‘To increase the drama,’ Lizzy replied.
Will frowned. ‘Really?’
‘As I said, nothing would surprise me.’
‘It does sound unlikely,’ Dan said, slowly, ‘but if you think of things from their perspective, then it might just make sense.’ He warmed to his theme: ‘They bring the villain right back into the story—’
‘So they’re creating the story, not just reporting on it,’ Sally finished for him.
Dan nodded. ‘Exactly. It happens all the time now with television. Reality TV, for example. The producers manipulate the people, who are in effect the actors, and the story is created not just by the people, but by the makers of the programme.’
‘Guy Roberts has certainly got a history of manipulative behaviour,’ Lizzy said.
‘But it still sounds crazy,’ Will said, ‘to think that we’re all being manipulated by someone just for a television programme.’
‘I didn’t say it was just for a programme,’ Dan replied. ‘There is another motive for Guy Roberts.’
‘Which is?’
‘Revenge.’
‘Revenge for what?’ Will said.
‘Revenge on Emma for pulling out of the film. We know the sort of controlling person he is. He likes to get his own way, and he’s got an extremely high opinion of himself. Emma rejecting his offer, it would have hurt. Maybe the whole idea of the docudrama is about revenge, and about maintaining control of Emma and her story.’
‘I’m just not sure how plausible that is,’ Will said.
Lizzy was more convinced. ‘I said as much to Guy himself. He denied it, of course.’
The group considered Dan’s theory in silence.
‘Do you think they’ve got Emma?’ Will said.
‘I hope so,’ Dan replied. ‘Because it’s much better than the alternative.’
Will dropped his head into his hands. ‘I hope to God that Peter Myers doesn’t have her. I don’t really care if the police catch him or not, as long as he stays away from Emma.’
Again the group fell silent.
‘Oh my God!’ Lizzy said, suddenly. ‘The girl in the house! I’ve worked it out. I think I know who it is!’
Chapter 39
She sat on the edge of the bed, alone and scared, as she listened for the sound of him downstairs. He had been out of the house a number of times since he had snatched her – was it only one day ago? – but his leaving had offered no chance of escape.
Each time he went out, the door to the box room that was her prison was bolted shut.
The lone, small window in the corner of the room was barred – she couldn’t even reach the glass to knock for help. Not that anyone would be passing by to hear her – the brief look she had had out of the window whilst balancing precariously on the foot of the bed had told her that it looked out onto a back garden, strewn with household rubbish, interspersed with thick weeds.
But now, after a night and day in which she had despaired, there was at last some hope.
Fifteen minutes ago, he had visited her. When he left, he had forgotten to lock the door. And then the sound that she had been waiting for – the sound of the front door closing.
He had gone out.
She waited another few minutes, still listening intently, before raising herself from the bed.
Can I risk it?
She had to. She moved across to the door and paused with a hand on the knob. Again she listened. No sound. Opening the door as silently as she could, she moved out onto the landing.
Please, let the front door be open, please . . .
As she crept towards the staircase however, she suddenly heard a noise, and he was on her, grabbing her hair, yanking her back with brutal force.
‘Don’t think . . . you’re . . . getting away,’ he said, as they struggled on the landing.
She managed to lash out with an elbow and connected with his ribs, shaking him off and running for the stairs. But as she went to descend, he pushed her hard from behind and she careered downwards, crashing down the stairs and tumbling head over heels to the bottom.
Peter Myers stared impassively from the top of the staircase at her lifeless body.
If she hadn’t tried to leave me, this would never have happened.
He moved slowly down the stairs and knelt next to her. He brushed back the strands of brown hair that had fallen forwards over her face. Her eyes were closed and it didn’t look as if she was breathing. ‘So beautiful.’
He pressed two fingers into her neck, and waited for several seconds. ‘You shouldn’t have tried to run.’ He stroked her cheek. ‘Rest in peace.’
