Anna was touched by the kind words and the concern in the other woman's voice. “I'll be careful, he won't trick me again. That's why I wanted to speak to Gary. Will you tell him to ring me if you see him?” They chatted for a few moments about Andrea and Neil and the upcoming birth. Cara was even more excited than Gary had been at the thought of being an uncle. When she finally hung up, Anna had given Cara her address and made her promise to visit next time she was in Ireland visiting her sister. Anna liked her, she thought they would get along well when they eventually met in person.
She hurried out of the car park and walked to the nearest tube station and bought a travel card. The train was busy with commuters and business men and women, most sitting reading or staring blankly in front of them, trying not to catch the eye of another passenger, when one man caught her eye he looked quickly away. She was glad that she no longer lived in London it was too impersonal for her. At her stop she got off and exited onto the street. Here she had to ask a street vendor for directions, which he after taking in her appearance and obviously wondering why someone like her should be looking for a homeless shelter, pointed her in the right direction. She passed dozens of stalls selling fruit and veg, clothes and many more selling mouth-watering hot food from all over the world. The shelter itself was unimposing, fitting in with all the other buildings on the street. The only indication that it operated as a soup kitchen and shelter was a small polished brass plate on the wall beside the front door. A young woman was outside smoking, she greeted Anna cordially and pointed her to the manager's office.
The shelter was busy, lots of volunteers were busy rushing around clearing up after the morning's breakfast. It doubled as a soup kitchen where people could come and get a hot meal three times a day if they needed it. It was free but a donations box was sitting on the counter, where anyone who could afford to contribute did.
As she walked down the narrow dim corridor she passed a room, it was open and she saw two rows of beds all neatly laid out with a pillow and sheet and a blanket folded on each one. She guessed that there were at least ten beds in the room. It was much more spacious than it looked from the outside. She tapped gently on the office door, a soft voice bade her to enter. The office was small and piled high with plastic filing boxes. It had a cramped claustrophobic feel. A man who looked to be anywhere from forty to sixty years old stood up and greeted her, he was wearing brown baggy trousers and a brown jumper with just the collar of a cream shirt visible. Anna explained who she was and shaking hands across the desk with the manager was offered a seat opposite. He introduced himself as” Larry Morrison. Manager, cook, cleaner and general dogsbody” he grinned plesantly.
Anna detected a faint Northern accent. He started by saying.
“We are all very worried about Jane. It's not like her not to contact anyone here, or not to turn up. She was always here at least twice a week and if she was going away somewhere she always rang to say she couldn't come in.”
“You haven't heard anything from her either?”
“Not since she was here last, she said she was going to her stay with her sister for a while but that she would be back the following week. I tried to ring her when she didn't show up but her phone went straight to voice mail, I left numerous messages but she never rang back. The police called making enquiries the week before last. That was the first I knew of her being missing.”
“Did she say anything to you about getting unwanted attention or anybody following her?”
“No, Jane was a very private person. Everyone here loved her, we are like a big family, most of the people who come here whether, as volunteers or clients were treated the same by her. She was… is a very warm, caring person”
“Is it possible that someone took a shine or even a dislike to her, maybe wanted to harm her?”
“It's possible I suppose, I mean we get all sorts here, homeless, drug addicts even people out of prison who are finding it difficult to readjust to life on the outside. We have a policy here that if anyone gets any hassle from anyone else it has to be reported to me. Jane never complained about anyone.”
“How long have you known her?”
“A long time now, fifteen, sixteen years. I was a client here first before I got a job here. I had just been discharged from the army. I had been out in the Middle East. I saw a lot of horrific things I’d rather forget. Working here, helping others helps. It was Jane who first took pity on me I was living on the streets and very down on my luck. She came over and asked me if I had anywhere to stay and asked me if I was hungry. I was amazed that someone like her would even talk to me. Mostly I used to just get abuse and often got kicked at night while asleep in a doorway. She gave me money for some food and wrote down the address of this place and told me to come any time that they could help. Well I did, as you can see and I found that I liked it and I eventually got myself sorted with the help of Jane and others here. They saved my life I suppose you could say.”
“She sounds lovely. What did she do here?” Anna smiled at him.
“Jane mucked in like everyone else, cleaned, cooked etc. But she was most valuable with fund raising. She had a gift when it came to organising charity events. Of course she knew lots of wealthy people and twice a year she organised big events. Not long before she went missing she hosted and organised a charity auction and dinner. That event alone brought in enough funds to keep us going for at least six months.”
“Were you at that event?”
“Yes, I was. It was marvellous, I was a bit out of my comfort zone there. Had to dress up in evening wear, not used to that.” He smiled at her.
“Did you notice anyone that seemed to be around her a bit too much? You see I think that whoever abducted her had an obsession with her, a sort of stalker. He was calling and texting a lot. She had to change both her mobile and home number.” Anna was clutching at straws now in the hope he might have noticed something or someone unusual.
He thought for a moment, frowning. “Now that you mention it there was a man. She grabbed me at one stage as I was passing and introduced me to him. Then she just left and I was trying to make polite conversation with him. He looked as annoyed as I felt, when she just left us so abruptly.”
