“No, no, I’m fine thank you,” said Sandra Pollard.
“Jess?”
She shook her head.
“Okay, well, if you would like to follow me, I’ll introduce you to the team who are currently trying to find out where Philip is.”
Miller walked around the department and told the two visitors who everybody was as they continued talking on phones, or writing reports, or discussing matters amongst themselves. Eventually, Miller took Jess and Sandra across to the incident room wall and explained the situation as it was understood, described the lines of enquiry and tried as hard as he could to make it sound as though his greatest motivation was to help Philip Pollard.
It took a while and Miller glanced at his watch, it was 5.25pm. He felt a sudden nervousness, as he realised how little time he had to firstly convince Sandra to do the press conference, and secondly, prep her for it.
“So, that’s where we are up to. As I’m sure you’ll agree, we’ve got lots of quality information and as you may have noticed, the whole time you’ve been here, those phone lines have been constantly busy. We have plenty of good intelligence coming in.”
Sandra looked pleased with just how much effort was going into trying to find her estranged-husband. Jess just looked like a sulky teenager despite that fact that she should have been at least a decade beyond that phase. Miller saw his chance for the segue into the press conference.
“My next task is to update the press. Specifically, I want to appeal to the people of Llandudno and any holidaymakers who were there on Sunday.” Miller had set it up and now needed to create some panic. “The thing is, we really need proof of life for Darren Jenkins.”
Boom. That devastating remark had worked beautifully. Sandra Pollard looked as though her legs were about to give way. She reached out to hold onto the back of Saunders’ chair. Jess grabbed her mother’s arm.
“Are you alright, mum?” she asked.
Sandra had turned a funny colour, as though all the blood had drained from her.
“Hey, hey, sorry. That’s just technical police talk. Here, take a seat.” Miller shoved Saunders in the arm, and the DI gave up his chair. Sandra sat down, her eyes were filled with tears.
“For God’s sake!” snapped Jess. “Mum, are you okay?” She shot Miller an icy stare. He wasn’t bothered.
“What I meant was,” Miller crouched down slightly so he was talking at the same level as Sandra Pollard. “We literally have no evidence that Darren is safe. I’m sure its just a matter of time before we get it, and once we do, we can relax a little. But I want you to do an appeal to your husband.”
Sandra was worked up, understandably. This was the best time to get her to agree to his demands.
“In our experience, it’s the person’s closest family who can get through to them.”
“Mum, are you alright?” repeated Jess, interrupting Miller.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” said Sandra, although she still looked a little shook up. “What would I need to say?” she asked, looking in Miller’s direction for the first time since she’d been helped into the seat.
“That’s entirely up to you. Jess, you could join your mum, to give her a little moral support.” Miller made it sound less of a suggestion, more of an instruction. Her mother was quick to pounce on the opportunity.
“Would you, love?”
“Well, I’m, I’m just not sure mum…”
“It’s embarrassing,” said Sandra, looking back at Miller.
“In what way?” he asked, taking a sly glance at his watch.
“Well, all this, everybody talking about Phil in this way. People are pointing the finger…”
“That’s all the more reason to say your piece. You know Phil, the media don’t, the public don’t. You could start off talking about the row you had. Maybe apologise for the things you said?”
“I’m not sure, mum…” said Jess, interrupting again. Miller was getting sick of this young woman now, she was becoming a proper pain in the arse.
“Your mum’s right Jess. If you want everybody to stop saying all these things about your dad, this is the best opportunity.”
Jess looked at Miller, her contempt for him was undeniable. “How, how is it?”
Miller was quick in his reply. “Well I’ll guarantee you that you’ll be better off getting the first word in, because if I know the press, they’ll have spent all day trying to dig things up. They’ll have phoned all your family, friends, neighbours, ex-boyfriends.”
“What?”
“Seriously, they are ruthless. And they’ll have their stories written already, just waiting for tomorrow’s papers. You have a golden opportunity to kill off any bad publicity here, before its even printed.”
