Authors: Catherine Lambert
“Of course,” Inspector Salt nodded.
“Was the communication received by you personally Mr. Lawton?” the constable asked.
“No it was handed to Mrs. Gilroy, the receptionist; temporary receptionist that is.”
“I’ll need to speak to her also.”
“That should be quite an experience for you Inspector, Good luck,” Alex grinned.
“One more thing Mrs. Preston, the press will want to speak to you. I’m not in a position to stop you, but just be careful what you say to them. We usually attend a press conference on a weekly basis, and the details of your husband’s disappearance will be released. It’s entirely up to you if you decide to grant an in-depth interview to the press.”
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Kate replied vaguely.
Inspector Salt stood up, followed promptly by his P.C.
“If we could see the room now,” he addressed Alex, who stood up.
“Of course, follow me.”
“Before we go Mrs. Preston, does your husband carry a mobile phone?” Salt asked.
“Yes, but there’s no reply, the last time I called it was dead,” she explained.
“If you could let me have his number, we might be able to get some information from it.”
“Right,” Kate mumbled as she took a business card from her purse, and passed it over.
“If you’re ready Inspector you can see Ben’s room,” Alex announced impatiently.
The trio took the lift to the third floor, and walked the short distance to room 137. The inspection that followed revealed very little due to the cleanliness of the interior, and the fact that Kate had also spent the night there. Alex assured the officer’s that someone other than his own staff had thoroughly cleaned the room, before Ben left. It was obvious from his expression that Inspector Salt was irritated by the situation, and immediately ordered P.C Newell to follow him to the reception area where Mrs. Gilroy was duly interviewed. As expected, she caused confusion and furore, accusing the officer of harassing her.
“What a weird woman, I feel sorry for her husband,” P.C Newell spoke out as Mrs. Gilroy walked away from the officers, refusing to answer any more of their questions.
“Mind what you say Newell,” Salt reprimanded his flippancy.
The police presence caused a few curious glances from passing guests and Alex was relieved when they finally departed, their attendance in his hotel was not good for his reputation or business. He instructed Mrs. Gilroy to inform anyone who enquired about their attendance in the hotel, that it was a courtesy call concerning security matters. How she would translate that with her limited vocabulary and lack of decorum made him cringe, but she would be leaving at the end of the week- the agency had assured him of a replacement by then- if he had any guests left. For now, he would have to tolerate her crass manner for a few more days. Dismissing Mrs. Gilroy from his mind, he turned to Kate.
“Feel free to use the hotels facilities,” he offered.
“Thank you, but I really can’t see the point of staying here any longer.”
The conversation was interrupted by Alex’s mobile phone.
“Excuse me,” he answered the call.
Alex spoke for a few minutes then looked up at Kate.
“It’s a journalist from the Morning Herald; he wants to speak to you,” he whispered.
“What should I do?” she asked.
“It’s up to you.”
“Ok. I’ll speak to him”
Alex passed the phone to her.
“Hello, this is Mrs. Preston.”
“Hello Mrs. Preston my name is Danny Wilder, I represent the Morning Herald; we’ve heard about your husbands’ disappearance and if you’ve no objections, we’d like to do an interview.”
“I don’t know,” she hesitated.
“Could I send one of my reporters to the Hotel?”
“How do you know where I’m staying?” Kate was suspicious.
“I’m a journalist Mrs. Preston it’s my job to know,” he replied without elaborating.
Kate glanced up at Alex.
“Can they send a reporter here, would you mind?”
“As long as they’re discreet.”
“You can send someone, as long as you’re discrete,” she relayed the conditions.
“One of my reporters will be with you at 2 o’clock. His name is Patrick Hinds; I’ll tell him to be on his best behaviour. Thank you Mrs. Preston.”
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Danny Wilder studied his friend’s strained face, where desperation was evident on his wrinkled brow and around his blood-shot eyes. Part of him believed that Pat could give up alcohol, but another part knew he could easily revert back to his addiction. For now Danny had kept his promise to Pat, and now he had to keep his. If Pat let him down again, there would be no more second chances.
“This could be a big story Pat, don’t cock it up,” he warned.
“Just give me a chance,” he pleaded.
After a momentary pause, Danny studied his friend’s anxious expression and replied.
“This is your last chance Pat, don’t let me down,” he paused then leaned forward.
“All we know is that a business man by the name of Ben Preston has disappeared from The Lotus Hotel in Exeter. We need an interview with the wife. She’s staying at the hotel while she’s looking for him,” he explained.
“Thanks Pat I won’t let you down, but I could do with a bit of cash up front for expenses.”
“You can use this credit card for petrol and food and if you need to stay overnight; not at The Lotus,” he emphasised. Keep all your receipts and stay off the booze.”
“I haven’t touched a drop since Monday.”
“It’s only a few days Pat, but it’s a start I suppose. Now is there anything else you need?” he sighed.
“I could do with a car now you mention it,” Pat cringed.
“Christ, have you still got your licence?” Danny looked up
“Yeah, it’s about the only thing I have got left.”
“You’ll have to take the pool car, it’s not up to much but its legal,” Danny pushed a set of keys across the desk.
“That’s it then Danny I’m back in the driving seat,” Pat threw the keys in the air and caught them single-handed.
“Then make sure there’s no alcohol in your system,” he warned.
“I won’t let you down Dan; I promise.”
”Have you got a mobile to keep in touch?” Danny asked, already knowing the answer.
