Deadly Lies Read online

  Mrs Branson suddenly arrived in the back room. It was amazing how the woman could move so stealthily, always trying to catch Maria out.

  ‘You got around to finishing at last?’

  Mrs Branson had kept Maria beyond her going home time, which wasn’t unusual. Sometimes she forced Maria to miss half her lunch hour too.

  Maria nodded.

  ‘See you tomorrow then,’ Mrs Branson said. ‘Unfortunately.’

  Unfortunately for me too, you miserable bitch, Maria thought. Of course, she would never dare to say it out loud.

  Stepping into the shopping centre, Maria breathed a sigh of relief. It was well past closing time and the mall was quiet. The metal shutter of the boutique came clattering down behind her.

  Maria was dreaming of a hot bath and soaking away the aches and the bullying, when she saw him. He was slouched against the wall with his hands in his pockets. He had the same cocky expression he always had, though she could see the years in prison had given him a kick in the guts.

  ‘Aren’t you going to give me a kiss?’ he said.

  ‘When did you get out?’

  ‘A while ago. They let me out early for good behaviour.’

  He fell into step beside her.

  ‘Long time no see,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah. Can I crash at yours? Only for a couple of nights. I’ve got cash and plenty of it.’

  ‘How come?’

  ‘It was owing to me,’ he said.

  She knew there’d been a story behind how he got caught and she wondered how the money fitted in.

  ‘Come on, Maria, I can pay my way.’

  She knew it wasn’t a good idea. When she’d first met him she’d been fourteen. He’d taken her in when her mother, and her mother’s new boyfriend, had booted her out.

  Then he’d gone to prison and she’d spent the last six years trying to put together a life and battling to get clean of the cocaine he’d introduced her to.

  When he was convicted she’d been totally reliant on him and had been living at his place, doing the cooking and the cleaning and the sexual favours he asked for, as well as hosting parties for his criminal buddies. It was amazing how, at one time, she’d found him attractive. Now she’d rather not look at his face. He was bad news.

  Yet he wasn’t the sort of man it was wise to say no to.

  When he was convicted, the flat the two of them lived in had been repossessed and Maria had been reduced to begging on the street, stealing and lying and almost ending up working for a pimp to fund her drug habit. Then came a string of arrests and an ongoing tussle with the criminal justice system. She finally accepted the long struggle to get, and stay, clean. Four years ago, and with the help of her probation officer, she landed her first job. It had got her back on the rails.

  It had been a long haul. Now Maria had a place of her own – only two shitty rooms with a dirty kitchen but she could scrape together the rent. Every day of the last six years had been hard and she’d kept promising herself one day it would get easier. Unfortunately, the fashion boutique wasn’t turning out well thanks to the manager.

  And then – bam—this guy from her past turned up again.

  ‘If you’ve got money then how come you’re here?’ she said.

  ‘I missed you and besides, I need your help. Won’t you do a favour for an old friend?’

  He put his hand in his pocket and showed her a small packet of white powder. ‘I can make it worth your while.’

  And that’s when Maria’s fight for a new life started draining away.

  21

  Six months ago – Maria’s story

  Maria brushed her long dark hair and she stared at herself in the changing room mirror. She could hardly believe how her life had improved. He’d got them a lovely place in Brighton and he’d given her money to buy new clothes and shoes. They had a whole terraced house with three bedrooms and two floors. He certainly had cash and she didn’t want to ask how. The house was in a nice area of Brighton called Seven Dials and about thirty minutes’ walk from the sea.

  He was spending a lot of time out and Maria didn’t care. Every day she strolled along the promenade with the wind in her hair. She ate ice cream and paddled in the freezing waves. She’d not bothered to call the boutique to lie about being sick. Likely she’d lost her job, Mrs Branson would have seen to it by now and Maria didn’t give a shit.

  Besides, he’d told Maria he had big plans for them both, though he hadn’t yet told her what.

  He’d set Maria a task. He wanted her to befriend a young woman called Sylvie Delacourt. When Maria asked why, he’d told her to wait and see. Sylvie worked as an au pair and she had a membership of a gym in Himlands Heath. For the last few days, Maria had been hanging out at the gym. She needed to bump into Sylvie and engineer a chance to strike up a friendship.

