.’

  ‘Leather?’

  ‘No, more like a raincoat I think.’

  ‘And his face?’

  ‘I don’t recall. He was standing over me and I think his scarf was covering some of it, and to be honest I was too busy looking at Francesca to pay much attention to him.’

  The police officer picked up the telephone on the desk and spoke quickly in Dutch. He replaced the receiver and looked at Nathan.

  ‘Okay Mr Whitehurst. My officers have the description and they are looking out for him as we speak. We’ll find your daughter sir, I promise.’

  But Nathan wasn’t reassured by the words. It was obvious that the police thought she had been abducted. Had he really been the victim of a targeted operation? Was the big man deliberately distracting him whilst someone else snatched her?

  Where is she? What’s happening to her?

  But he knew he had to stay focused and not think about such things for Francesca’s sake as well as his own. The thoughts trying to force their way into his mind would only send him over the edge. The stress that had flooded his body was overwhelming and he prayed he would wake up from this nightmare and that his daughter would be safely back by his side.

  The interview room door was flung open and his wife staggered in, her eyes surrounded by streaks of make-up. He stood up and took hold of her as she fell into his arms.

  ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.’ It was all he could say. His wife didn’t reply, and her body racked as she sobbed into his chest.

  29

  ‘What time is it?’ called Chloe from the top of the stairs.

  ‘Ten to seven,’ replied her father.

  ‘Bloody hell he’s early. Hang on, I’ll be down in a minute.’

  Her father opened the front door and could immediately see why his daughter had agreed to go out with the man standing before him. He had an engaging smile that reminded him of a Hollywood movie star, his dark hair neatly parted to one side and a complexion so clear that he might just have come from a session with a makeup artist. He realised he was staring.

  ‘I’m sorry, hello, you’ve come for Chloe of course. She won’t be long. I’m her father, Jack.’

  ‘Ben. I’m pleased to meet you. You have a lovely home. It’s beautiful round here isn’t it?’

  ‘Yeah it’s quiet; we certainly like it. Won’t you come in? I’m sure she’ll be down…’

  ‘Hi Ben.’ Chloe came thundering down the stairs. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, the time just flew by.’

  ‘Not a problem, I’m a few minutes early I think. I was just saying to your father how lovely it is around here.’

  ‘Yes, right, well, shall we make a move? It starts at half past doesn’t it?’ Chloe felt like an awkward fourteen year old, standing there between her father and her date.

  My date? Is that what he is?

  ‘Yes, we’d better get going. Nice to meet you Jack.’

  ‘And you Ben. Look after her for me won’t you?’ He couldn’t help himself. He’d looked after her all his life and there was nothing he could do to stop the protective instinct from surfacing.

  ‘Don’t worry, you can count on me sir.’

  Chloe followed Ben down to the car and he opened the door for her. She glanced back at her father who gave her a discreet thumbs-up. She rolled her eyes at him and then turned and sank into the warm leather seat of Ben’s BMW, waving to her father as the car pulled away into the night.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ she said.

  ‘Oh it’s my fault. As I say, I was a little early. The traffic was much lighter than I thought it would be.’

  ‘No, I mean about my dad. I really should find a place of my own. He’s always nagging me to get somewhere. It’s a bit embarrassing me still living at home at twenty four.’

  ‘I think it’s rather sweet. He’s clearly very fond of you. But then why wouldn’t he be, he’s your father after all?’

  Chloe laughed. She looked out into the night as they made the journey into Sheffield through open countryside. There was still a stubborn mist which, together with the dark sky, meant there wasn’t much to appreciate out there.

  ‘So, tell me something about Ben.’

  ‘Well, there isn’t much to tell really. I’m your typical twenty seven year old lawyer. Trained and bred by Anderson, Gormley and Drake.’

  ‘I was thinking more of the real Ben; the person not the lawyer.’

  ‘Ah, I see. Well, I like going to the theatre…’

  ‘Well, duh, obviously.’

  ‘Ha, yes. You could have guessed that. Oh I don’t know, I like going out and socialising, the usual twenty-something stuff. What about you?’

  ‘Yeah, the same kind of things I suppose. You have a nice car.’

  ‘Thanks, my pride and joy.’

  The drive into Sheffield was trouble free and they chatted effortlessly about their families and previous holidays and experiences. He was definitely easy to talk to and Chloe felt very comfortable in his presence. Ben parked up on a side street about a five minute walk away from the Crucible Theatre. Rain was beginning to fall as they climbed out of the car and Ben instantly appeared next to her with a huge golfing umbrella.

