CHILDHUNT: A Mystery & Suspense Thriller in the Bestselling Diana Rivers Series (The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 5)

by Faith Mortimer

  Tony! Now there was an unsavoury character if Roger had ever met one. Roger often visited the village pub, The Magic Teapot. The MT, as it was fondly referred to, was run by a gregarious couple, Roy and Geraldine, who organised a full programme of weekly entertainment for the locals. Roger particularly enjoyed the quiz and kebab nights each week. Tony was one of the village residents, who unfortunately tried to muscle in on Roger’s quiz team when no one else wanted him. Tony had lived in Agios Mamas for a number of years and had acquired a reputation for two things: the first was in knowing everyone’s business and the second, for an apparent fondness for sex with much younger women. There was talk about his regular trips down into Limassol, and more recently he had been seen visiting a local ‘sauna and massage’ house. The house was run by Russians and staffed by a bevy of girls from Rumania, Poland and Russia. It was rumoured that a lot more went on than simple saunas. Roger knew gossip was often blown out of proportion, especially in a village community as small as Agios Mamas, but even so, he liked to stay well clear of Tony. After being involved and around the courts of England, Roger knew how sleaze could easily attach itself to an unwitting victim. And where there was sleaze concerning women, crime was always involved.

  On this occasion, he thought, Tony could be right about Bolton’s bird watching pastime. As Roger looked across the promontory towards the stone house, his keen eyes noticed a figure standing in an upstairs window. The burly figure was almost certainly Philip Bolton, and it looked as if he was holding something up to his face. Roger guessed he must be either taking photographs or watching some birds.

  Roger hurriedly looked away, not wanting to appear nosey. People were perfectly entitled to pursue their hobbies. He resumed his walk towards the hidden valley after glancing at his watch. If he made good time he could stop for lunch in the village on his return.

  Chapter 6

  William tucked his newspaper into his briefcase. After reading the headlines, he decided to save the bulk of the news for later. If he skipped lunch, he could leave work early and surprise Debbie and the kids. Debbie deserved his company more often. He knew he must have thrown her that morning by insisting they take up Diana and Steve’s offer to a drinks party. What harm could come of it? It was time Debbie got out and met some people and put some of her ghosts to rest. William was full aware of how tense she was, and sometimes that tension got out of control. For some reason her reaction that morning filled him with a nagging concern. He couldn’t place a finger on it, but he had a premonition of imminent danger.

  Deciding he was being over-imaginative, he moved from his desk to fetch some coffee. William entered the kitchen-cum-staffroom at the same time as one of his colleagues, Elaine Fryatt.

  Elaine smiled as she filled the kettle. “Well, good morning, and how is the weather doing up in the mountains today?”

  William studied gave the older woman a cursory glance. Her hair, more grey than blonde, framed her pretty face. Dressed in black trousers and a camel-coloured sweater, she looked business-like without being severe.

  “Sorry, Elaine, I was miles away. The weather? It’s a bit grey and stormy. It could even snow…it is cold enough.”

  Elaine made a little ‘O’ with her mouth as she spooned coffee into two cups. “That’s not good. How are Debbie and the kids? I bet they can’t wait for Christmas.”

  William grinned. “Hannah and Charlie are just about keeping everything under control. Debbie, she—” He broke off as he remembered his odd feeling earlier.

  Elaine immediately looked concerned. “What’s the matter?”

  William leaned against the worktop and folded his arms across his chest. “I’ve made Debbie promise to go to a small drinks party at Steve and Diana’s this week. Did I do wrong?”

  Elaine’s face softened. “I’m sure you didn’t. But I’m curious...why did you?” Elaine was the only one in Cyprus who knew Debbie’s secret. She had worked with William from the time he joined the company and watched with interest as his and Debbie’s love blossomed. As time passed and she and Debbie met more often, a tenuous friendship was forged between them. When William asked Debbie to marry him, she was so keyed up with anxiety, she told Elaine her story and asked her what she should do.

  “I told her it was time to put the past to bed and get on with living. She’s got to stop hiding.”

  Elaine stirred her coffee and passed the other cup over to William. “Can she stop hiding?”

  “Why not? Elaine, do you realise it’s been nearly six years since it all happened. The case is completely cold, and they never found a shred of hard evidence against her. She’s got to stop thinking people are going stare and point a finger at her again if she’s recognised.”

  “You’re probably right,” Elaine agreed.

  “I know I’m right. She’s met people on a superficial basis only. It’s time she made some real friends.”

  Elaine hesitated. “I’d go slowly if I were you though. You mustn’t frighten her. People who’ve met her seem to like her.”

  William let his breath out in a sigh. “I’m afraid people will think she’s snobby. I don’t want them thinking she feels she’s above them. She refuses every invite we get. She won’t join a club, even for exercise. We went hashing once, and she disappeared when the weekly photo for the website was taken.”

  “Hashing? Oh I remember, your running and walking club. Yes, I think she wasn’t around for the photo because she’s afraid of being recognised.”

