Deadly Lies Page 5

  After her swim, Sylvie took her time in the changing rooms and repeated the mantra she’d been telling herself the last few weeks – this was going to work out. The odds were stacked against her and yet she could turn it around and make it a success.

  As she brushed her hair by the mirrors, a sudden wave of nausea gripped Sylvie and she had to hold on to the edge of the sink. She feared she might actually vomit on the spot.

  ‘Are you all right?’ a woman asked. The woman came to stand behind and waited until Sylvie looked at her in the mirror. It made Sylvie want to shout at her because all she wanted was to be left alone.

  ‘Yes, I’m fine. I think I need a snack,’ Sylvie said.

  The woman’s eyes searched hers and Sylvie couldn’t help feeling the woman had guessed her secret. Go away, Sylvie thought, I don’t need your pity. I have a plan.

  8

  Three hours into the abduction and Grant needed to get moving on questioning the au pair and the business contacts and he was heading out when Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Fox arrived. He heard her distinctive loud voice barking at the constable at the door. Then came footsteps marching along the hallway. He went out to meet Fox and took her along to the kitchen, closing the door behind them.

  ‘Give me an update, Grant,’ she said crisply.

  To have arrived here so quickly, DCS Fox must have driven the three hours non-stop. Normally smart and efficient, or as Grant would describe her, uptight, Fox looked ragged. He hoped she already knew about Ronnie’s death.

  ‘Ma’am, I’m not sure if you’re aware but there’s been a tragedy involving Ronnie Hardman…’

  ‘I know about the fatal heart attack. Please bring me up to speed, that’s what I’m standing here waiting for.’

  Grant considered if he should offer Fox a coffee or a chair and decided against it because she’d already asked him twice to update her. Making her ask a third time would be unwise though on a different day with a different case, he might have been tempted – it was like poking a stick at a grouchy dog to make it bark and sometimes he simply couldn’t resist.

  ‘We’ve a blood trace at the Hardman house. Joan Hardman was bitten by the abductor and we’re checking for DNA traces in the wound. Nothing so far from town surveillance cameras. No obvious family enemies and, so far, we’ve had no contact from the abductor. Entry was not forced to the house so either the abductor had a key or the kitchen door was unlocked. And only a handful of people know the children’s routine of staying with the grandparents.’

  The superintendent ran her hand over her hair, though the gesture didn’t do much to calm the unruly strands. ‘You’ve kicked off the Child Rescue Alert? Photographs have been circulated to patrol and the public? And to transport police and the ports?’

  Of course he had. ‘Yes ma’am, an alert has gone out.’

  ‘I want a total news blackout on this one until we know what we’re up against.’

  ‘Agreed. The house-to-house has started and we’ve got two witnesses to the getaway car – Joan Hardman and a neighbour. Jack Glover gave me a list of three names and he told me none of them are likely.’

  ‘Everyone has enemies, you know that as well as I do. Where are we at on suspects?’

  ‘The au pair and the cleaner are top of our persons of interest list. McGowan is with the cleaner and I’ve got confirmation of the au pair’s details and I’m going there now.’

  Fox was clenching her hands. They had a prickly relationship which was mostly because Fox was new and ambitious and she didn’t want him to outshine her. In terms of age Grant was her senior and he always imagined Fox was worried he was after her job, which he wasn’t, because he was a man of action and he hated politics and bureaucracy. He didn’t go out of his way to rile DCS Fox though he didn’t always keep her updated. Being kept in the dark was something which drove her mad and usually made her rant and shout.

  ‘You’ve got a handle on it and fast action out of the gate was what we needed. I knew I could rely on you.’

  Now that was a first. A personal appreciation. Grant wasn’t sure why, but it made him feel suspicious.

  ‘You’re not going to like this…’ Fox said.

  His instincts kicked in. Didn’t he have enough to deal with tracking two little girls? What now?

  ‘…but I need to inform you Assistant Chief Constable Treadgold has taken an active interest in this case.’

  Grant couldn’t hide his surprise nor his anger. The son-of-a-.