Chapter 40
Gasnier rapped at the door for a second time, then peered through the downstairs window, cupping his hands against the cool glass. No sign of movement. He cursed the fact that they didn’t have a mobile telephone number for him.
‘What now?’ Davies said. ‘Try the others?’
Gasnier nodded. ‘Yes, let’s go.’
They walked back down the path but, just as they got to the car, a voice called out behind them. ‘Excuse me?’
It was the next-door neighbour. A middle-aged woman, who must have been watching them from inside as she did the dishes – she was still wearing yellow rubber gloves, soap suds dangling from the fingers like stalactites. ‘Are you looking for Edward?’
‘Yes, we are.’ Gasnier smiled, but inside he wasn’t happy with himself – why hadn’t he tried the neighbours? It was a pretty basic thing. Maybe he was losing his touch. Or maybe he was just tired – his wife had reminded him that morning that it was over a year since he’d taken any significant holiday. ‘Do you know where he’s likely to be?’
‘I do.’ She beamed. ‘He’ll be at the hospital, with his new baby.’
‘Really?’ Gasnier sensed Davies look over at him. ‘So, congratulations are in order?’
‘Oh, yes,’ she said. ‘He’s had a little boy called Jack. He showed me a photograph. He’s such a lovely baby. I think this baby will do him the world of good. Even though he’s quite old to be a new dad.’
‘Do you know which hospital they’re at?’
‘Oh, yes, St Thomas’. It’s where my daughter went, too.’
‘Great,’ Gasnier said, already turning back towards the car. He nodded to Davies. ‘You’ve been a great help, Mrs—?’
‘Blackmore,’ the woman said. ‘Elizabeth Blackmore.’ Her face creased slightly. ‘There’s nothing wrong, is there? I mean, at such a happy time . . . nothing’s happened, has it?’
Gasnier paused at the open car door. ‘Just some routine questions. Nothing to worry about.’
‘Because, of course, I know all about what happened to his daughter, Emma, and her boyfriend. I mean, that really was an awful thing.’ She shook her head at the thought. ‘Such a dreadful thing. I’ve known Emma since she was a small child. She always was such a wonderful little girl. I hope she’s happy now.’
‘So do I,’ Gasnier replied, getting in the car. ‘So do I.’
‘So, how do we play this? Davies asked, as Gasnier parked outside the hospital entrance.
‘Well, we don’t want to create a scene. We need to deal with this away from the mother and child. I don’t want to be held responsible for any upset – I know from experience how protective of new mothers the nursing staff on maternity wards can be. And if I remember correctly, Edward’s partner, Miranda, works here, so it will apply more than ever, I’m sure. We just go in there, ask for him to be brought to us, and then deal with things in a private room.’
‘Sounds sensible. And if he’s not there?’
‘Then we may have to involve Miranda. But let’s hope that isn’t the case.’
They swept through the sliding doors of the hospital’s main entrance and headed for the lift.
The maternity ward was on the second floor, its reception straight in front of them. It was staffed by two nurses, one of whom had spotted their arrival. ‘Can I help you?’
‘Detective Inspector Mark Gasnier, Metropolitan Police, and my colleague, Detective Sergeant Christian Davies. We’re hoping to find a Mr Edward Holden. We’ve been led to believe that his partner, Miranda, is here.’ He showed his badge, which the young nurse studied. The sound of newborn cries drifted in from adjoining rooms, and a young girl in a blue hospital gown shuffled gingerly past them.
‘Just one moment,’ the nurse said, turning to her colleague. ‘Yvonne?’
The other nurse – the older of the two by some margin – was already looking up from her paperwork. ‘I know who you mean. He’s in with Miranda and the baby now. I’ll go and fetch him. I’d prefer it if you didn’t go onto the ward.’
‘Of course,’ Gasnier replied.
Great, he’s here.
‘Is there somewhere where we can talk?’
She nodded. ‘You can use the tea room.’