“What was unusual about that?” Anna asked puzzled.
“Jane knows I'm out of my depth at those parties, so normally she would introduce me to someone and explain who I am and stay and chat until she is sure that I’m comfortable. This time she didn't, it was like she just wanted to get away from this man. To pawn him off on someone else”
“Who was he?” Anna asked, hoping for a name.
“I'm afraid I don't remember. He didn't say a lot and we soon drifted apart. I did spot him watching Jane a couple of times but from a distance. I remember thinking at the time that he was a bit strange. I don't think she wanted him there.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Yes, he was tallish, taller than me, about six foot. Very suave, a Richard Geer type, mid- forties I'd guess, nothing else about him stood out particularly I'm afraid.”
Anna's phone rang interrupting his train of thought, she noted it was Morley's number, she apologised and pressed the reject button. She wanted to speak to him but was just starting to get somewhere and didn't want to put him off his train of thought. As it turned out he hadn’t much more to tell. He had left before midnight and hadn't seen anything else unusual. Taking her proffered card he promised to ring her if he remembered anything else. Anna left disappointed with not getting a name, but at least she now had someone who had noticed Jane behaving strangely before she disappeared. His description of the man matched hers. She thought that it could very well be the same person. She retraced her steps to the tube station and returned to her car. In the privacy of it she rang Morley back.
Chapter twenty seven
“Anna is everything okay?” Morley asked, sounding concerned when he answered her call.
“Yes, yes I'm fine. Thanks for ringing back.”
; “I was just about to report you as a missing person when I got your messages and couldn't contact you.”
“Sorry.” She said rather sheepishly. “I was interviewing Larry Morrison, the guy who runs the shelter Jane volunteered at.”
“That’s a relief, I thought that psycho had you. Anyway what can I do?”
“Something very strange happened early this morning, I was wondering if you could look into it for me.” She felt rather silly now thinking back to the incident, maybe he would just laugh at her.
“Okay shoot, what happened?”
“It's rather delicate, I'd rather not say on the phone. Can I meet you later?”
“Sure, I'm in London at the moment, still interviewing Jane and Sylvia's friends. I'm busy until later. How about you have dinner with me about eight, I'll pick you up.”
“Okay. Sounds good. Where?”
“I presume you're still at the Westhall's, how about I collect you there.”
“Great, I'll see you then.” She was just about to hang up when he said
“Take care, okay. That guy's still out there.” He hung up. Anna was touched, she could hear the genuine concern in his voice. She started up her car and drove out of the underground car park. She was thinking about her dinner date with Morley as she turned on the Sat-Nav and re-set it for Canterbury. She was wanted to look her best tonight and decided that it would be easier to find something to wear in Canterbury, and she would still have plenty of time to get ready for dinner. She wouldn't have to worry about traversing London during rush hour.
She spent a carefree hour browsing the shops in Canterbury High St. looking for the perfect outfit to wear. She finally decided on a close-fitting sleeveless royal blue dress. It stopped just above her knees and showed off her slim, toned legs. The lady in the shop looked on enviously as Anna walked out of the dressing-room for a second opinion.
“You look great. That dress was made for you.” She said nodding approval as Anna examined herself in the mirror.
“I'll take it.” Anna said delighted with her choice. She spotted a brightly coloured pashmina on a mannequin and draped it over her shoulders. It completed the outfit beautifully.
“Hot date tonight?” The shop assistant asked as she rang up Anna's purchases. Anna blushed slightly.
“Not exactly, but you never know.”
“He's a lucky man whoever he is.” The assistant smiled at her, handing her the carefully wrapped dress and shawl. Anna left the shop feeling on top of the world. She scolded herself for getting too excited about dinner with Morley. It's not a date she chided herself. She spent another half an hour searching for a suitable pair of shoes to wear and finding a mid-heel pair that were comfortable and fashionable, purchased them and headed back to the car. She still had business to conduct and she wanted to interview Jane's estranged husband. He had been staying with the Westhall’s since arriving back from abroad and Molly had told her that he would be back again around six-thirty that evening. Anna wanted to catch him before he headed off again on his travels.
True to his word Ian Turner arrived back at the Westhall's at six thirty. He had promised to take his daughters out to dinner and Eva muttered to Anna that he was always true to his word...except where his wife was concerned. Anna knew that Eva hadn't much time for him and she understood. She knew how mad she would be if someone treated one of her sisters like that. She didn't have to ambush Ian Turner to interview him. He sought her out first, she was in the kitchen chatting to Eva and Olana. He greeted both Eva and Olana politely before turning to Anna. Eva introduced him to Anna and he politely shook her hand and asked how she was after her ordeal. She told him that she was recovering very nicely. Anna could see how he wouldn't have much trouble with the opposite sex. She could feel the easy charm exude from him. He was wearing a navy Hugo Boss pin-striped suit with a slightly lighter shirt on inside and a Bart Simpson tie with a tie pin also of Bart Simpson. Oddly it all went very well together and immediately gave the impression that though he was a serious business man, he also had a fun side. As though reading her mind, he said.
