Schoolgirl Missing
Page 34
Neve felt her head tip to one side as the room tilted. She reached out and grabbed the arm of the sofa.
‘Neve? You OK?’ asked Kit, sitting next to her and putting an arm around her.
‘Sorry, just don’t feel too well.’
‘Can we leave it there for this morning?’ said Kit, looking up at the police inspector.
‘Of course. That was all I needed to let you know,’ he said. ‘We’ll keep you informed of any updates. In light of all this, I don’t need you to come down to the station today.’
Kit saw the DCI out and then came back into the living room.
‘I don’t understand,’ said Neve. ‘The picture and the address. What was Jake doing with them?’ She paused as she looked at her husband. He had an expression on his face that she couldn’t quite place. It was one of … pride? Maybe that was too strong a definition, but she knew him well enough to know that he was pleased about something. ‘Tell me?’
He came over to her and put his arms around her. ‘You don’t need to know. Just trust me on this. The police aren’t going to be looking at you anymore in connection with Poppy’s disappearance.’
Slowly, it began to dawn on Neve. ‘You …’ she began but Kit put his finger to her lips and shook his head.
‘We have to trust each other now, Neve. It’s us against them. If we want to keep all that we’ve worked so hard for, fought so much for and to have what we want in the future, then we have to stick together. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
The enormity of what Kit had done to keep her from being charged with kidnap and murder, wasn’t lost on her. It only served to prove how committed Kit was to making a success of their marriage. ‘I understand, totally,’ she said. ‘But there is one thing, what about Lee?’
‘No need to worry about Lee,’ said Kit. ‘He won’t be bothering us again.’
Kit silenced any further questions she had with a kiss. ‘We can concentrate on each other, on our family and hopefully our future family.’
As Neve nestled into Kit’s arms, she forced herself to think of a life ahead of them where they had their own child, and it made her heart sing. She was going to have the family she so desired. But there was a definite off-beat in that song. A dark undertone which she would have to learn to live with and ignore like she had all the other dark things in her life. She knew it was the price she had to pay for what she wanted. But the trade-off was worth it, or at least it would be. She could and would learn to live with the knowledge that one of them in the marriage was a murderer, she just didn’t know which of them it was.
Chapter 41
THE WEST SUSSEX ECHO
Police have today confirmed they are no longer looking for anyone else in connection with the death of two local men who they believe were involved in the abduction of local schoolgirl, Poppy Masters.
In July 2018, the body of Ashley Farnham was discovered at the foot of Beachy Head, after going missing from Ambleton, West Sussex where he had been working at a home for young adults.
Poppy Masters went missing for four days from her father’s boat, whilst it was moored up overnight in Lower Bury. She was unharmed during her captivity, and although blood tests proved inconclusive, it is thought she had been drugged during that time.
Police confirmed that the date rape drug, commonly known as GHB, was found in the rucksack of Farnham, together with a large sum of money. It was believed that Farnham and local artist Jake Rees were behind the kidnapping of Poppy Masters. Prior to the discovery of Farnham’s body, Rees was viciously attacked at Ambleton harbour and subsequently died from his injuries. A source close to the investigation claims that Farnham and Rees got into an argument about the ransom money and this lead to the attack on Rees by Farnham.
Neve closed the newspaper, folded it in half and looked out across the River Amble. Willow was sniffing about in the bushes a little way ahead on the footpath, the previous night’s frost now disappeared. Neve pulled the collar of her coat up and wriggled her hands back into her gloves.
So, it was official. The case was closed. They weren’t looking for anyone else in relation to Poppy’s disappearance or Lee’s death. It was there in black and white.
‘You’ve seen the paper, then?’
The voice startled Neve. She hadn’t been aware of anyone approaching. She recognised the deep tones immediately.
‘Hello,’ she said, forcing a smile at DCI Pearson. ‘This is a surprise. I thought you’d retired?’
Pearson sat himself down on the bench next to her.
‘Retired last month.’
‘Are you enjoying it?’ said Neve, as she scrambled her brain to guess why the former DCI was here.
‘I’m glad to be out, to be honest,’ said Pearson.
‘Really? Why’s that?’
‘Policing has changed. These days it’s all about money, resources, time, statistics and reassuring the public. Of course, what went on here is all wrapped up neatly now. The powers that be can congratulate themselves that a murder has been solved and a death accounted for.’
‘Isn’t it always about funding?’
‘That and hard evidence,’ said Pearson. ‘Proof that will stand up in court.’