“You’re really keen for this to happen, aren’t you Mr Miller?” Jess looked suspiciously at the DCI.
“No, it makes no difference to me. But it might be what your dad needs to hear, and it might prompt him to give us some indication that Darren is okay. Without trying to sugar-coat it, as things stand, your dad is in a lot of trouble. I want to help him out of it as best I can.”
“Are you saying that you don’t think that dad’s taken Darren away for some disgusting purpose?”
“Do you think he has?” asked Miller.
Jess looked furious. She spat the words as she snapped, “No, of course not. Don’t be so ridiculous!”
“I agree.” Said Miller. “I’m absolutely convinced that whatever is going on here, it has got nothing to do with anything sexual.”
“Why? What’s made you arrive at that conclusion?” asked Jess. She really didn’t like the DCI at all, and she certainly didn’t trust him.
“Well, earlier today, I visited Forest Bank prison and spoke to an ex-pupil of your father’s. Kieron Davis. Does that name ring any bells?”
Jess shook her head.
Sandra nodded.
“Yes, I know about Kieron. He was one of your dad’s project pupils, Jess. Your dad tried everything with him.” Sandra looked as though she’d got over the initial shock of Miller’s dramatic announcement a few minutes earlier.
“That’s right. And he was furious to hear that we were linking this case to a sexual motivation. So much so, he had me drive over to the prison to tell me, in no uncertain terms, that there is no way that your dad is involved in anything to do with sex. He convinced me, that’s for sure. Plus, we haven’t had a single telephone call from anybody who has a bad word to say about Mr Pollard. That’s why I don’t think this is about sex, or a love affair, or anything of that nature.”
“Are you going to say that in the press conference?” asked Jess.
“Yes, I can do. I haven’t got a problem with that.”
“Right, it’s okay, we’ll do it.” Said Sandra. Miller smiled warmly. Jess shot Miller yet another icy stare. She wasn’t impressed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The news agency reaction to this extraordinary case was reaching fever-pitch. It was the main headline on radio, TV news, as well as all of the newspaper websites. The amount of press staff crammed into the media-centre confirmed that this was the nation’s BREAKING NEWS story and it was so big, this place was standing room only.
The noise in the media-centre at Manchester City Police HQ was deafening, particularly when Miller appeared, walking next to the missing teacher’s wife and daughter. The opportunity of an appeal from a relative made this an even more enthralling story.
The drama, the emotion, the intimacy of a public appeal to the missing man was brilliant content for turning a news item into a soap opera. The media were filled with excitement and the photographer’s bulbs were flashing as the two relatives of Philip Pollard walked towards the stage area.
Miller led them through the press representatives and helped them both up the steps onto the raised platform, which had three chairs out and three glasses of water. After helping Mrs Pollard into her seat and directing Jess Pollard to sit on the end, beside her mother, Miller sat do
wn on the other side of Sandra Pollard, a pretty, mature, delicately-featured professional woman who looked utterly broken and ashamed.
The well-known DCI seemed downbeat as he began talking to the sea of faces from the media.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for attending. I will move on to a full update on this case so far and there will be an opportunity for questions later. But I’d like us to start with a few words from Philip Pollard’s wife, Sandra Pollard, and the couple’s daughter, Jess.”
The camera bulbs were strobing and the TV cameras and radio recorders were all pointed in the two women’s direction, leaving Miller out of the frame. Mrs Pollard looked shaky and emotional. Jess grabbed her mum’s hand on the table-top and the gesture of support seemed to upset Mr Pollard’s wife, as a fresh wave of emotion crashed against her, forcing her to break-down. Miller began to comfort her, trying to calm her down, he was whispering something as he rubbed her back gently.
Jess decided that she would speak first to give her mum a bit of time to recover. She looked as though she’d surprised herself as she started speaking.
