Little Girl Gone

At least Ray hadn’t blamed her yet. He had to be thinking it behind those dark brooding eyes of his; however he hadn’t uttered the words, and she appreciated that. Carrying the guilt was hard enough, and having him to share the burden was a blessing. She wished he was sitting in the car with her now, but Ray wasn’t someone who could just sit on the sidelines and watch the game unfold. Especially not where Carol-Anne was concerned. He needed to be involved, even though he would probably be assigned to other duties as the full investigation launched. For now, at least, his DI was allowing him to observe.

The driver’s door opening snapped her back to reality. The woman who took the seat was older than Alex, and with a slender frame and taut shoulders, she carried a confidence suited to her role.

‘Alex? I’m Detective Inspector Serena Trent,’ the woman said, extending her hand. ‘I’ve read the statement you gave earlier, and I’m hoping you can clarify a few points for me.’

Alex nodded, her pulse already quickening.

‘In the statement you said you had to wait for that particular space?’

Alex nodded again, terrified that the detective could read her mind.

‘Did you speak to the woman whose space you took?’

Alex coughed, and when she spoke sounded croaky. ‘Briefly, just to check she was leaving.’

‘And can you describe what this woman looked like?’

Alex frowned. ‘I don’t remember.’

‘Hair colour? Eye colour?’

The only thing she could remember was that bright yellow umbrella. She wasn’t even sure they’d spoken anymore.

‘Did she have any other distinguishing features? Glasses, distinctive nose, anything like that?’

Alex stared blankly back at her, too exhausted to cry again.

‘Can you remember the make and model of her car? Or any part of the registration plate?’

Alex watched DI Trent. Was she being serious? Did she really think the woman with the yellow umbrella had taken Carol-Anne? Was that even possible? Alex had seen the SUV pull away, but had it actually exited the car park? What did Trent know that she didn’t?

‘Alex? I said, can you remember the make or model of the car?’ Trent repeated.

Alex shook her head, staring down at her hands as they scratched at the scars on her wrists.

‘Given the proximity of her departure and your dash to the ticket machine, she could be a potential witness. It would be good if we can identify her in case she saw anyone strange hanging about the place.’

Alex raised her head, considering the woman before her, in whom she was expected to put all her trust. Ray had mentioned Trent’s name in passing, although he’d never said how attractive she was. The skin around her eyes wasn’t as smooth as her neck, and she didn’t look as old as Alex was certain she was. Her face bore little by way of make-up, and her bleached hair seemed to hang effortlessly, without need of grips or spray.

‘I’m sorry,’ Alex eventually said.

Trent narrowed her eyes. ‘And there was a second woman you interacted with too?’

Alex blushed at the memory.

‘In your statement you said you thought she might have taken your daughter,’ Trent encouraged.

‘I thought I heard Carol-Anne’s voice.’

Trent watched her in silence for a moment. ‘I’m going to apologize in advance for my next question, but I need to know, Alex, have you taken any pills or consumed any alcohol today?’

Alex ground her teeth, her nails scratching feverishly. ‘No.’

‘Are you taking any medication, prescribed or otherwise?’

How could she know about that? Surely Ray hadn’t told his boss what they had been through this past year? If he had, it would explain why Trent was looking at her so strangely.

Trent ran a hand over her face, as if wiping away the guilt of having to ask the question. ‘It’s a strange case for me to be involved with – knowing Ray so well – and vicariously knowing you through his eyes.’

The hairs on the back of Alex’s neck tingled. ‘What’s he said?’

Trent raised her hands in a calming gesture. ‘Nothing bad. As his superior I’m obviously aware of what you both went through a few months ago, and—’

‘My miscarriage has nothing to do with this.’

‘I’m not saying it has, Alex, I just meant I know the pressure the two of you have been under, and stress can do strange things; the mind can play tricks.’

‘I didn’t imagine this! Someone took my daughter.’ For the first time Alex wanted to believe the words, even if Trent would take more convincing.

‘Our Scene of Crime specialists have been searching for forensics in and around your car, and so far they’ve not found anything to suggest anybody else had access to the car. The only prints on the rear door handle are a match to your own, presumably created fresh today when you put Carol-Anne in the back of the car. What’s also odd is they’ve found no loose hairs anywhere in the back of the car; has it been cleaned recently?’

