Missing Believed Dead

by Chris Longmuir

  Bill did not have to hear her say, ‘At last,’ but he was damned sure that was what she was thinking.

  ‘Sorry, ma’am, I was in the middle of an interview when the call came.’

  ‘Well, now you’re here, you can get the CCTV tapes for the past week. As soon as I’m finished here I’m going to talk to the boys.’

  ‘Wouldn’t it be better to wait until they have a parent or responsible adult present?’

  Kate made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort. ‘I’m perfectly aware of procedures,’ she said, ‘besides, if I’m not mistaken the officer from the Child and Family Support Unit has arrived.’

  Bill glanced over to the boys. His heart did a back-flip when he saw Louise. He had thought she was still off on sick leave after her experience in Templeton Woods in January.

  ‘Yes, ma’am. That’s WPC Walker. She worked with CID on our last big murder case,’ he said.

  Resisting the urge to go over and talk to Louise, he turned back to look at Kate who had said something to the doctor while he was slipping off his plastic overshoes.

  ‘That’s it,’ Malik said, straightening up. ‘I’ll arrange for the body to be taken to the mortuary, and once the autopsy’s been completed there should be more information about time and cause of death.’

  Bill saw Kate’s frustrated look as she watched the doctor walk away. ‘I’m afraid that’s Malik for you,’ he said. ‘He’s never very forthcoming.’

  Without waiting for her reply he stepped to the side so he could see into the van. The SOCO in the front seat was leaning over it, and snapping photos.

  The body of a man was spread-eagled on a mattress on the floor of the van. His clothing, which had been removed, was piled neatly beside him, and his hands were secured to bolts in the floor.

  ‘What d’you make of it, Colin?’ Bill asked the SOCO with the camera.

  ‘I’ll be damned if I know? If he hadn’t been tied up I’d have said he was a druggie who’d taken an overdose. But I don’t see how he could have got that needle in his arm when he’s stuck to the floor – looks like he’s been crucified.’

  Colin laid the camera on the front seat and slid over its back into the rear of the van. ‘Make yourself useful, mate, and get me some evidence bags from the boot of my car so I can get finished up.’ He counted the garments in the pile beside the body. ‘About six should do it.’

  Bill returned with the bags and Colin started to put an article of clothing into each one.

  ‘Is there a wallet?’

  Colin didn’t look up. ‘Nope. No sign of one.’

  ‘Anything else to identify him?’

  ‘Not a thing. The only thing we found was a bottle of chloroform in his pocket.’

  ‘Interesting. Wonder what he planned to use it for?’

  Colin backed out of the van and stood beside Bill. ‘Yeah, I thought that was weird, but there’s something that’s even weirder, and that’s the green beads stuck in his eyes. At a guess I would say they were jade, but we won’t know for sure until we get them out to examine, and that’ll be after the post mortem.’

  Chapter Ten

  Emma closed the document and shut down the computer in the time it took for the front door to open and slam shut again. Hurrying out of the study she was concerned to see the look of distress on her mother’s face. Emma looked at Ryan and raised her eyebrows in an unspoken question, but he shrugged and refused to meet her eyes.

  ‘Mum,’ she said tentatively. ‘Are you all right?’

  Diane handed her coat to Ryan. ‘Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be all right?’

  ‘It’s just that you looked a bit . . . ’ Emma couldn’t find the word to describe what she saw.

  A fleeting look of something indescribable passed across Diane’s face. ‘Ryan told me about the policeman. I think they may have news of Jade.’

  ‘I’ve told her it’s to do with a reinvestigation, but she’s convinced they’ve found her.’

  Emma felt sorry for Ryan when she saw his misery, but that could not quell her annoyance with him.

  ‘Jade’s not coming home,’ she said. ‘She’s not coming home ever again.’

  ‘I know you think she’s dead,’ Diane snapped. ‘Everybody thinks she’s dead Well she’s not. She can’t be.’

  ‘For goodness sake, Mum! Face up to it. Jade’s dead. D’you hear me, she’s dead.’

  ‘She must be alive. She has to be. How could she send me a birthday card if she wasn’t alive?’