“I’ve got no credit left on it,” Pat admitted
“Don’t say anything else just take this one,” he dropped it into his hand, “and let me know what’s going on. Now get out of here before I change my mind.”
“I’m going, but seriously Danny I really do appreciate this.”
“Goodbye Pat,” Danny turned his attention to an incoming E-mail as Pat left the room.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Pat shouted aloud as he left the building. Behind the wheel of the Ford Mondeo- that had definitely seen better days- he smiled and it felt good. A few minutes later, he joined the congested roads and began his journey to Exeter; a journey that would change the rest of his life, and the life of three other people forever.
CHAPTER 7.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Kate spent what was left of the morning in an unexpected state of anxiety and depression. Her initial feelings of anger towards Ben’s betrayal had been replaced by the reality of his disappearance, and possible death. It had only been a few days since she had last seen him, but it felt like weeks, and she missed him dreadfully.
In contrast, Patrick Hinds was fast approaching the centre of Exeter singing to the country and western station on the radio. His mood was euphoric and his mind clear. His spirits had been lifted from the depths of alcoholic despair, back to the realms of sanity. He knew he hadn’t overcome the controlling grip of his habit, but he possessed a determination he hadn’t experienced since his early days of journalism. Just ahead of the next set of traffic lights, he could make out a huge glass sign with some sort of elaborate flower intertwined with the hotels’ name. He had reached his destination, and turned off the road into the parking area located at the back of the hotel.
Walking across the car-park, Pat was struck by the opulence of the hotel before him. Having stayed in one room boarding houses, four star hotels and everything in between, this place was something else. No doubt the clientele were too. He now understood why Danny had asked him to seek accommodation elsewhere.
After announcing his presence to the receptionist, he was instructed to take a seat in the waiting area. Very shortly, an impeccably dressed man who appeared to be somewhere in his forties, walked briskly into the corridor. Everything about him exuded wealth, from the clothes he wore to way he walked, and Pat was uncomfortably aware of his own shabby appearance as Alex Lawton approached him, with an outstretched hand and a friendly smile.
“Mr. Hinds, I’m Alex Lawton the hotel proprietor. I believe you wish to interview Mrs. Preston?”
“Pleased to meet you; is the lady available?” he shook his hand firmly and confidently.
“If you’d like to follow me, Mrs. Preston is in the lounge. Before you speak to her can I just say one thing?”
“Yes of course.”
“She’s been through a very emotional time over the last couple of days, so can you try to be sensitive,” he advised.
“Don’t worry I’ve had plenty of experience in these matters; trust me.”
Alex left Pat to introduce himself to Kate, and made his way back to his office.
Kate liked the look of Pat; he had a rugged but kind face, and a gentle voice which put her at ease. She also noticed he appeared to have fallen on hard times, judging by his worn out clothes.
She answered all his questions honestly and completely, as he took notes. He was very thorough and attentive, and instilled more confidence in her than the police had managed to do.
“Are you going to print everything I’ve told you?” she asked guardedly.
“Not everything, just the facts that are relevant to the case,” he explained.
“I’d appreciate you not mentioning my husband’s affair. I don’t want my personal life dragged into the public eye,” she warned.
“That’s fine, but it may be relevant later,” he advised her.
“This woman he was seen with in the bar,” he approached the subject with caution.
“Do you think she may have something to do with your husband’s disappearance?” he asked gently.
“I really don’t know, and I’d rather you didn’t speculate either,” Kate turned away.
“She may be important. You’d be surprised by how much information we get from members of the public who prefer to tell the newspapers than the police. We also pay a lot of money for exclusive information,” he explained
“I’m not interested in money Mr. Hinds I just want my husband back.”
“I didn’t mean you,” he smiled. “Now all I need is a photograph of your husband and if you don’t object, one of yourself.”
“I’m sorry the only one I have of Ben is with the police, but you can take one of me.”
“I can get a copy from the police it’s not a problem,” Pat nodded.
“One more thing before I leave, these photographs you received in the post, do you think they’re connected to your husband’s disappearance?” he asked.
“Well I didn’t at first, but now I’m beginning to think differently. It seems very odd that he should go missing a few days later though, don’t you think?”
“Maybe, but I need to do some checking up on this couple; Mr. and Mrs. Parish you said?”
“Yes, Gerry and Anne.”
“Well, thanks very much for your time Mrs. Preston; I’ll be in touch when I have any further news for you. On second thoughts, I’ll give you my phone number in case you think of anything else.” He took his mobile from his jacket and retrieved the number.
“It’s a new phone I don’t know the number,” he smiled.
“I never know mine,” Kate returned the smile.
He hastily scribbled the number on a scrap of paper, passed it to her and left.
After polishing the short notes, Pat contacted Danny and relayed the details of the interview.
“I’m going to find somewhere to stay overnight, and then I’m following a lead in Devon,” Pat spoke quickly.
“Devon, what are you on about?” Danny asked.
“I’ll explain later,” Pat hung up without any explanation, and headed out of the city centre.
In his search for suitable accommodation, Pat turned off the High street and scanned the back streets. A small boarding house offering home-cooked food in a pleasant friendly atmosphere fitted the bill, together with the fact that it was unlicensed. It was however inappropriately named ‘Treetops Boarding House, in that not a single tree was evident. The room was adequate, albeit somewhat lacking in mod cons. Consisting of a bed, wardrobe and wash basin, it was adequate rather than comfortable. Unfortunately, the bathroom- situated at the end of the corridor- was shared by a further six guests, Mrs. Dooley the portly landlady informed him.