It had been at the garage for a service yesterday, but what did that have to do with this?

‘Do you keep a spare key for the vehicle at home?’ Trent continued.

Alex nodded.

‘Does anyone else have access to your home who might have used the key to get to Carol-Anne in the back?’

‘I unlocked the car when the alarm went off.’

Trent smiled thinly. ‘We have to consider the possibility that whoever took your daughter came here with that intention. We have to investigate every possibility. Where do you keep the spare key?’

‘It’s in a drawer in our bedroom.’

‘Have you had any friends or family around socially recently? Or do you have a cleaner or regular babysitter who’s been in your home?’

Alex couldn’t think of a single friend or relative who would deliberately take Carol-Anne. ‘No.’

‘And when did you last check the key was there?’

Alex opened her mouth to speak. She had no idea when she’d last seen the spare key. It wasn’t something that had ever crossed her mind. It was just there. In the unlikely event she ever lost her keys or somehow locked them in the car, she would know where to find the spare.

‘I’m sure it was there when I last checked.’

‘Which was when?’

Alex shrugged. ‘I don’t remember. Only Ray and I have access to our home.’

‘I’m just doing my job, Alex. I need to establish the facts if I’m to investigate what really happened here. I don’t mean to be blunt, but the sooner we cut through the bullshit, the better it’ll be for Carol-Anne.’

Alex looked away as she felt the sting of tears at the corners of her eyes.

‘I want you to give me a list of guests – friends, colleagues, and strangers – who may have visited your home in the last month.’

Alex felt embarrassed that the list of names could be counted on one hand with fingers to spare.

Trent sighed. ‘I’m going to assign one of my best Family Liaison Officers to stay with you and Ray for the next few days. She’s experienced in dealing with family traumas and will be able to keep you informed of progress on the investigation. Do you have space at home where she can stay?’

The thought of a stranger in her house filled Alex with dread, but she nodded regardless. As the darkness continued to envelope the horizon, she was certain Carol-Anne was still alive, and very much in danger. If having someone in her home would keep her up to date with what was going on, that’s what she would do.

6

Ray watched as Trent exited the patrol car and headed over to the Crime Scene Manager. Alex was staring at him from the back of the car, and although he could see the pain in her eyes, he turned away.

She needed comfort and support, but he didn’t trust himself to provide it. Maybe once upon a time it would have been easier, but not anymore. He wanted to reassure her: to tell her that he wouldn’t rest until Carol-Anne was back safe and sound. He knew if he went over there now and tried to empathize, he would allow his own anxiety and terror to seep through the cracks in his armour, and then he would be no good to anyone.

He had to remain strong for Carol-Anne, and if that was at the expense of Alex’s delicate emotions then so be it. He didn’t want to turn his back, but he didn’t have enough strength for both of them. Carol-Anne was his priority, and getting her home safe his only objective.

‘Can I have a cigarette?’ he asked, as DC Owen Hargrove approached.

Owen reached for the packet and opened the lid. ‘Thought you quit.’

Ray drew a cigarette from the packet and placed it between his lips. ‘I did.’ He leaned in as Owen held the lighter forward.

Taking a deep drag, Ray had forgotten how toxic that first inhale tasted. Like a mixture of antiseptic and faeces. He quickly exhaled and took a second pull, the endorphins beginning to bubble somewhere in his head. ‘Thanks.’

Owen squashed the lighter into the carton, and handed it to Ray. ‘Keep them. I get the impression that won’t be your last.’

Owen was giving him that look, a mixture of pity and relief that he wasn’t the one suffering the pain. Ray knew the look as he’d offered it to victims of crime on so many occasions, yet he’d never realized how tough it was to face. He could feel the lump growing in his throat, and took another drag on the cigarette. There would be a time for him to deal with the toll of the emotion and stress of the situation. Not yet.

Ray nodded his thanks. ‘Where are we with locating local security camera footage?’

‘No street cameras in the local area, and considering where the car park is – off a residential street – there are no local businesses with cameras pointed in this direction.’