  Emma shrugged. Why wouldn’t her mother accept what was so obvious to everyone else?

  ‘I told you before, it’s someone playing tricks on you.’ She avoided looking at Ryan. He hadn’t known about the card. ‘You have to accept it. After all this time Jade must be dead.’

  ‘I’ll never believe that. Never. Not until you show me her body.’ Diane raised reddened hands to her face and ran sobbing into the living room.

  ‘Now look what you’ve done.’ Ryan ran after his mother and Emma heard his voice soothing and reassuring her.

  Emma sat on the bottom step of the stairs and buried her face in her hands. She wanted to help her mother but how could she when Diane refused to face up to facts? In her mind she cursed Jade for putting them all in this position, but she couldn’t deny the empty space in her heart where her twin should be.

  After a time Emma went into the living room determined to apologize. However, she knew this would feed into her mother’s fantasy that Jade would come home. But, before she could say anything, Diane vanished into the kitchen, leaving Emma frustrated.

  The smell of spices filled the house. Diane always made curry when she was most upset, even though, or maybe because, it gave her the most horrible indigestion. Emma was convinced her mother was intent on punishing herself for Jade’s disappearance.

  She tried to talk to her mother while they ate the chicken korma but Diane ignored her, eating quickly and returning to the kitchen to scrub the pots and dishes. It was always like this. It was as if her mother resented her because she was not Jade.

  It was a relief when she left the house to go to work in the club. At least she would have pleasant company who would not look at her with accusing eyes.

  * * * *

  Ryan watched Emma go. Her shoulders were slumped and an air of despondency surrounded her. It made him feel miserable as well.

  ‘You need to talk to Emma,’ he said to Diane. ‘She’s hurting too.’

  ‘Since when did you care what Emma feels. The pair of you are always fighting.’

  Ryan didn’t respond because his mother was right, and only he knew how much he wished it had been Emma who had gone instead of Jade. But nothing could change what had happened and Emma was still his sister.

  Diane sighed and wiped her hands on a towel. ‘I’ll maybe talk to her when she comes home,’ she said, ‘I’ll see how I feel.’

  Ryan nodded. ‘I have to go to the club to take photos for the web site. I’ll have a word with her when I get there.’

  ‘Don’t tell her I’m going to talk to her,’ Diane said. ‘I might change my mind.’

  The disco was crowded when Ryan got to the club, and Emma was busy behind the bar. He waited until she had a moment free and beckoned her over.

  ‘How’s Mum,’ she said, pulling him a pint.

  ‘Not good. When I left her she was scrubbing out the bathroom. She’s got a thing about toilets, always wanting to clean them even when they’re already clean.’

  ‘I think she’s been getting worse over the past few months.’

  Ryan sipped his lager. ‘You two need to speak to each other.’

  ‘I know, but it’s difficult. When she looks at me, she sees Jade.’

  ‘Probably,’ Ryan gulped the rest of the lager. ‘I’ve got photos I need to take, but after I’m finished I’ll wait around and drive you home.’

  ‘OK,’ Emma said, turning to hurry along the bar to serve a bunch of clamouring students.

  Upstairs ha
d a different atmosphere. Most of the customers were engrossed watching the girls dancing on the glass stage in the middle of the room. The girls wound their bodies round silver poles in a series of sinuous movements, and caressed the poles as if they were lovers. Later they would come off the stage to lap dance in close proximity to any man who could pay the price. Ryan found the whole thing decidedly sleazy.

  ‘You’ve come back.’

  Ryan turned to find Phil bending over him. The man’s breath wafted hotly over his neck.

  ‘Don’t be shy,’ Phil murmured, ‘you’re such an attractive little thing.’

  He was so close Ryan could smell his aftershave and the mint chewing gum Phil was never without. Ryan’s stomach turned over and he was surprised to find himself wanting Phil to reach out and touch him. But it was a momentary urge and he shook it off, turning his face away from Phil’s hypnotic gaze, knowing if he kept up the eye contact, he would be lost.

  ‘Which one is Angel? Tony wants me to video her for his web site.’ He hoped his voice was not shaking.