“Father's day presents from my daughters. They always assume I won't dare to wear them. It’s a running joke now.” His eyes twinkled at her. “People sometimes under-estimate me when they see my choice of neck wear. I have dozens like this.”
“Nobody could ever under-estimate you Ian.” Eva said rather tartly.
“I hope not.” He said turning slightly towards her. “I wonder Miss Cotter, if I could speak to you privately.”
“Of course. Would now suit. I have an appointment later.” Anna said
“That would be perfect. Do you mind if we use the drawing room.” He asked Eva.
“Please do.” She replied. He held the kitchen door open for Anna and followed her out.
“Miss Cotter” he said when they were seated. “I understand that since Eva hired you, you have started an avalanche of events. Can you fill me in please? We are all very worried about Jane”
“Of course and please call me Anna. I have wanted to meet with you too, I was hoping that you might have some idea where Jane might have gone or who with.”
“I wish I did.” He said rather sadly. “I assume you know that Jane and I are separated. It's totally my fault. I took her for granted. I played away. I'm not going to make excuses for my behaviour. Jane is a fantastic woman, not one who only wanted me for my position or money. We have two daughters together and she was always my best friend. The one I could discuss anything with. It's easy to see now to see how badly I treated her, and I'm sorrier that you could ever imagine. But whatever happened between us, it’s the girls I'm worried about. They need their mother, they are desperately worried for her. Do you think she is alive? Do you think someone still has her?” He asked this last part fearfully, hoping that she wouldn't say that Jane was dead. Hoping that she could give him some hope, something to cling to.
“I do think she's alive.” Anna said gently. “Things have happened lately that give me great confidence that she is. As I'm sure you’ve been told, I'm not the usual type of investigator people hire. I received some information this morning that Jane is alive. I am currently trying to verify it”
“Who from? The police haven't said anything to us.” He had a glimmer of hope growing in him.
“They don't know. It’s, how can I put this...... from a rather unconventional source. To do with my type of investigative method. I need to check out my source, to see if she is trustworthy so to speak. That's what I'm hoping to find out this evening.” Anna leaned closer and took his hand in hers. “I promise you that I'm for real. I wouldn't try to lead anybody up the garden path.”
“I know you are. I can see that you are.” I had my doubts until Eva and the girls convinced me. Even then I wasn't totally convinced until now. You don’t look like a charlatan”
“Tell me” Anna asked him. “Did you speak to your wife since the separation?”
“We spoke a few times, but as you can imagine it was only about the girls or the house, things like that. She refused to discuss us or our relationship.”
“Do you know if she met anyone else, was dating anyone else?” Anna asked as delicately as she could. Ian looked pained, he didn't like to think of Jane with anyone else.
“Not as far as I'm aware. Oh she had plenty of admirers. She was the kind of lady that made one want to look after her. I know a lot of guys who admired her.”
“Was there anyone in particular. As you know she was getting a lot of calls and texts from someone. Do you have any idea who it was?”
“I can give you a few names of guys who asked her out, but as for more than that I really couldn't say. Friends or gossips you might call them, often told me if she was at a particular party. They loved to be able to inform me when she was spending more time than usual talking to someone in particular. Oddly enough it was always men they told me about.” He said dryly.
“Do you have names? Everyone is a suspect at this stage, anyone who st
ood out more than others. Maybe someone you heard mentioned more than others?”
Ian thought for a moment before answering. “I remember Sylvia mentioning a few guys. I rang her sometimes, just to make sure Jane was okay, she wouldn't speak to me I roped in Sylvia. She did mention a couple of guys that seemed to hang around. “Like a bad smell,” was how Sylvia put it?”
“Do you remember names?” Anna probed
“I remember she mentioned Stanley Okham and Richard Kingston and there was someone else.... oh yes and Hamish McGregor. They’re the only ones I remember. I know them all. London can be a small place sometimes. I can't imagine Jane having anything much to do with any of them. Stanley is a complete bore, middle-aged and fat. Richard is handsome enough I suppose, but a bit of a ponce, I always thought he was a bit too touchy feely. Hamish reminds me of that guy on the T V that jumps around the place chewing some brand of sweets. All bushy hair and kilts.”
“The thing is Ian, Jane doesn't have to fancy him. He just has to think she does. Maybe whoever it was thought she was coming on to him. It’s all in their heads, that's what makes it harder to understand.”
“I just can't imagine it being any one of them.” Ian was looking baffled, trying to recall something that Sylvia might have said that might implicate someone. He couldn't think of anything.
“More often than not It's the person we least expect. The one who seems normal, acts normal.” Anna said. She was feeling more optimistic now that she had some names to follow up on. “Can you get me the phone numbers and addresses of those men? I think I should give them a call.”
“Sure, I’ll get them right now.” He took out his phone scrolled through his contacts. He walked to the desk and found a pen and paper and wrote down the three names and numbers for her. Handing it to her he said with a passion.
“If anyone of these guys has harmed Jane I'll kill them with my own bare hands.”
“Listen Ian, It might not be any of them, but maybe they know something. Promise me you'll let me question them first. Whoever has Jane might harm her if they think we are getting close. Will you promise me not to contact them until we know for sure? “Anna said firmly.
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