The Missing Children

by M A Comley

  “I’m not following you, Inspector. What could I possibly tell you that you think will help you with your case? Are you saying that Lorella is involved in her daughter’s murder?”

  “No, not in the slightest. Sorry if I gave you that impression. I just need to ask how she is at work. Any complaints about her from customers, perhaps?”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all. Lorella is considered to be a valued member of our team. Although she is part-time, she often stays on longer when one of her colleagues is running late. Not many people do that nowadays, I can tell you.”

  “Thank you. That’s all I needed to hear. I appreciate your time, Mr. Stott.” Kayli hung up and dialled the number for Crazy Joe’s Place.

  “Hi, Crazy Joe’s Place. How may I help you?”

  “Hi, I’m Detective Inspector Bright. Is it possible to speak to the manager please?”

  “He’s just here. Hold the line.”

  There was a click on the line as the call was transferred. “Hello, this is the manager, Mr. Parsons. What can I do for you?”

  “Hello, I’m the investigating officer in the Jamillia Watson murder enquiry. I understand her father, Kelvin, works for you.”

  He gasped. “Yes, he does. Oh dear, that was a dreadful piece of news to hear. We’re all devastated here. Kelvin and Lorella are such devoted parents. What sort of information do you need?”

  “Mainly about Kelvin. I need to know what kind of character he is. Whether he has any problems at work, any complaints against him from the customers. That type of thing.”

  “I see. Well, he’s one of my best employees. He’s won employee of the month six times already this year. As far as I can remember, he’s never had an argument with a customer or had a complaint filed against him. I wish I employed a dozen more like him. It would make my working life a whole lot easier.”

  “That’s reassuring to know.”

  “You think he’s involved in this deplorable crime?”

  “No. Nothing like that. We’re just building a picture, that’s all. Looking along the lines that maybe he’d fallen out with someone at work or a punter and they’d taken revenge on his family.”

  “Oh Lordy! I never even thought about that. Let me have a proper think... no, still nothing coming to mind, I’m sorry. I wish I could help you more. The person who did that to their darling daughter needs stringing up. They should bring back capital punishment for people involved in murdering kids. There’s just no deterrent in this day and age. A life means nothing.”

  “I see you’re pretty irate about the system, Mr. Parsons.”

  “And some, Inspector. Every time you turn on the news, there’s yet another one of these crimes being talked about. Look at that case with that depraved bastard who used to work for the Beeb. How the hell did that man get away with that level of abuse? Oh, sorry, don’t get me started. He was filth, and yet he was given privilege passes to go and see kids that were dying—in some cases, only to abuse them. What kind of sick fucker does that? And to be allowed to get away with it for decades, and to have been made a Sir! That’s simply unforgiveable.”

  “I agree totally, which is why I’m ringing up today to see if there is any information about Kelvin that you might think would be useful going forward in the case.”

  “Ahh... I’m with you now. Seriously, Inspector, you couldn’t wish for a nicer chap. I promise you. Nicer couple even. On his days off, he used to bring Jamillia and Marcia in for a burger. Jamillia was keen to see where her daddy worked. Such an adorable child. Such a waste.”

  “We’re doing our best to get the little girl and her family justice. I can promise you that. Thank you for your time, Mr. Parsons.”

  “Do it for all of us, Inspector. We’re standing strong behind the distraught family.”

  “We will, sir. Goodbye.”

  Kayli spent the rest of the morning popping in and out of the office, chasing her team for any new leads in between dealing with her daily chores. Dave surprised her with a sandwich at around twelve, then he sat down in the chair opposite and tucked into his own.

  “Thought we better have some grub before the first interviewee arrives. He’s due at twelve thirty.”

  “I needed this. Anything else come to light out there?”

  “Nothing yet. Donna is still beside herself for messing up with Troy Watson.”

  “These things happen. She needs to stop blaming herself. At least she made amends early. I can’t wait to question Troy Watson.”