‘What about that one?’ Ray asked, pointing at the tall pole directly behind the car park that he’d spotted on arrival.

Owen’s face contorted. ‘It points directly at the ticket machine, and the cars in the immediate vicinity, though that’s only about five or so of them. It was set up to capture anyone trying to steal from the machine. And the footage isn’t great. It isn’t a live stream, rather still images captured every ten seconds.’

‘Have you watched it?’

Owen nodded. ‘Alex can be seen approaching the machine, then leaving the shot, which is presumably when she turned the alarm off, and then returning to purchase her ticket.’

‘At least that proves she isn’t lying about what happened.’ He inhaled deeply, welcoming the burn in his throat. ‘And there are no cars or people seen entering or leaving the car park in that time?’

Owen shook his head. ‘It’s as good as useless, mate. It isn’t even in colour. I think the owners must have put it up more as a deterrent than to actually serve a purpose.’

‘Can I see it?’

‘Trent has instructed us not to share any information with you, unless she clears it first. You know how it is.’

Ray fixed him with a look, forcing eye contact. ‘Come on, Owen, what harm can viewing the footage do? Please?’

Owen returned the look, before finally relenting. ‘Okay, but it stays between the two of us. Trent can be a Rottweiler and I don’t want her on my arse.’

Ray remained where he was while Owen moved across to one of the SOCO team vans, returning a moment later with an iPad, holding it to his chest, and standing directly in front of Ray so nobody would see what they were doing.

Tapping the screen, Ray watched as Alex came into view, the shot captured at 14:47:20. She could be seen studying the sign above the machine, calculating how much she would need to pay. In the next image, Alex could be seen staring back at the vehicle, before disappearing in the next shot, as Owen had described, and then returning at 14:47:50. At 14:48:40, Alex was facing the car, and at 14:48:50, she was out of shot.

‘I want to watch it again,’ Ray said, discarding the cigarette and squashing it under foot.

‘Why?’ Owen asked. ‘I’ve watched it a dozen times, and there is nothing going on in the background. Just Alex and the machine.’

Ray glared until Owen tapped it again and the first shot appeared on the screen. The grainy image wasn’t ideal; and it was only because they knew the figure to be Alex that they could actually be certain it was her. Even if another figure had appeared in the background, there was no way they’d be able to identify who it was.

‘A two-minute window,’ Ray concluded when the footage once again stopped.

‘How do you figure that?’

‘At 14:47:20 she is looking at the machine, and she isn’t heading back to the car until 14:48:50.’

‘Yeah, but she moves away to switch off the alarm at 14:47:40, and is staring at the car a minute later, leaving a fifty-second window at best.’

‘Not if the culprit was already ducking down behind the car when Alex left. Let’s say for a moment that whoever took Carol-Anne had it all planned. Somehow they knew Alex would be here and would leave Carol-Anne in the car. It’s what, a twenty to thirty second walk to the machine from where she’s parked? Which would mean she first turned her back on the car at 14:46:50. If the culprit opened the door, and pulled Carol-Anne out, they could have been well away by the time Alex first turns back to look at the car at 14:47:30. Even if they were still crouching down by the car at that point, there’s still another minute to get away.’

‘And go where? Alex didn’t see anyone.’

‘Another vehicle more than likely. She didn’t look in every car. What if the perpetrator was already in the car park waiting for Alex to arrive? He or she could have returned to their car and waited until Alex wasn’t looking again, then driven off.’

‘You’re basing this on no evidence whatsoever.’

‘It’s like a magician’s trick: smoke and mirrors. With the heavy rain, condensation on the windscreen, a car park packed full of cars, and a mother under extreme stress, it’s the only explanation that fits.’

‘It doesn’t narrow down who took her or why.’ Owen quickly apologized for the remark, having briefly forgotten how involved Ray was. ‘I’d better get the iPad back to the van before anyone realizes it’s missing.’ Owen paused and squeezed Ray’s arm. ‘We’ll get her back, mate. You have to let us do what we do best.’

Ray wasn’t listening, his imagination already working through a list of suspects who would want to see him suffer such cruelty. He’d locked up his fair share of villains over the years, but none who would devise a revenge as complex as snatching a child from an open car park. Yet what else did that leave?