  ACC Treadgold had been breathing over Grant’s shoulder ever since Grant accused Treadgold of corruption. The conflict between them started at a boy’s funeral at which Grant had cracked and confronted the ACC. Grant didn’t regret it. The only thing he regretted was not being able to prove Treadgold’s guilt in causing the boy’s death.

  ‘It’s part of Treadgold’s remit on tracking performance on abduction cases.’ Fox massaged her own neck, though she kept her eyes firmly on Grant. ‘I told you you wouldn’t like it.’

  ‘If he interferes I swear to God I’ll–’

  Fox held up her hand. ‘That’s enough. Keep your eye on the ball and let me deal with ACC Treadgold. Reading between the lines one thing’s clear – he’s looking for an excuse to make trouble for you.’

  Fox was aware of his suspicions regarding Treadgold. It seemed like Fox was on Grant’s side for once and he could do with someone watching his back. After Treadgold’s many years in the force and being bent for most of them, who knew how many allies Treadgold had in his pocket.

  ‘You found no evidence against him, Grant, which means we can’t take action.’

  Grant tried not to grit his teeth. ‘I know.’

  ‘Right, so I strongly suggest you don’t give him any ammunition to use against you. This case had better be run by the book,’ Fox said. ‘And I noticed you’ve drafted in our psychology expert and Ms Silver seems to be quite at home in the Glover lounge. Were you going to bother running that one by me first? Or did you decide to promote yourself in my absence?’

  Fox didn’t miss a trick. ‘Ma’am, I was just about to ask your permission.’

  Grant pushed Treadgold from his mind. There was only one thing which mattered and that was Emily and Lisa and he’d be damned if he’d allow a b-tard like the Assistant Chief Constable to throw him off his stride.

  He was halfway down the hallway when his phone buzzed. It was Delaney phoning to say they had a partial on the vehicle registration.

  ‘We were lucky,’ Delaney said. ‘One of the neighbours has insomnia. He woke early as he usually does and went to read downstairs because he doesn’t like to disturb his wife. He heard the getaway car and he got a glimpse. He said he knew from the speed it pulled away there was something wrong and he got the last three digits which were TMR.’

  ‘Fantastic work. Once you’ve covered the Hardmans’ street, leave the rest of the neighbourhood to the constables. Join Ruby here at the Glovers and begin a search of the children’s bedrooms.’

  Grant punched the air. At three hours in, it was a great hit. He just wished he could see Treadgold’s face once he found out.

  9

  It was lucky for Grant that Sylvie Delacourt had left her details with the au pair agency. The agency told him Sylvie was hoping to find a position with another family and this was proving difficult given the reason for her dismissal. In the meantime, Sylvie had found work in a coffee shop in the seaside town of Brighton. One quick call and Grant knew she would be coming in to work for the second half of the morning.

  Driving at the limit the whole way, it still took Grant an hour to arrive. The coffee shop had a nice view of the sea and the long shingle beach of Brighton. Grant took a few lungfuls of sea air. The clock was ticking and this trip had better be damn worth it. Time to find out what had really happened between Alice and Sylvie.

  Ordering a hot drink, he took a seat at the window. The place was filled with a wonderful aroma of pastries. Sylvie was easy to identify because he could
hear her Australian accent as she chatted to customers. An attractive young woman, Sylvie had a fair complexion, a smattering of freckles across her nose and long auburn hair styled into waves. She wore a chic knee-length dress.

  Grant called Sylvie over.

  ‘I’m Detective Chief Inspector Grant from Sussex Police. Please would you join me for a few minutes?’

  ‘My boss told me you were coming,’ Sylvie said. ‘I saw the terrible news about Emily and Lisa, it’s about them, isn’t it? I can’t stop for long though because I’m working and I’ve already had time off this morning.’

  Grant had come all this way because he wanted to see her reaction first-hand.

  ‘To start with, I need to ask where you were between two o’clock and four o’clock this morning.’

  She slid into a seat opposite Grant. ‘Am I in trouble?’

  ‘This is an informal interview because I need your help.’