  Tying back her hair, Maria shoved her clothes into a locker and slammed it shut. On her way in, she’d spotted Sylvie on the running machine. Now was her chance.

  Sylvie was about the same age as Maria, mid-twenties. At the running machine, Maria chatted and made sure Sylvie liked her and the two of them became friends. With her easy-going Australian manner, Sylvie was fun to be around.

  Four weeks later and Maria often had to remind herself they’d only met by design. Going out together was a pleasure and it was easy to forget she was doing it for a purpose.

  Sylvie had bags of something which Maria never had much of – confidence. When she was around Sylvie, some of it wore off on Maria and Maria found herself looking forward to their meetings. She blotted out the fact he always wanted a report and quizzed her endlessly on everything Sylvie told her. Today, he’d told her to get an invite to the house where Sylvie worked.

  ‘How’s it going with the Glovers?’ Maria asked.

  They were in a café on Himlands Heath high street. Sylvie was biting into a pitta bread stuffed with salad.

  ‘The usual. The kids are great and Alice is demanding. She’s taken the children out for the afternoon, some birthday party, so let’s hope one of them doesn’t come back with bodily injuries they got while their mother was busy knocking back the cocktails.’

  Maria got a waft of garlic as her friend laughed. A blob of sauce fell from Sylvie’s food and landed with a plop on her jeans. Sylvie scooped it up with a finger and laughed again. Sylvie always seemed to find a lot in life which was funny.

  ‘It’s a shame you’re not allowed guests. I’d like to see it,’ Maria said.

  ‘See what? The house? Of course you can, I never said I couldn’t bring back friends. What gave you that idea?’

  ‘I imagined they’d want to keep their home private.’

  ‘I’ve got my own room and bathroom and I get to use the kitchen. After we’ve finished lunch I’ll take you there and you can gawp all you like. I’ll even show you Alice’s knickers – they’re vile.’

  An hour later and they were in hysterics after rummaging in Alice’s underwear drawer.

  ‘Even my granny doesn’t wear giant ones like these,’ Sylvie guffawed.

  ‘We’d better get out of here before someone catches us,’ Maria said.

  ‘Hey, chill out. There’s no one around except maybe Jack and he won’t care. He likes me.’

  Maria was supposed to be finding out about the Glovers and their routine and the children’s routine. She made mental notes because he’d want to write it all down once she got back.

  ‘It’s a lovely house,’ Maria said. ‘And so big.’

  ‘Alice and Jack are rolling in money only don’t think it makes them happy because it doesn’t. They haven’t done it since Lisa was born, can you imagine? And it makes Alice strung out. If you ask me she’s desperate for it.’

  ‘How’d you know?’

  ‘I’ve got my means.’

  ‘Did her husband tell you?’

  Sylvie, who usually liked to gossip, wouldn’t say more. Which made it even more intriguing when, half an hour later, Jack Glover walked in on the
m in the kitchen. Maria noticed how Sylvie quickly crossed her legs to show a lot of thigh under her short skirt. She saw too how Jack’s eyes lingered on Sylvie and then landed on her.

  Jack’s gaze had a weird effect on Maria. The lust seemed to ooze out of him, and Maria, who had never once in her life been told she was attractive, had to choke back a nervous giggle. She was glad she’d worn a tight top.

  ‘Good afternoon, ladies, what have you been up to?’ Jack had a deep sexy voice.

  Sylvie had the gift of a silver tongue and she soon had Jack hanging on her every word and drinking her in with those lascivious eyes of his and Maria couldn’t help feeling envious.

  22

  Grant wanted to interview the Glover’s neighbour, Natalie, and he asked Tom to accompany him. When Tom asked why Natalie was the next priority, Grant grunted.

  ‘She’s sticking to Jack and Alice like glue, you caught her and Jack intimate in the kitchen, that’s more than enough to put her on the radar. There’s something about her behaviour which is more than being a good neighbour, isn’t there? I want to find out how far it goes.’