  “Don’t you think it’s strange that Kelvin didn’t tell us about his brother’s assault charge?”

  “Maybe he doesn’t know about it,” Kayli replied, sinking her teeth into her tuna-and-mayo wholemeal sandwich.

  “We’ll soon find out. How are we going to play it with the other four men?”

  Kayli sipped her coffee. “Shall we take two each?”

  “I don’t mind. How far do you want me to go with them?”

  “Just ask the basic questions. How often they socialised with the family? Have they ever witnessed anything between the parents and the children that raised their suspicions? Then turn the tables on them, ask them if Jamillia had ever confided in either them or their partners. How they interacted with the little girl and her sister? Do they have kids of their own? Did their kids ever play with the Watson children? If they did, where did they play? Have their children ever indicated that Jamillia was concerned at home?

  “I rang Kelvin and Lorella’s places of employment this morning and asked pretty much the same kind of thing. Both managers assured me they are decent people who idolise their kids. I still have this niggling doubt about what was planted by the teacher, though. We need to follow up on that.”

  “You think we should go and see the parents again? Ask the father outright about those claims?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Someone must know something. It’s just finding that person. You really think we could be looking at a paedophile ring here?”

  Kayli sighed. “I’m not a hundred percent sure of that, but consider how many children have gone missing in the past few months.”

  Dave fell silent and finished off his sandwich. The phone on her desk rang. It was the desk sergeant, who informed her that the first interviewee had arrived.

  Dave jumped out of his chair. “You finish your lunch. I’ll grab this one.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it. Don’t forget, be nice in there, Dave. No one is a suspect yet. If anything comes to light during the interviews, then we’ll haul their arses back in and twist the screw, all right?”

  Dave saluted from the doorway. “I hear you.”

  Kayli nibbled a few more mouthfuls of her sandwich then pushed it aside. Moments later, the desk sergeant rang to say that the second interviewee was waiting in the reception area for her. She finished her coffee and rushed down the stairs, notebook in hand, to meet Desmond Jensen. He was a tall, athletically built black man who was quietly spoken. The interview was painless enough. He told her that he’d never been left alone with either of the Watsons’ children and had only visited the house a few times with his family. Most of the time, the three other friends who were being interviewed met up with Kelvin now and again on a night out down the pub. Nowadays, such events were happening less and less as everyone’s family expanded.

  “Have you ever had any reason to suspect either of the Watsons to be abusing their children?”

  He shook his head at the same time his eyes bulged. “I’m actually appalled that you should suggest such a thing. I’ve never even heard either of them raise their voice in anger at the kids, not that they were bad kids.”

  “Okay, that concludes the interview. I really appreciate you coming to see me today during your lunch hour.”

  “Anything to help, Inspector. But if you’re going along the lines that the Watsons could be guilty of killing their own child, then I’m begging you to reconsider that scenario. There is no way they’d ever harm a hair on either of their children’
s heads. It’s unthinkable, in fact.”

  “All we’re doing at the moment is dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, Mr. Jensen. I’m sure the facts will reveal themselves shortly. In the meantime, we have to keep digging with the evidence we have to hand.”

  “I understand. You have a tough job, and I don’t envy you in the slightest. Goodbye, Inspector, and good luck.” He rose from his seat and shook her hand.

  Kayli walked him back up the corridor to the main entrance, and as Dave was obviously still occupied with his interviewee, she collected the third friend, Warren Northcott. He was muscular and had the darkest skin she’d ever laid eyes on. The whites of his eyes were like beacons, drawing her in. The interview again turned out to be fruitless. Warren virtually reiterated what Desmond had told her. Feeling discouraged, she ended the interview and said farewell to Warren at the main entrance. She returned to the incident room to find Dave sitting at his desk, looking equally disappointed.

  “Well, that was a complete waste of time. I take it was the same for you?” he asked, throwing a pen across his desk.