“Hello, my name is Jess, Jess Pollard, I’m Philip Pollard’s daughter and I’m here to support my mum through this ordeal. Obviously, you have all jumped to your own conclusions as to what’s happening with my dad and Darren. Well, I’d just like to say, that if you think that my dad has done anything, anything wrong towards this young lad, then you really don’t know my dad.” She looked accusingly around the faces, before finding a TV camera to stare at. “Dad, if you’re watching this, I just want to say that I love you, and… well, I don’t know what’s going on, I know you and mum have been having a tough time. But please, I can’t stand this, I can’t stand strangers saying all kinds of awful things about you. Come home, dad. We all love you…” Jess had delivered her impromptu, unrehearsed speech brilliantly, there was no sign of nerves, no pauses, no hesitation.
Miller smiled warmly at the missing man’s daughter. “Thank you Jess. Okay, so, as I was saying, Sandra Pollard would like to say a few words.” Miller whispered something softly in Mrs Pollard’s direction. She coughed quietly, before she started to speak. Her hands were still trembling visibly on the table-top.
“Phil, if you are watching this, I am begging you to get in touch and let me know that you’re okay, and that Darren is okay as well. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry and at the same time, I’ve been telling myself that I’m silly, that I don’t need to worry, because in thirty-five years of marriage, you’ve never once let me down. You’ve never done anything that should make me worry. You have been a perfect husband to me, a perfect father to your children. I don’t know what’s wrong but I do know that we can fix it, together. Please Phil, like Jess said, please just come home. I’m sorry about what I said to you last Wednesday night. I didn’t mean it, I was just upset and disappointed that our plans had to change again. But you know I didn’t mean what I said. Please, Phil, you must know that I love you, and I need you home, here with me. Come on love, even if you don’t want to come home yet, I understand, but you have to let me know you’re okay, and let Darren’s parents know that he’s okay too. I love you.”
Sandra Pollard had done remarkably well, as had Jess. Miller was really pleased with how they had handled the scary and intimidating situation. The press were happy, they’d managed to get some excellent content out of this, and a couple of extra layers of intrigue too.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, if we can just pause for a few minutes. I’m going to escort Philip Pollard’s relatives out and I’ll be back in a few moments to continue.” Miller stood, and waited for Sandra and Jess to follow his lead. Despite looking slightly humiliated and sheepish on their way in, they both looked much more confident and dignified now as they followed Miller out of the hot, noisy, crowded room in silence.
Once they were outside the media-centre doors, Miller thanked them both, and pointed them in the direction of the main reception area, promising to phone Sandra later on for a catch up. As they walked away, Miller went back into the press conference, walking quickly to try and minimise this delay to proceedings.
“Okay, thank you everybody for your patience. Right, let’s get on with it...”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Within minutes of concluding business in the media-centre, Miller arrived at the incident room, looking quite chipper. He hated press conferences, so it was always a relief to get one done. Saunders was waiting for him. He had “the look” on his face.
“What’s up?” asked Miller. He knew that look. It meant there was a problem.
“Can I speak to you in private please, Sir?”
“Sure,” Miller turned, and headed back towards his office, with Saunders hot on his heels.
The DI closed the door and sat down facing Miller.
“What’s up?”
“What are your thoughts about Jess Pollard?” Saunders looked troubled.
“I’m not a fan. She strikes me as a bit of a spoilt-brat.”
“She doesn’t like you!” said Saunders.
“Oh, you noticed?”
“Couldn’t miss it. It was awkward to witness.”
“I gave her the cold shoulder last night, when I was quizzing her mum. I think she holds a grudge.”
“Well, I doubt its that. I imagine it’s you suggesting that her dad is a wrong ‘un on the news this lunch-time.”
Miller nodded. “Possibly. But I’m not trying to win a popularity contest, I’m trying to locate Darren Jenkins, and his teacher.”
“Yes, I get that. But…”
“What’s up Keith?”