  “Of course, I understand all that. But don’t you think that after six years most people will have forgotten. Besides, she’s changed her name and hair. Even if someone did think she looked familiar, we’re all supposed to have a double in the world.” He took a big gulp of coffee and winced as it was so hot. “Bugger! I didn’t mean to do that.”

  Elaine smiled. “You mentioned Steve and Di’s party…I’ve been invited too.”

  “That’s great. Once I let her know you’re going, she won’t refuse, I’m sure. She likes and trusts you.”

  “I like her too, and like you, I’d love her to live a normal life. I will go to Steve and Diana’s. I only hope Debbie can cope.”

  “I’m sure she can. I’ll be at her side.”

  “Yes, but are you sure you want a more normal life for Debbie or because it suits you?”

  William raised his eyebrows at her words. “What do you mean?”

  Elaine paused. “Don’t get cross with me, but do you think you’re being passed over when it comes to advancement within the company, because of her reticence to join in? I watched your face the other week when Henry was made man of the year and given a new office to head up in Hong Kong. As things stand now, there’s nothing you can do, and you know it. But, William, I really do understand. Sorry, but I must get on.”

  Elaine drained her coffee cup and put it to stand in the sink before hurrying from the kitchen. William stared after her before returning to his office. He sank down at his desk and held his head in his hands. All the exasperation and annoyance which possessed him before left his body. He sat feeling despondent and ashamed. Of course, Elaine was right. He wanted it all to be perfect and to live as a perfect family. He felt like a real louse. He knew everything about Debbie before they got married; he knew what he was getting into. Debbie had warned him at length.

  What would happen next? William sat thinking about the times he had acted unreasonably: when he wanted to do something, go somewhere, and Debbie had refused. He hated all those restrictions. He ran a hand through his hair, making it stand out in odd directions and opened the lid to his laptop.

  He would make it up to her.

  William worked steadily for an hour on a client’s file then realised he had new emails. He went down the list until he found one with an unusual heading…

  ‘A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for Debbie—or is it Yvonne?’

  With shaking hands and a sinking feeling of apprehension, he clicked on the little yellow envelope and opened the
file.

  William stared down at a large photograph of Debbie leaving what was unmistakably a court house. Only it was a Debbie he hadn’t known back then. The younger Debbie was dressed in a dark trouser suit and white blouse. Her hair was a mass of curls, dark and long.

  Beneath the photograph was another of the same young woman with two children by her side as she walked through a park.

  Finally, the third photograph showed Debbie with Hannah and Charlie. They were on the beach making sandcastles.

  The only written words were ‘A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Yvonne, dear. Don’t forget the sixth anniversary is approaching. Will your present two children end the same way…strangled with their scarves and lying in a grave?’

  William sat back in shock. Who in the world could be so vile and cruel? He stared again at the pictures and wondered what he should do. Thank goodness the sick bastard hadn’t sent them directly to Debbie because she would have freaked out. He read the line through once more. The sender must have followed Debbie’s court case when it happened. Where did they get the photo of her with the two children, Sally and Stuart, in the park? Why keep it? But the most worrying and more ominous was the recent photograph showing Debbie on Curium beach with the children. For God’s sake, this must have been taken only this year!

  He felt sick inside with worry and apprehension. The longer he stared at the photos, the more his initial worry turned to anger. How dare someone do this!

  William printed off a copy of the email and wondered if it could be traced and then shook his head at his ridiculousness. Of course not—the sender would have used either a false internet provider address or used an internet café, thereby assuring his or her identity. Should he take it to the police? Would they care in Cyprus? Was there any point? No real threat had been made. He moved the email into a personal folder protected by a password, ensuring it was hidden on his laptop. If anyone used his machine they would have to know where to look for it. Would it be a good idea to tell Elaine? Feeling panicky, William mulled everything around in his head before reaching a decision.

  There was no point in doing anything. Alerting the police would no doubt involve many more people; Cypriots could never keep their mouths shut at the best of times, and everyone was related to everyone else on the island. Before you knew it, Uncle Tom Cobley and all would be in the picture and Debbie’s cover well and truly blown.

  There was no hint of any danger, just a vague feeling of intimidation. He would keep this to himself unless anything else happened. He knew how to look after his family. It was odd, having this strange feeling all morning since arriving at work. It must have been some sort of sixth sense.

  Closing down his computer, he picked up his mobile telephone and briefcase before heading for the door and home. Just as he reached it he met his immediate boss coming towards him.

  “William, just the man I want to see. We’ve just got ourselves a nice new fat contract, and I’d like you to be in charge of it. Have you an hour or so to spare?”

  Chapter 7

  “So we’ll have one more mouth to feed at Christmas. You don’t really mind do you, darling? One more will hardly matter,” Steve said with a nonchalant tone in his voice. He made a great show of opening a tin of chocolate biscuits and offering it to Diana, knowing how she loved chocolate.