Edward Holden entered the room looking like a man bracing himself for very bad news. Gasnier and Davies had remained standing during their minute’s wait, but they had arranged three chairs in preparation for his arrival.
Gasnier smiled. ‘Mr Holden, hello. If you wouldn’t mind closing the door behind you.’
He nodded and pushed the door shut.
Gasnier gestured. ‘Please, take a seat.’
They all sat down, the two officers facing Edward Holden.
‘Has something happened to Emma?’ Edward asked.
Gasnier studied his face. It was a passable act, but he had seen much better. ‘Do you have something to tell us, Edward?’
The cracks were already opening up. ‘I . . . I don’t know what you mean. How would I have something—?’
‘Edward. You were extremely lucky to escape without charge for what you did, back in September. And you only escaped on a technicality, not because you didn’t deserve to be punished. So, if I were you, I would be very grateful for your good fortune. And I would also ensure that I didn’t place myself in a similar situation in the future. Because, believe me, things don’t always work out so well. Individuals do often get what they deserve.’
‘I understand,’ Edward said, softly. ‘I am grateful.’
‘Good. So I’ll ask you again. Do you have something to tell us?’
Edward closed his eyes.
‘Mr Holden. Last chance. It would be much better if it came from you.’
Edward nodded, his eyes still closed tightly. ‘I know where Emma is.’
Gasnier waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. ‘How do you know?’
Edward’s eyes opened, tears pooling in them. ‘Because I took her.’
Chapter 41
‘Do you have the photograph?’ Lizzy said, excitedly.
‘What photograph?’ Dan replied.
‘The one that the person sent you. With you and Stuart.’
Dan looked puzzled. ‘Yes, it’s in my coat pocket, I think – inside pocket.’
Without explanation, Lizzy rushed out into the hallway and came back clutching the photograph. ‘I knew it!’ she said, slapping the photograph onto the table. ‘The girl who I saw at Guy Roberts’ house, I didn’t recognise her. I recognised her
brother
.’
Dan looked up. ‘It was Stuart Harris’s sister?’
‘I’m as sure as I can be,’ Lizzy replied. ‘The resemblance is clear, now I’ve seen this.’
‘Charlotte does know Guy,’ Sally said, ‘but not very well. Just through Stuart. They’ve never socialised together, as far as I know. Are you saying that she was there
with
him?’
‘She was half naked in his house,’ Lizzy said. ‘My first reaction was that they were together.’
Sally seemed unwilling to contemplate that idea. ‘Are you sure it was Charlotte?’
‘I’d place money on it.’
‘I saw them talking at Stuart’s funeral,’ Sally said, almost to herself, her thoughts churning. ‘Afterwards, at the wake, they were talking for quite a while. He had his arm around her. I thought he was just offering her support and comfort.’
‘Do you think there’s more to this than just a friendship or relationship?’ Will said to Lizzy.
‘Yes, I do.’
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ Dan said. ‘Charlotte Harris is another person of use to Guy. Another person from whom he can obtain information for the docudrama.’
‘That’s exactly what I’m thinking.’
‘But what’s in it for her?’ Will said.
‘Maybe she believes in the relationship,’ Lizzy replied. She turned to Sally. ‘Do you think Guy could have seduced Charlotte?’
‘It’s possible, I suppose. Guy has a reputation as a ladies’ man, and he’s not afraid to use his position, if you know what I mean.’ She shook her head. ‘I know Stuart always used to joke that he rarely saw the same woman on Guy’s arm more than twice, before the next one came along. They were always quite a bit younger than him, too.’
‘But you’d be surprised if Charlotte was having a relationship with him?’ Dan said.
‘Yes, under normal circumstances. But I know Charlotte was very low after what happened with Stuart. She likes people to think that she’s strong, but she’s actually quite vulnerable. She’s had quite a few problems, and I can understand how she might be exploited by someone she trusts. If Guy made the first move, she might have fallen for him.’