“I’ve got a really dodgy feeling about Jess Pollard.”
“Oh?” Miller looked surprised.
“Yes, something’s not right. She’s not remotely concerned about her father. Or Darren for that matter. She was more concerned about winning ego points against you.”
Miller thought about Saunders’ observation. He was right, thinking about it. It hadn’t occurred to him at the time, but yes, on reflection, Jess didn’t seem remotely concerned. She didn’t appear particularly interested in Miller’s update on the investigation, either.
“I noticed it when you gave Mrs Pollard a fright up here, about Darren’s safety. But, it really struck me when you were doing the press conference, that she knows something. It’s almost as though she knows her dad’s fine. She knows that Darren is fine. Why else would she act like a diva towards the cop who’s working on the case? Why wouldn’t she be absolutely terrified of what might be coming down the line, like her mum clearly is? And, well that opens up a whole new world of questions. Top of the list, why would she be so relaxed about her dad disappearing in a motorhome, abducting a fifteen-year old pupil and trashing his career?”
“Yes, shit, you’re on to something. I was just concentrating on Mrs Pollard.”
“I know. And from Mrs Pollard’s demeanour, her nerves, her body-language, it looks to me that she hasn’t got a clue what’s going on. Jess Pollard is another kettle of fish altogether.”
“Interesting observations. Hard to prove, though.”
“Have either Jess or Sandra Pollard mentioned Daniel?”
“Daniel. The brother?”
“Yes. Mr Pollard’s son.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Well, I’m not happy with this. I’ve been looking into him. He’s married, two-kids, runs a garage over in Filey.”
“Filey. Near Scarborough?”
“The very same. And from what I understand, he hasn’t been over to see his mum since this hit the news. I rang his garage up pretending to be a punter. I started explaining an issue with my car, and he sounded perfectly relaxed, told me what the problem was.”
“And what was it?”
“Head-gasket.”
“It always is.”
“So the mystery deepens. Jess is too busy trying to be the alpha around you and Daniel is carrying on with his work on the north York
shire coast, despite the fact that his dad’s being made out as a paedo child-snatcher and his mum is breaking her heart on the tea-time news.”
“Fucking hell. This isn’t adding up, is it?”
“Well one thing that does make sense now, is the rather confusing drive over to Scarborough on Friday.”
Miller smiled widely and nodded. “Yes, suddenly that does start to make sense.”
“And if a bloke who runs a garage can’t advise you how to remove a tracking device, or knock you up some fake registration plates, well, I don’t know who can.”
“Jesus, Keith. You’re on it. What do you suggest we do?”
“Well, I’ve already asked North Yorkshire police to go and arrest him. I’ve a good feeling that he’ll know what this new number plate is.”
“Fucking hell! You were a slow starter on this one, I was thinking of telling uniform to take you on, but you’ve come up with the good stuff now.”
“He’s going to be taken to Scarborough police station. Local officers are going to search his house, his business premises and his phone records have been requested from his providers. While all this is going on, I suggest he stays the night and one of us lot can go over and interview him in the morning.”
“And what about Jess?”
“I think she needs a night in the cells as well. Do you want the honours?” asked Saunders.
“Er, no. I’m a bit scared of her, to be honest.”
“Okay, I’ll ask the Inspector at Tameside to send a couple of uniforms round. I think we’re going to have this mystery solved by tomorrow dinner.”
Both Miller and Saunders jumped, as a sudden rat-a-tat-tat resounded from the glass of the office door. It was one of the constables from the phones. Miller gestured her in.
“Bloody hell, scared the life out of me then!” said Miller, looking stressed, but mildly amused by the sudden fright.
“Sir, just had a call. It was the manager of the Wetherspoons in Llandudno. The Palladium. He says Darren and Pollard were there on Sunday, they both had an Aberdeen Angus steak and he’s got CCTV footage too.”
Proof of Life Page 15