‘Yes, I believe that’s what makes a fair trial,’ said Neve.
‘Do you want to know my theory on Poppy’s disappearance?’
‘Not really.’ Although Neve had a feeling Pearson was going to share it with her regardless.
‘Just humour me, eh?’ said Pearson.
Neve shrugged. On reflection it would be interesting to learn Pearson’s take on it.
‘I think Jake was a fall-guy, a patsy, a scapegoat. He was used to take the blame for Poppy’s disappearance. He was in love with you and you used that to your advantage.’
‘That’s some allegation,’ said Neve, forcing the most level tone she could. ‘Totally untrue but, please, do go on. I’m intrigued.’
‘You don’t sound particularly outraged or surprised by that,’ said Pearson.
‘It’s too ridiculous to be outraged about,’ replied Neve. ‘Anyway, as you were saying …’
‘You’re a tough cookie, Neve. I’ll give you that,’ said Pearson. ‘As I see it, somehow you arranged to meet Jake down here by the river. I don’t know if you asked him to come, or he asked you, but that’s by the by. You showed him the ransom note and was probably banking on Jake doing the noble thing and insisting he came with you. Prior to meeting Jake, you phoned the police with a tip-off of where Poppy was. I suspect somewhere along the line you had a pay-as-you-go phone. How am I doing so far?’
‘It’s like an episode of Columbo,’ said Neve. ‘Minus the mac, dodgy eye and cigar.’
Pearson gave a small grunt. ‘Now, that note, I don’t know if you really received a third note and you switched it for the ransom note, or what, but I’m certain it was a plant. I mean, who would kidnap for the sake of ten thousand pounds? Which, incidentally, happened to be the daily withdrawal limit of your ISA.’
‘And I suppose I did all this, while keeping Poppy hidden away?’ She held her nerve as she waited for the DCI to respond.
‘You had an accomplice. Not Jake. I’m certain that wasn’t his MO. No, it would be someone you could trust, someone you’d been in cahoots with before. Like an old friend, who very conveniently threw himself off Beachy Head. It’s quite convenient for you that both men ended up dead, they can’t prove or disprove my theory.’
‘All this is pure speculation,’ said Neve, standing up. ‘What possible motive would I have had to kidnap my own daughter?’
Pearson rose to his feet. ‘I don’t know. You’ve got me there and one of the reasons why we didn’t press charges.’
Neve called Willow over and clipped on her lead. ‘Well, thanks for the afternoon story. If you don’t mind, I need to get on.’ She ran her hand over her rounded stomach. ‘Midwife appointment.’
Pearson eyed her baby bump. ‘When’s it due?’
‘Yesterday
, as a matter of fact,’ said Neve. ‘I’m going in tomorrow for a C-section.’
‘Boy or girl?’
‘Boy,’ said Neve, her heart filling with warmth. She couldn’t wait to hold Louis in her arms.
‘Good luck,’ said Pearson. ‘I hope it’s been worth it.’
Neve watched him turn the corner of the river path and take the steps up to the road. The end definitely justified the means. Of course, it had been worth it.
Acknowledgements
I owe a huge debt of gratitude, not just to my amazing editor, Charlotte Ledger, but to the whole team at HarperCollins who have been involved in putting this book together. Particular thanks to Emily Ruston and Laura Gerrard, who have worked both patiently and tirelessly with me to help mould my story into shape.
Thank you to Rebecca Bradley for advising me on the police procedure regarding missing persons. Any mistakes are, of course, mine.
As always, much love and thanks to my family who are unflinching in their support – love you all.
Writing can be an isolating experience at times but thanks to social media, it has meant I can chat to my fellow writing pals on a daily basis. In particular, I would like to give a big shout out to Laura E. James, Catherine Miller, Mandy Baggot and Nicky Wells who are superb sounding boards, agony aunts, partners in crime and all-round good eggs!
Biggest thanks must go to my readers. I’m so lucky to be able to do a job I love and to be able to share that love. I’m constantly cheered on by you all, whether it’s buying, reading, tweeting, reviewing, sharing or messaging me. It’s a privilege I’m humbled by.
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About the Author
Sue Fortin was born in Hertfordshire but had a nomadic childhood, moving often with her family, before eventually settling in West Sussex. She is married with four children, all of whom patiently give her the time to write but, when not behind the keyboard, she likes to spend time with them, enjoying both the coast and the South Downs between which they are nestled. Sue is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association.
@suefortin1
www.suefortin.co.uk
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