  Phil straightened. ‘The blonde one,’ he said, gesturing towards the stage. ‘But I’m sure your tastes don’t run in that direction. I know a potential queen when I see one.’ He laughed. ‘I’ll be here when you’re ready.’

  The evening passed quickly for both Ryan and Emma, and when they got home Diane was scrubbing the kitchen floor. Ryan went into the kitchen while Emma ran upstairs to put her coat away.

  ‘It’s time to stop, Mum.’ Ryan put his arm round Diane’s shoulders and helped her to her feet. ‘It’s after midnight, you must be tired.’

  ‘Not really,’ she said, ‘but I have to keep busy.’

  ‘I know, but you have to stop sometime. Besides, you were going to have a word with Emma.’

  ‘Not now. In the morning. I’ll talk to her in the morning.’ Diane’s voice was heavy with exhaustion.

  ‘OK. You go to bed and I’ll bring you a mug of Horlicks.’

  ‘I won’t sleep. I’m too wired.’

  ‘Take a pill, Mum. It’ll help.’

  ‘I don’t want a pill. They make me heavy the next day.’

  ‘It would help.’

  ‘You’re a good lad, Ryan. Just bring me the Horlicks.’

  Emma’s bedroom door slammed and he could hear her descending the stairs.

  ‘Goodnight, Ryan,’ Diane said, shuffling out of the kitchen. ‘I’m not in the mood just now,’ he heard her say to Emma, ‘but we’ll talk in the morning.’

  ‘What was that all about?’ Emma said when she came into the kitchen.

  ‘I was trying to persuade Mum to take one of her sleeping pills but she was resistant. I’ll slip one into her Horlicks. She’ll never know.’

  Ryan set out three mugs. ‘The milk’s on the boil. I’ll take mine upstairs.’

  ‘Sounds a good idea.’ Emma watched as he poured the milk. ‘I’m beat, I’ll be glad to get to bed.’

  Ryan mixed the Horlicks and dropped a pill into his mother’s mug. ‘Not a word, mind,’ he said, and lifting two of the mugs he climbed the stairs.

  He tapped on his mother’s bedroom door. ‘Here you are,’ he said, ‘drink it while it’s hot.’

  Emma was on the landing when he came out and, after saying, ‘Goodnight,’ he went into his room and shut the door. He laid the mug on his bedside table, went to his wardrobe and rummaged for the carrier bag at the back. The one he kept hidden from his mum and Emma. Pulling out the sheer, cream silk pyjamas embroidered with roses he held them up to his face, feeling the luxury of the material caress his skin. He shed his clothes and put them on. Pure bliss. At times like this he could imagine he was the girl he was meant to be.

  * * * *

  She had found the ideal hiding place, and had perfected the art of stillness when all she moved were her eyes. None of them suspected she was here. It was better they did not know. But now the house was wrapped in silence, brooding and dark, Jade decided it was safe enough to surface.

  She stared into the darkness – a darkness as deep as the one inside her – trying to remember who had taken her and what they had done. But the memories were dormant, pushed into the depths of her subconscious. The only thing left was the sense of horror.

  Moving first a finger, next her arm, then her legs, she stood up, and cat-like slid from her hiding place. She stretched. It was good to be out in the open, although the time was not yet right to reveal herself.

  Inside the house she moved silently on the landing, tempted to open their bedroom doors and look at them. But she had waited so long before her return she could not risk giving herself away now.

  Tiptoeing through the darkness she collected the laptop, glided down the stairs – carefully missing the creaking one near the bottom, picked up her mother’s car keys from the hall table, and quietly left the house.

  She drove down Brantwood Avenue, turned left at the junction with Byron Road, followed it until she came to Derby Street, where she turned to access the quiet parking area behind the multis. There was always sure to be an unprotected wireless hotspot where there were lots of houses. It did not take her long and she was soon online in a private chat room, reeling in her next mark.

  When she was done she drove to the club and, using Diane’s keys, let herself in the back door. It wouldn’t do for either the family or the police to find the laptop. She had to hide it and she knew the perfect place.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kate tightened her lips as Bill moved to peer into the van. The man was insufferable, not only had he tried to advise her about procedure but he had brushed off Malik’s treatment of her with a flip remark. Well, a few days of watching CCTV footage would soon sort him out.