  ‘Oh gosh, if I knew anything about the kids I’d have called the hotline. Let me think – at two o’clock I was fast asleep. I woke up at seven and I started work at eight.’

  ‘Do you live alone? Is there anyone who can corroborate this?’

  ‘I’ve a flatmate except she was asleep and she doesn’t even wake up when I take a shower so there’s no point talking to her.’

  It seemed Sylvie didn’t have an alibi and at that time of the morning for most persons of interest the same was going to be true.

  ‘Do you know anything which could help me find Emily and Lisa?’

  ‘How would I?’ Sylvie said, picking at a serviette. ‘I haven’t seen the children for months.’

  ‘When exactly was the last time you saw them?’

  Sylvie took out her phone and her hand was trembling as she swiped the screen. ‘Let me check, I can tell you exactly – fifteen weeks ago. Alice got rid of me just after the New Year holidays and whatever she told you is a lie – I didn’t leave the children alone. That was her excuse. She made it up so she could kick me out.’

  ‘Why would she do that?’

  ‘Alice is insecure and she imagines a lot of things. If you check with the agency you’ll find I’m not the first au pair she’s told to leave.’

  It was true and another reason he was here. The agency told Grant Alice Glover had sacked three out of six girls in the last few years. Sylvie had been the third failed placement and it was why that particular agency was no longer working with the Glover family. Which explained why the Glovers currently had no au pair.

  Grant stirred his coffee. ‘Yes, that’s what the agency told me. That’s a lot of insecurity on the part of Alice Glover. Care to fill me in?’

  ‘She’s the type of woman who gets jealous of younger women and I’m sure you can work out the rest yourself – a woman who’s losing her looks and a husband who attracts attention…’

  Grant raised an eyebrow. ‘And?’

  ‘Want me to spell it out? There was nothing going on between Jack and me except she thought there was.’

  ‘Why would she think it then?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, you’ll have to ask her yourself.’

  ‘I see,’ Grant said. ‘And what about Emily and Lisa. Can you tell me about the children? What are they like?’

  ‘They’re easy. Lisa is totally cute and adorable and she does as she’s told. Emily has more of her own opinions though deep down once she’s sussed you out she’s basically easy too. I enjoyed my work.’

  ‘Did they have a good relationship with the grandparents?’

  ‘Oh yes Lisa and Emily love their sleepovers with Mr and Mrs Hardman.’

  ‘Alice Glover suggested you were angry about the dismissal.’

  ‘Of course I was because it was unfair and I’d been there for six months working like crazy for that family with hardly any time off. I’ve never met such a stupid, vain, suspicious woman as Alice Glover. If she can’t stand younger women then why hire an au pair? Alice couldn’t wait to get rid of me, slinging accusations left, right and centre when she’s the one who isn’t fit to be alone with her own children. I bet she didn’t tell you about that, did she?’

  ‘Perhaps you can fill me in.’

  ‘Sure I can.’ Sylvie leant forward. ‘Lisa had to be rushed to hospital to have seven inch-long spines removed from her leg. Why? Because Alice left her alone in the stupid hothouse with the butt-ugly giant cactus. Alice was on the phone in another room and Lisa fell onto one of those prickly fuckers. She could easily have been much more seriously injured. And Alice has the nerve to call me irresponsible? She’s the one who’s a bad mother. That’s not the only accident either. The outgoing au pair told me Lisa almost drowned in the bath when Alice was supposed to be looking after her.’

  ‘I see,’ Grant said.

  ‘Yeah and not even Alice’s friends know the real details because Jack and Alice keep it secret. Jack knows she’s not a fit mother. They had a huge row about the cactus incident, both screaming at each other and hurling abuse.’

  Was this the reason for the conflict between the Glovers? And could there be any link to the abduction?

  ‘Did you have a reason to come to Brighton? It’s a bit of a way from Himlands Heath, isn’t it? Though this is a nice place.’ Grant glanced around at the décor of the café. It was very Brighton – with a hippy vibe.

  ‘You’re exaggerating aren’t you because I’d say this is a bit of a dump.’ Sylvie shrugged. ‘At least it’s a job and I was lucky to get it. As for why Brighton? Simply because I had more chance of work here. It’s much larger than Himlands Heath. Besides, I like the sea.’