For now he needed answers from the only witness at the scene. Making his way to the patrol car, he climbed into the back, unable to bring himself to meet Alex’s eyes.

‘You said you looked away for thirty seconds at most.’

The confusion on Alex’s face revealed she hadn’t been expecting this to be his opening gambit. ‘It’s true.’

Ray shook his head, hating himself, yet unable to stop the words leaving his lips. ‘Thirty seconds from the car to the machine without looking at the car. Then twenty seconds initially until the alarm sounds, and then another fifty seconds buying your ticket. Almost two minutes where you weren’t watching our daughter.’

‘No, Ray, it couldn’t have been that long—’

‘I’ve seen the security footage! How could you be so reckless, Alex?’ He still couldn’t meet her gaze as he uttered the words, feeling her pain as much as his own.

‘I-I-I,’ she began, unable to string together the words needed to explain her actions.

‘I’m going to have you driven home,’ he continued, not prepared to listen to anything more she had to say; at least not yet. The pain burned deep in his chest, and to remain in her presence would only lead him to say something he would later regret.

‘I see you’re smoking again,’ she said bitterly, as if trying to strike back.

It was like waving a red rag at a bull. Turning, he glared at her, pointing his finger just inches from her face. ‘You have no right to judge me for anything right now.’

And with that, he climbed out, wanting to hug his wife and tell her everything would be okay, and equally wanting to berate her for losing their daughter. Lighting a second cigarette, he stalked off into the darkness.

7

‘I don’t want to go home,’ Alex growled as Owen watched her from the front of the car. ‘Let me help search for her. I’m her mother, and she needs me.’

It wasn’t Owen’s fault, he’d been told to drive her home. As far as DI Trent was concerned, they’d taken and questioned Alex’s statement, and now she was just getting in the way of their investigation.

‘Someone will call as soon as there is any news,’ Owen tried to reason, but calming highly strung women clearly wasn’t one of his strengths.

‘Wherever she is, she’ll be frightened because I’m not there. She’s never spent a night without me nearby. Even when Ray puts her to bed, I still kiss her goodnight. There hasn’t been a single night when I haven’t held her close and kissed her.’ She didn’t like the look of pity shrouding the young detective’s face.

‘What about a public appeal?’ she blurted. ‘You could put her picture on the news and tell everyone in the city to look out for her. Or the radio? Maybe I could speak to the local radio and put her description out there. Maybe someone would come forward and say they’ve seen her.’

She couldn’t keep the desperation from her voice, nor could she sit idly by and wallow anymore. A time for grieving might come eventually, but while she could still feel CarolAnne’s life force, she would keep fighting.

She was fighting a losing battle as far as Owen was concerned, though. His DI had ordered him to drive Alex home and no amount of reasoning or valid arguments would deflect him from that course of action.

‘Can I get you anything?’ Owen asked, as he pulled into the driveway and killed the engine.

Alex didn’t answer, instead staring out the window at the big brick building that had never looked so alien to her. If it wasn’t for a slight recognition, she would have said he’d brought her to somebody else’s house. With no lights on, and the curtains open, the building looked unloved and abandoned. Hadn’t it been a loving home? Carol-Anne had known she was loved by both her parents, right?

‘I could pick up a takeaway for you,’ Owen continued, watching her from the mirror. ‘Or if you need me to go to the shop, then—’

‘Thanks, I’ll be fine,’ Alex replied, avoiding eye contact. She was determined not to cry in front of him. The rest of the journey home had been filled with awkward silence; awkward because she didn’t feel like engaging, and he clearly hadn’t known what to say to someone experiencing a living grief.

She clamped her eyes shut as her fingers brushed against the door handle, but they refused to coil around it, her body fighting against going in and her worst fears being realized. Even though Ray had already confirmed Carol-Anne wasn’t at home, to see it with her own eyes would be to finally admit that her daughter was gone, maybe never to return, and the weight of that would crush her soul.

‘Is there anybody I can call to be with you?’ Owen asked.