  Crossing to the far side of the car park she approached the two policewomen guarding the boys. ‘DI Rawlings,’ she said, brandishing her ID card. ‘And you are?’

  ‘WPC Amanda Burns, ma’am.’

  ‘WPC Louise Walker, ma’am.’

  ‘And which of you two boys found the body?’ Kate eyed them speculatively. ‘Well, speak up lads,’ she said, ‘we don’t have all day.’

  ‘Excuse me, ma’am, but their parents are on the way to the office and I was about to take them there for questioning.’

  Kate frowned at Louise. ‘I want to know how the body was found. After that you can take them in for questioning.’

  A smile of grim satisfaction pulled at the corners of her mouth as she watched Walker’s face redden.

  ‘Well lads,’ she said, ‘which one of you has a tongue in his head?’

  ‘It was me, miss. I was the one as saw the body first.’

  ‘And your name is?’

  ‘Ross, miss. Ross Duncan.’

  ‘Well, Ross. How about telling me what you were doing when you found him.’

  ‘We weren’t doing nothing, miss. We was just walking past the van when the door swung open. We couldn’t miss seeing him, miss. He were lying there all horrible like.’

  Kate’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. She wondered whether his story would change once he knew they’d been spotted on CCTV. She was tempted to tell him but knew if she did, it would contaminate the evidence.

  ‘I see. And what about you?’ Kate swung round to face the other boy who immediately burst into tears.

  ‘I think that’s enough,’ Louise said. ‘I don’t think we should question them further without their parents present.’

  ‘When I want your opinion I’ll ask for it,’ Kate snapped. But she knew the policewoman was right, which made it even more aggravating.

  * * * *

  ‘Oops, here comes your boss. I’m off to pack up my kit before she nobbles me.’ Colin scuttled to the front of the van and started to gather up his gear.

  Bill followed him and tapped his shoulder. ‘What’s the matter, mate. You got something against women cops?’

  ‘Not particularly, but that is one formidable lady. Besides, I heard the way she talked to the doc and I’m not in the mood for that kind of
treatment.’

  Bill suppressed a laugh. ‘Go on then. I’ll keep her occupied.’

  He watched Kate’s approach, and was forced to agree with Colin’s assessment of her as she strode purposefully towards them with a ferocious expression on her face. Beyond her, Louise and WPC Burns were ushering the two boys into a car. He willed Louise to turn and look towards him, maybe send him some signal, Bill was disappointed when she didn’t.

  He turned back to Colin. ‘I expect the DI’s going to want to see inside the van,’ Bill said. ‘Is it clear for that yet?’

  ‘Sure.’ Colin grabbed his bag and headed for the SOCO van. ‘We’re finished but the guys from the mortuary will be here any minute. You’d better be quick.’

  ‘What’s happening?’ Kate’s voice was sharp.

  ‘The SOCOs are finished, ma’am. We can have a closer look at the body now.’

  ‘About time,’ she muttered. ‘They say anything?’

  ‘They think it’s an overdose. He’s got a needle stuck in his arm, but he’s also tied to the floor of the van. They don’t think it was accidental. Oh, and he’s got green beads stuck in his eyes.’

  Kate scrambled into the van for a closer look. ‘You think it might be a weird sexual game gone wrong?’

  ‘Could be,’ Bill said. The uncomfortable feeling at the pit of his stomach led him to think it was something more. However, he did not think Kate would be open to anything intuitive. She would be more into facts and evidence than gut feelings.

  She reversed out of the van. ‘Have a look and see what you think,’ she said, ‘and write a report. I’ll want it on my desk before the briefing meeting tomorrow morning.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘Stay here and wait for the body to be removed. The meeting will be at 8.30am sharp. Be there.’ She strode off in the direction of the lower level where the police cars were parked.

  Bill thrust his clenched hands into his pockets to prevent himself from thumping the back of the van. Bloody woman. What made it all right for her to instruct him when she was skiving off? She was the senior officer. She was the one who should have stayed at the crime scene. He struck the side of his thighs repeatedly with his clenched fists until he cooled down, and then turned to inspect what was inside the van.