  Tom enjoyed working alongside the boss. When it was just the two of them, Grant passed on tips and coached Tom how to handle situations. Tom appreciated it and each night he recorded Grant’s ideas. Tom wanted to soak it all up before Grant decided to retire.

  Knocking on Natalie’s door, they waited. When he was first recruited to the team, Tom had been in such awe of Grant he’d sometimes found it difficult to function. These days the feeling had faded, and was replaced by respect.

  When Natalie answered, she was wearing a dress with a revealing top line and Tom made sure his gaze didn’t dip.

  ‘Oh, Detective Sergeant,’ Natalie said. ‘I didn’t realise you’d be bringing someone with you.’

  ‘I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear when I set up the appointment,’ Tom said. ‘You remember Detective Chief Inspector Grant.’

  Grant shook Natalie’s hand. ‘Good morning, ma’am. May we come in?’

  ‘Of course and please tell me there’s good news.’

  ‘Nothing so far.’

  ‘Oh God.’

  They followed Natalie to a lounge furnished in golden upholstered chairs and giant sofas. There was a gold-themed carpet and pale gold curtains and all the fittings were gold coloured. The room had a pervasive scent of potpourri and two giant glass bowls of what looked like dead petals and flower heads were displayed on the mantelpiece. The overall effect was over the top.

  Natalie hitched herself back on a chair, revealing quite a lot of thigh. Did she do it deliberately? Or was it a mistake? Tom couldn’t help feeling she was flirting with him.

  ‘How can I help you?’

  While Grant questioned Natalie about her friendship with the Glovers, Tom listened carefully. The woman was impeccably made-up, with not a sleek dark hair out of place. Her dress looked expensive and she had a polished air about her.

  Natalie told them she and her husband, Sanjay, had moved in a few months after Alice and Jack, and she and Alice had quickly become friends. At that time, Alice worked at Hardman Construction and she gave up her job several months later once she had Emily. Natalie worked part-time as an interior designer and she ran her business from home, so the two women often saw each other during the day.

  ‘And is your husband working?’ Grant asked.

  ‘Sanjay’s in banking,’ Natalie said.

  Grant nodded. ‘Could you tell me a little more about the relationship between you and Jack? Is it purely platonic?’

  Natalie glanced at Tom and she flicked back her hair. ‘I suppose your sergeant told you he caught me and Jack…’

  ‘In a compromising position?’ Grant suggested.

  ‘It’s complicated.’

  ‘Is it. And does Mrs Glover know about this?’

  ‘I don’t know if Alice suspects or not, look, it wasn’t something I wanted to happen. You can’t decide who you fall for and Jack and I are madly in love.’

  Natalie studied her manicured nails and gave the inspector a challenging look.

  ‘And what about your husband?’

  ‘Sanjay and I are finished. If you must know we’ve been seeing a marriage guidance counsellor, only it made it worse and a few months ago Sanjay told me he wanted out. We’ve been under a lot of stress the last few years because we desperately wanted to have children and it kept not happening. I got tested. Sanjay got tested. We’ve tried IVF treatments and they haven’t worked. You name it we’ve tried it, and it’s exhausting and depressing.’

  Tom wondered what it must have been like to see Alice give birth to Emily and Lisa. Had Natalie struggled seeing her friend with new babies?

  ‘It’s been horrible and now we’re at the end of a difficult road and Sanjay has filed for divorce. He kept telling me I was ruining everything. He called my desire for children an obsession. Sanjay believes I destroyed our marriage.’

  Natalie took a deep breath and sighed. ‘Sanjay never understood why I couldn’t be content. I can’t explain and I can’t control it. Every waking moment I yearn to have a baby. I don’t think any man can ever understand.’

  ‘Right.’ Grant took out his phone and swiped at the screen. ‘Can you tell me if you recognise this?’

  He handed it across and Tom watched Natalie’s face as she stared at the camisole.

  ‘It’s lingerie,’ she said.

  ‘I’m trying to find out who it belongs to,’ Grant said.

  ‘It’s not mine if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s too small and I don’t like red, I prefer hot pink.’