  ‘Jack told me you have plans for setting up your own business.’

  ‘Had – with no finance, no job and nowhere to live it all went on hold. Still, I have my dreams and I’ve got ideas and I haven’t given up yet even if Alice got the knife in. If you must know I was thinking of setting up my own au pair agency.’

  ‘That’s a big idea.’

  ‘And why not? I know I can do it, all I need is a loan to get started. I want to set it up online where families interview candidates via the internet and I’d ask girls to post video snippets to present themselves and the families can do the same. I’d start small and grow as I go. I think I could build a reputation and work my way in.’

  Sylvie was getting fidgety and she kept glancing towards her boss behind the counter. Perhaps she was worried about being told off? Grant didn’t think so. He’d already got permission to speak to Sylvie and the manager had been fine about it. No, Grant was betting there was something else on Sylvie’s mind. She wanted to get away from him. The question was, why?

  Sylvie had lived with the Glovers which meant she’d been an insider. What did Sylvie know? Perhaps there was a reason for Alice to feel insecure? But if there had been something between Sylvie and Jack, how could it be connected to the abduction?

  Every detective had their own strategy for questioning persons of interest. Grant’s favourite was squeezing people like a lemon except he knew going in hard would make Sylvie clam up. She was independent and strong-minded and she’d already denied a relationship with Jack. Besides, Sylvie wasn’t underage, so that was her business.

  ‘We’re working on all possible angles,’ Grant said. ‘The more time passes, the greater the danger for Emily and Lisa. If anything comes to mind, anything at all which might help, please contact us straight away.’ He passed Sylvie his card.

  ‘I liked those children a lot. Sure, I was disappointed about how I was treated but like the rest of the country, I want to help find them. If I think of anything I’ll call.’

  On his way back, Grant contacted DCS Fox.

  ‘A quick update for you, ma’am. The au pair stays as a person of interest.’

  ‘You’re not striking her off the list?’

  ‘No.’

  He could hear Fox musing this over. ‘Nothing to move her further into the frame?’

  ‘Not yet, but I have my doubts which means I’m not ruling her out. Sylvi
e Delacourt is resourceful. She’s come all the way from Australia. She was thrown out of the Glovers and without knowing anyone she’s found herself a new job in a new town. The agency told me she came on a youth visa so she has no recourse to public funds and they said she refused financial support from her family.’

  ‘She sounds like a strong-willed young woman. And?’

  ‘I’d say the chances of her having a close relationship with Jack Glover are pretty high, based on Jack’s behaviour as well as Sylvie’s. It doesn’t mean the two of them were necessarily intimate. Maybe they got on well and it may have been enough to give Alice grounds for suspicion.’

  And if this was true, the big question for Grant was why would Sylvie feel the need to conceal it? It made Grant take notice and meant he’d come away with more questions than answers.

  ‘We’ll be running full checks on Ms Delacourt.’

  ‘Understood.’

  Grant rubbed the back of his neck. It would soon be ten o’clock. Eight hours since the children were taken and he was still fighting to find a chink in the perpetrator’s armour.

  10

  Tom pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sat opposite Ruby. There was a great view through to the side of the conservatory and if he closed one eye it made it look like they’d been transported to some exotic location. If only. Tom loved Himlands Heath except sometimes it was so bleak and damp. What he wouldn’t give to be lying on a sun-drenched beach with Ruby by his side, as she asked him to pass the sun cream, or better still, asked him to lather some on her…

  He stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders. ‘It’s coming up to ten o’clock. The children have been missing for eight hours.’

  They were taking a break from the tense atmosphere in the lounge.

  Ruby tucked a dark twist of hair behind her ear. Tom tried not to stare at her lips as she sipped from her glass. Today she was solemn, though he knew Ruby could be fierce. It was all hidden underneath a cool exterior. He’d seen her on the climbing wall, and seen the passion flowing out of her, and he wondered if one day he’d ever be able to unlock that and have it coming towards him.