  Ignoring the biscuits, Diana stared at Steve and tried hard to keep the look of dismay off her face. His mother! The last time she stayed, she caused no end of trouble. Diana vowed that next time, she would catch the next plane back to England if she as much as stuck one foot on the island. She gave a thin smile, which didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “But I thought she was on a two-month cruise until February? What’s happened this time? Tell me exactly what she said?” Diana inwardly seethed as she struggled to keep her cool.

  “Er…um, I’m not quite sure as she was in a hurry when she phoned. She mentioned something about getting into an argument with the head chef. I believe she didn’t like some of the food, and…er, she tried giving him some cooking tips, which didn’t go down very well. And she hated India. She suffered from a bug whilst on board, and the ship’s doctor confined Mum to her cabin.”

  Diana laughed drily. “I bet that went down well. How could she criticise the cooking? Food on cruises is usually fantastic, and she’s a right one to complain. She can hardly boil water without burning it. If she was as bad as she usually is, then I’m not surprised she was confined to her stateroom. Are you sure she’s told you everything?”

  Steve eyed Diana over the rim of his coffee cup as he took a mouthful. They were standing in the kitchen. “Probably not, you know her.”

  “Steve! As much as I know you like to see her, she’ll be a nightmare. And Christmas too! I’ve got so much planned, and she’ll follow me around wanting to be entertained. We’ve got Clare and Adam arriving any minute, parties to organise, and I still have a thousand and one things to do. And on top of all that you promised we’d host the hashers here, too. It’s going to be far too much!”

  “I promise I’ll help. Honest.”

  “You always say that and then disappear with some pathetic excuse. You’re always the bloody same. I know it’s just—crikey, I’ve just had a thought. You don’t suppose she was kicked off the ship do you?” She wandered away from the table at which he was sitting and stared moodily out of the window. When Steve didn’t answer her, she knew she had struck gold. How could he! Diana whirled round on him.

  “She was! I knew it! Oh, honestly, and now she’s coming here. You really have done it this time.”

  “Sorry, darling. I’ll make it up to you. At least Poppy gets to see her grandmother this year.”

  “And it’s about time, for what it’s worth. I know she’s not stuck on kids…you were an only child, but she’s seen Poppy just the once.”

  “Yes, Poppy has suffered from a lack of grandparents around her.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? Oh, I get it. Don’t you dare try and bring my parents into this. I can’t help it if Dad’s still working. He thought he’d retired from the Royal Air force before they coerced him back with promises. He wasn’t to know his expertise was required in Washington.”

  Steve peered at Diana. “What exactly did he do in the RAF?”

  “No idea. Latterly, something to do with secret weapons, I think, when he was at RAF Henlow. I know he signed the Official Secrets Act and all that, but he’s never mentioned anything to me. Anyway don’t try to change the subject. Both Mum and Dad were unhappy they couldn’t make it this Christmas, but they’re definitely coming for Poppy’s birthday. You know that.”

  Steve looked contrite as he apologised. “I do and I’m sorry you’re upset. I’m sure Mum will behave. She knows how much she annoyed you last time.”

  Diana raised her eyebrows at his assertion. “Pooh! That’s a damn good understatement if I ever heard one. I sincerely hope she does. And if I catch her just once in my study, meddling with my computer, she’s out.” Diana fumed as she recalled Gwen Rivers’ last visit. Diana was right in the middle of a novel, and one chapter proved to be a real pig. She had spent ages with the passage and changed it many times until she was completely satisfied. Steve and Gwen were fully aware of her problem. That particular day, as she finished the vital scene in the book, the front doorbell rang. Diana went to see who was calling, and on her return fifteen minutes later, she found Gwen sitting at her desk looking pleased with herself. Diana felt her heart contract with dread.

  “What are you doing?” she asked in a whisper.

  Gwen airily waved a hand over the desk. “I’ve fixed your problem for you. You were looking at it from the wrong angle, I’ve rewritten it. Come and see…I think you’ll be pleased. By the way, I corrected some of your grammar as well. Perhaps I should help edit your work for you while I’m here. You can thank me later, dear.”

  Diana couldn’t believe either her ears or her eyes. Moreover, her mother-in-law hadn’t only change
d two whole pages of text, but she managed to delete everything Diana had written that morning. Diana yelled in anger, frustration and disbelief as she eyed the corrupted manuscript, and when Steve rushed in to see what all the noise was about, Gwen scuttled away to her room. It had taken Steve hours to retrieve and put right his mother’s highhandedness. Diana vowed never to forgive her, and now she was saddled with her for the Christmas holiday, when it was supposed to be a time of good cheer. Ha!

  “Well, I’d better get her room sorted out. God, I’ve just had a thought. The last time she was here, she fancied Roger. It was lucky she only met him a day or so before she left for home, otherwise she’d have frightened the poor man to death. One of the reasons she goes on cruises is because there are lots of single men available. I’ve invited him here for drinks the same day as Debbie and William. We’ll have to make sure she behaves. No, let me correct myself. You will have to make sure she behaves. She’s your mother!”