  Tom ignored the flirtatious look she shot his way. Was Natalie in the frame? Natalie wanted a baby, but wanting a baby was different from wanting someone else’s children. She was entangled with Jack and her marriage had failed but did it give her motive or means?

  Grant was frowning. ‘Do you have an alibi for the night of the children’s abduction?’

  Natalie tossed her head and she was about to answer when Tom heard rapid footsteps along the front path. Out the window, one of the constables came running. His mind shot back to the pyjama leg and Alice in pieces. Oh no, what now?

  He and Grant ran to the door.

  ‘What’s happened?’ Grant asked.

  ‘DCI Grant, sir,’ the constable said, ‘the abductor has made contact.’

  They sprinted over to the Glover’s house. Alice was standing at the back of the lounge by the technicians, clutching at her phone like she might break the plastic. Tom thought she looked terribly vulnerable and Grant guided her to a chair.

  Jack was standing so close to the technicians, Tom marvelled at how the techs still worked calmly. Jack looked stricken.

  ‘Someone fill me in,’ Grant said crisply.

  Ruby was sitting by her laptop. Neither Ruby, the uniformed officers, nor the technicians answered, because Grant had first given each of them a look which made it clear he wanted them to keep quiet. He wanted to hear it from the family. Joan Hardman was the first to pull herself together.

  ‘It was Emily. She called to speak to her mother and she was reading a message. We have to get half a million pounds ready to exchange for the children. It’s good news, isn’t it? It means the children are still…’ Joan started crying, ‘…still alive.’

  ‘You recorded the call?’ Grant asked the technicians. ‘I need to hear it.’

  Joan pulled her daughter into a hug. Jack hadn’t moved from a few inches behind the technicians.

  ‘Are you all right, sir?’ Tom asked.

  One of the technicians tapped at a keyboard and then Emily’s voice was coming through the speaker.

  Mummy, it’s Emily. You’re not allowed to interrupt you have to listen. Here are the demands – you have to have half a million pounds in cash ready. The Child Alert must be called off. If you don’t comply I will kill both your children. I’ll phone again with some in… instructions for the exchange. Then came Alice’s voice. Emily, darling, are you al
– Then the line went dead.

  ‘She was trying to be brave,’ Alice said. ‘I can hear it in her voice. Oh Jack.’

  ‘We’ve got the money, Inspector,’ Joan said. ‘I’ll ask my bank manager to get it prepared straight away.’

  The call was much too short to be of any use in tracing it and the abductor had been clever to not allow their own voice to be recorded so they would not be able to use voice recognition software to help with identification.

  ‘He wants to do an exchange. That’s a positive thing, isn’t it, DCI Grant?’ Jack said. His voice had a pleading edge to it.

  ‘The abductor making contact is a good sign,’ Grant said, ‘and we must do all we can to keep communication going. The next time contact is made, I want you to ask for proof of life for Lisa and Emily. You must say you want a video.’

  ‘Wh-what? You mean this might have been a recording? I hadn’t thought of that.’ Jack gulped and Alice tugged at her hair.

  ‘We don’t know if it’s a recording or not,’ Grant said firmly. ‘Like I told you before, you have to keep positive. Do not give in to despair. For the next time, I’ll write down what I’d like you to say so you can be prepared.’

  When Jack made to speak for his wife, Alice quickly cut in.

  ‘Grant was talking to me, not you. Yes, I’ll do whatever you ask, Inspector.’

  Tom knew Alice was worried Grant would prefer dealing with Jack and leave her out of the loop, especially if there was bad news. She’d spoken to Tom about it and Tom had assured Alice that would not happen. In a way, he was glad the call had been made to the mother because it might help calm her fears about being sidelined.

  ‘Get this straight to the technical team at headquarters,’ Grant ordered. ‘I want every detail analysed.’

  Maybe there would be background sounds to give indication about location and any video footage they received later would undergo the same analysis for clues – it was a long shot but you never knew.

  Joan was on her phone, speaking to someone about organising the funds. They listened to Emily’s message again and Grant took Tom aside.