  Kayli propped her backside on the desk closest to her partner. “We’ve still got the other friend coming in this evening and Troy to question in half an hour or so. That should prove to be more interesting. At least, I’m hoping it will be.”

  “It better be. The longer this takes, I feel as though we’re letting the kids down.”

  Kayli rubbed his upper arm. “I know, mate. We’ll catch a break soon. I’m sure.”

  “I bloody well hope so; it’s starting to affect my sleep. If they’re still out there, no one knows the perils that lie ahead of these kids. They must be bloody petrified.”

  She saw his eyes puddle with tears and wanted to reach out and give him a cuddle. She held back as a lump the size of an orange surfaced in her own throat. “I know I don’t have any kids of my own, Dave. It doesn’t mean that I’m affected any less by this.”

  “I know. I wasn’t insinuating that, boss. Merely venting my frustrations. Maybe we should start checking out all the derelict buildings in the area, after all?”

  “Let’s see how the final two interviews go first, and we’ll debate what to do next afterwards. How’s that?”

  He shrugged. “You’re the boss.”

  Donna answered the phone ringing on her desk, said thank you, and hung up. “Boss, Troy Watson is waiting in reception for you.”

  “Here we go. Are you ready for this, Dave?”

  “As I’ll ever be. Let’s go rattle his cage.”

  When Kayli first laid eyes on Troy Watson, he was wearing a deeply engrained frown. She offered her hand for him to shake, but he refused.

  “If you’d like to follow us into the interview room,” Kayli said calmly.

  “Do I have a choice?” the man grumbled as he followed her into the room.

  “No,” Dave confirmed, bringing up the rear.

  Kayli and Dave sat on one side of the table, and she motioned for Troy to sit opposite them. “We’re going to tape this interview, if that’s okay?”

  “I thought this was just an informal chat. Now you’re stating it’s an interview. What about my rights? Am I not entitled to have my solicitor present with me? Although why this has turned into an interview is beyond me. What gives, Inspector? Have I done something wrong?”

  “If you want a solicitor to be present that is entirely up to you, Mr. Watson. We can delay the interview until you make the arrangements for your solicitor to come over, or we can continue now and get this over and done with as soon as possible. The choice is yours.”

  “You think by pinning me in a corner, I’ll drop a clanger and reveal something? I know how these things work, Inspector. You may look cute, but it’s not the smartest move you’ve ever made.” He folded his arms, forming a barrier between them. “I want my solicitor here, now.”

  “And who might that be, Mr. Watson?”

  “Roger Moorcroft of Taylor and Moorcroft.”

  “Dave, would you mind placing the call for me?”

  Dave turned to face her, his expression full of concern.

  “Mr. Watson and I will be fine until you return.”

  “If you’re sure. I’ll go and call him now.”

  Troy snorted. “What? You think I’d be foolish enough to attack her?”

  Dave glared at Watson before he rushed out of the room.

  Kayli didn’t feel threatened in the slightest in Dave’s absence. She fiddled around with the tape machine, ensuring it was ready, as a distraction to combat the silence that had descended in the room. Dave returned within minutes.

  “Moorcroft will be here in fifteen minutes. Luckily, he was having an admin day, therefore, he didn’t have to postpone any of his clients. You’re a lucky man.”

  Troy Watson grinned. “That’s me all over. I was born lucky, man.”

  The room remained silent until there was a rap on the door, and Roger Moorcroft entered the room, carrying his briefcase. “Sorry for the delay. I’m Roger Moorcroft. May I ask what this interview is regarding?”

  Kayli and Dave shook the solicitor’s hand.

  “We’re interviewing everyone connected to the Watson family after the discovery of Jamillia Watson’s body,” Kayli said. “Your client has been away from home for a number of days, and therefore, we’ve been unable to reach him. However, after doing some background checks, we’ve uncovered something in your client’s background that has flagged up a concern for us. I would rather we said anything further while the tape is running, if that’s okay with you?”