  ‘Why thank you kind sir!’

  ‘It’s a pleasure, my lady.’

  She linked his arm and they walked slowly through the town. People hurried around them in the rain, but Chloe was enjoying the walk too much to be tempted to rush.

  ‘What do you think of Ray?’ she asked. It was the first time either of them had mentioned work.

  ‘Oh he’s okay, really. Certainly looks after his clients well. Has a reputation for it and they seem to be very loyal to him.’
r />   ‘I don’t like him. He lacks people skills.’

  He laughed. ‘I know what you mean, but as I say, he gets the job done and is well respected for it. Maybe you just need to give him a chance. Maybe try doing as he asks?’ He raised his voice as if it were a question. Chloe didn’t know quite what to make of this last comment, but she didn’t want to spoil what had been an enjoyable evening so far, so she changed the subject.

  ‘I can see the lights of the theatre, we’re nearly there. Have you seen this play before?’

  ‘No, I just liked the look of it to be honest. You never really know with comedies, they can be a bit hit and miss, so let’s hope it’s funny.’

  ‘Well even if it’s not, I’m having a good time,’ said Chloe, coyly.

  She looked across and he smiled back at her.

  ‘Me too.’

  30

  Nathan sat clutching his wife’s hand. The clock on the wall taunted him that it was five thirty in the morning, more than twelve hours since Francesca had disappeared. There was no chance of either of them sleeping, and he wondered if they would ever be able to sleep peacefully again.

  Of course we will. They’ll find her. They have to find her.

  His wife rested her head on his shoulder. They were both exhausted but despite the insistence of the police to go back to the hotel, they couldn’t face leaving without their daughter. They longed for news, a development, a glimmer of hope - something, anything to cling on to.

  The officer came back into the room and sat down opposite them.

  ‘I think we have something…’

  ‘You’ve found her?’ They both said it at the same time, and it might even have been funny in different circumstances.

  ‘I’m afraid not. But we do have a possible sighting.’

  ‘Where? Can we come with you?’ Nathan wasn’t even thinking as he spoke, it was just a reaction.

  The officer raised his hands as if to try to calm them.

  ‘Please, Mr Whitehurst, let me explain. It’s not as straightforward as that. I wish it was, believe me, but we have to follow procedures. Now listen, we have received a call from Humberside police in England. Someone called them from the ferry terminal. They saw a young girl with two men and thought she looked out of place. Now don’t worry when I say this but it seems she was distressed. I’m sorry Mrs Whitehurst, I know this is difficult. Here, have another tissue. Now, the person was suspicious enough to get a closer look and decided in the end to call the police. They contacted us to see if we had any reports of missing children.’

  ‘She’s in England?’ Nathan felt a strange sense of comfort in thinking his daughter was back in her home country. This was the something they’d been waiting for. Not the happy ending yet, but definitely progress.

  ‘She might be, yes. We fully briefed the English police, obviously. The ferry docked at Hull about an hour ago. Do you know Hull?’

  ‘I’ve heard of it, yes, but I’ve never been there. It’s up on the north east coast somewhere I think.’ Nathan squeezed his wife’s hand even tighter.

  ‘That’s right. Now, the caller said he saw a girl with blonde hair wearing a red coat, and as I say, he thought she looked distressed. I know this is not the end of it Mr Whitehurst, but if it was her, this is good news, believe me.’

  Nathan nodded. ‘Did the caller say anything else?’

  ‘He said the girl walked off the boat with two men. He tried to follow them but apparently lost them in the crowds.’ The police officer was reading the words from a piece of paper in front of him. ‘It doesn’t seem that he said anything else and unfortunately he didn’t leave his name or contact details. Oh, wait a minute, there is one other thing. Apparently he said the girl had remarkable eyes.’

  ‘That’s her!’

  31

  Thankfully, the rest of her first week passed without incident and Chloe was beginning to feel like she was part of the team. She assisted Drake with a few matters and he seemed to be quite impressed with her. She discovered that he had a daughter around the same age as her and that had at least given her something in common with him; they had shared the odd joke or two about ‘today’s youngsters’ and how he couldn’t keep up with them.

  She’d also made more of an effort with Ray and became used to looking beyond his rather pitiful manners to the lawyer that Ben had claimed he was. And she had to agree, Ray was actually quite an impressive solicitor, often going out of his way to help his clients and ensure they were pleased with his work. Perhaps she had misjudged him, although she wondered if he knew where to draw the line in terms of carrying out his clients’ instructions to the letter.