  “I see. Very well, Inspector. Go for it.” He turned to face his client, giving him a smug smile. That action alone made Kayli’s skin crawl, making her ponder if the solicitor was covering up something worse than they already suspected.

  Dave reeled off the relative information for the tape and also added that both audio and visual evidence could be used at a later date if needed.

  Kayli cleared her throat. “Okay, first of all, what can you tell me about the disappearance of your niece, Jamillia, Mr. Watson?”

  His mouth twisted and he tilted his head. “Are you serious? Why the fuck would I know anything about it?”

  “Just answer the question,” Dave prompted harshly.

  “Nothing. I was as distraught about the situation as Kelvin and Lorella were.”

  “Did you go to the house to comfort either of them?”

  “No. I contacted them by telephone. I have a hectic job. I’m on the road most of the time. I catch up with my family only when time permits. My job means everything to me.”

  “It must have come as a shock when you had the charge laid at your door then. You know, the sexual assault charge.”

  His chest inflated, and his arms rose and fell a few times. “What the fuck has that got to do with anything? I hope you’re not suggesting what I think you are.”

  Kayli shrugged. “You seem an intelligent man, Mr. Watson. You tell us if there’s a connection here. You must be aware of your niece’s injuries.”

  He shook his head adamantly, chewed the inside of his mouth, and narrowed his eyes. “I’m aware that she suffered some form of abuse. Kelvin kept the facts from me because he said they were too gruesome to mention to anyone else. You’re friggin’ sick if you think I’d do that to my own niece.”

  “Am I? Why don’t you tell us how the charges against you came about then? I’m sure we’re all dying to hear.”

  He let out a large breath. “That charge was years ago, and it was dropped. Did you neglect to read that part of the file, Inspector?”

  “I read it. Still, it was necessary to ask you about the incident. So, in your own words, how did the incident occur?”

  “Jesus, really? Can she do this?” he pleaded with his solicitor.

  Moorcroft looked up from his legal pad and shrugged. “Just answer her. If you don’t, they’ll only think you’ve got something to hide.”

  “Christ! That’s your professional advice? Well, f
or the record, I think it sucks. Just like you bringing up a charge that was dropped almost six years ago. Does this mean it’s going to be permanently on my record? Isn’t there a law against that?”

  “No law against it, Mr. Watson. Just answer the question,” Dave said, crossing his arms.

  He clawed at the side of his face with his right hand. “This is unbelievable. All right, it happened at a staff Christmas party—there’s a surprise, right? You know, when the drink was flowing nice and fast and everyone’s inhibitions got lost in the moment. The woman came onto me. When I refused to visit the toilets with her for the shag that was on offer, she started screaming and telling everyone that I had touched her up. I did no such bloody thing. You read it all the time in the newspaper—you know, women crying wolf when they can’t get what they want. Well, that’s what happened with me. And yeah, the mud stuck with me for months. No, make that a few friggin’ years. Because yet again, the incident has reared its ugly head now. I repeat, the charges were dropped. The slag admitted that she wanted me and I’d refused to entertain her.”

  Kayli nodded and asked, “When were the charges dropped?”

  “She let me friggin’ sweat it out for three whole months before she admitted her allegation was false to another colleague who was also a good friend of mine. That friend went straight to my boss, and the bitch broke down into tears when the boss confronted her. She left the company that day—resigned she did. Although, I think the boss more than likely gave her an ultimatum. I was innocent that night at the party and have never, ever been guilty of touching either a woman or child inappropriately in my life. I can’t believe you would suggest such a thing. Wait a minute... or has someone dropped a hint in your ear? Like my brother, perhaps? Has he put you up to this?”

  “No. We’re just making general enquiries. Does your brother know about the sexual assault charge?”

  Troy sighed. “None of my family know. They don’t need to know about that, either.”

  “Had you been here a few hours earlier you would have seen Kelvin’s friends in the reception area, waiting to be interviewed. As I’ve already stated, we’re questioning everyone connected to Kelvin, Lorella, or their children.”