  She hadn’t seen a great deal of Ben. They met up for lunch towards the end of the week but it was a rushed affair as they were both so busy. He suggested that they might go out again the following week and they agreed to try to arrange something soon. Chloe didn’t mind. If they were actually dating, and she wasn’t sure that they were, then she was happy to take things slowly. She had appreciated his invitation to the theatre the other night, and although the play was mediocre, they had both enjoyed each other’s company.

  Now, after a restful weekend spent doing very little she was ready for the challenges of a new week. She was in early and the office was still quite empty, although she noticed Ray was already at his desk and having an animated conversation with someone. The computer screen in front of her said it was twenty to eight. She assumed he must be speaking to a friend at this time on a Monday morning.

  As she had hoped, a quiet couple of hours allowed her to catch up with some outstanding matters. Letters and file notes were all dispatched into the Dictaphone with efficiency and by ten o’clock Chloe was ready for a coffee. Then her mobile phone rang and the screen told her it was Chelsie Swanson.

  ‘Hello Chelsie. What can I do for you?’ She hoped everything was okay. It soon became apparent that it wasn’t.

  ‘Mark’s been round again, Chloe, last night, kicking the door and threatening all kinds of things. Why doesn’t he just leave me alone, the bastard?’ Chloe wasn’t sure if it was anger or fear she could hear, maybe a bit of both.

  ‘Because he knows he’s scaring you. He’s a bully and he should still be locked up for what he did to George. I assume you called the police?’

  ‘I did, yes, but he’d gone by the time they arrived. Of course, the neighbours saw nothing; they’re all too scared to speak against him.’

  ‘All right Chelsie, I’ll talk to the police myself but there’s probably not much I can do. George is still at your mum’s isn’t he?’

  ‘Yeah, he’s safe. I wish I could go and stay with him for a while.’ She sounded beyond miserable.

  ‘I know, but for now it’s better that you stay at home and leave George at your mum’s. We need to convince the authorities that he’s safe, and they’re likely to agree that he is safe as long as he’s being looked after by his grandmother. Listen Chelsie, thanks for the call, you did the right thing. Call the police if he comes back, and don’t let him in.’

  ‘I won’t. Thanks Chloe.’

  ‘I’ll speak to you soon Chelsie.’

  Chloe hung up and thought about recent events. She really didn’t like the sound of it, but there was little she could do to speed things along. She reassured herself that George was safe, because he was the most important, the most vulnerable, and the most innocent person in all of this.

  32

  ‘I spy with my little eye something beginning with C.’

  ‘Car.’

  ‘Clouds.’

  ‘You’re both wrong.’ The Timer turned round from the passenger seat and looked at his girls. He winked and they grinned back at him.

  ‘Crowd.’

  ‘Clown.’ Both girls broke into fits of laughter.

  ‘Clown? Where is there a clown Molly? Remember you must be able to see it.’ He slowly held up two Mars Bars in a V shape.

  ‘Chocolate!’ came the excited reply from the two girls and they each
grabbed one of the bars. ‘Thanks daddy!’

  ‘You both be good for mummy today, okay? Daddy has some work to do, but I’ll see you later.’ He turned to his wife sat in the driver’s seat next to him. ‘Thanks for the lift darling. I won’t be late. Drive carefully.’

  ‘Bye love.’ She kissed him and watched him get out and walk off into the crowded Monday morning streets of Sheffield city centre. She didn’t really know what he did for a living and was happy to keep it that way. He’d told her right from the start that he would never have an ordinary job, and that she would never know the details of what he did, but also that it would never affect her or the children in any way. And to be fair, in the ten years they’d been married it never had. She told herself that he was probably some bigwig with a sensitive role in the city, or something to do with the security forces, a spy perhaps. But in her heart she knew that wasn’t the case. Whatever it was, it paid well; she and the girls had never wanted for anything. The house, the cars, the holidays, they had it all. And most importantly, he was a great father to his daughters, not just in terms of materialistic things, but because he gave them the most important thing that any father can give to their children. His time.

  The car pulled away and she looked around at all the people going about their daily routines - ordinary, plain, boring people with ordinary plain boring lives.

  How she envied them.

  33

  ‘Chloe Webster speaking.’

  ‘Hello Miss Webster, it’s Gloria. I have Mr Crawford down here. I’ve put him in meeting room two.’

  ‘Thank you Gloria, I’ll be right down.’

  Although she hung up without another word, progress was slowly being made. Chloe had been making an effort to stop and say hello to Gloria now and again and it seemed that the ice was melting. She was at least civil to her now, and she knew that was more than some people had achieved despite having been at the firm for much longer than Chloe.