With no brothers or sisters, Alex’s circle of friends had dwindled since she’d given up work to be a full-time mum, and although her social media feeds listed dozens of ‘friends’, there was no one she would want to see now. Sophie was her closest friend these days; even so, she didn’t deserve to bear the brunt of Alex’s current emotional state.

She shook her head, forcing her fingers around the plastic handle.

‘I think DI Trent said she’s assigning a Family Liaison Officer to support you. I can wait until she arrives if you’d like?’

There was desperation in his voice, but it suited her best to decline the offer, much to Owen’s evident relief. Pushing the door open, she stepped out into the cool and damp air. The rain had stopped and the atmosphere made it clear a reprisal could be imminent at any time. Reaching into her handbag she removed her house key, grimacing at the ‘World’s Best Mum’ key ring that dangled between her fingers. It was all she could do to stop herself tearing it off and throwing it to the gutter.

Owen was still in the car, waiting for her to enter, so as she pushed the door open, she waved without looking, then pushed the door closed with her bottom before crumpling to the floor, her head in her hands.

She couldn’t have been there for more than a few minutes when there was a gentle knocking at the door. Had Owen heard her wailing and come to check on her? That was the last thing she needed: the pitying look of her husband’s colleague.

Or maybe Ray had finally come to his senses and had come home to offer the support she needed. Wiping her face with the backs of her hands, she forced herself up and took several deep breaths to compose herself, before pulling the door open.

‘Oh you are home,’ the woman on the doorstep said cheerily, clutching a bottle of white wine. ‘I wasn’t sure as your car isn’t in the drive and all the lights are off. Have you just got home?’

Alex frowned at her friend. ‘Sophie? What are you …?’

Sophie’s puzzled expression mirrored Alex’s. ‘It’s Tuesday night? You said Ray was going out to play squash and I should come over for a girly catch-up. Sorry, am I too early? You did say come after seven.’

The memory fired to the front of Alex’s mind. ‘It’s Wednesday.’

Alex studied Sophie’s face. Her elfin-like bob curled at the fringe, and despite the bright choice of eye shadow, she wore little other make-up to accentuate her high cheekbones and silky-smooth skin.

‘Yes, it’s Wednesday, silly! Oh, and before you ask I had a text from Noemi, and – surprise, surprise – she can’t make it. That woman is such a flake. For someone who works in IT, she is so disorganized.’ Sophie continued into the house, oblivious to the pained expression on Alex’s face. ‘I would understand if she had children or a man in her life, but once again she’s bailed at the last minute.’ Sophie paused when she saw Alex was still by the door. ‘Don’t tell me you forgot! Have you made other plans?’

‘No, not exactly, it’s just …’

Sophie was already through to the living room, turning on the main light and looking around, pausing when her eyes fell on Alex’s swollen face still sheltered by the front door. ‘Oh gosh, what’s happened? Are you all right?’

How could Alex begin to explain the magnitude of what had happened that afternoon? They’d been friends for two years, since Alex and Ray had moved in next door to her. As a single woman with little responsibility other than her lease, how would Sophie understand the torment?

‘Is it Ray?’ she pressed. ‘Has something happened? You can tell me, sweetie. You know I’m discreet.’

Alex allowed Sophie to lead her through to the living room; it didn’t feel like home as she sank into the armchair. Carol-Anne’s scent still filled the room, and for a moment Alex allowed herself to pretend none of the last few hours had occurred.

Sophie reappeared a moment later with two large glasses and the bottle of wine she’d brought over. Pouring a generous measure into each, she handed one of the glasses to Alex. ‘Take your time, sweetie, I’m not going anywhere.’

Alex took a sip from her glass, before taking a much larger gulp, almost draining the contents. It tasted crisp and dry, and for the first time that evening, the weight of events lifted a fraction as the alcohol numbed the pain.

‘Someone’s taken Carol-Anne,’ she said, in one quick breath, hoping that admitting the truth would be less painful if spoken quickly, like removing a plaster.

Sophie’s mouth dropped, as deep crevices sank in her forehead. ‘I … what do you mean? Ray’s taken Carol-Anne?’

Alex took a deep breath. ‘I was parked in town; one minute she was strapped into my car, and the next …’

Sophie gasped, her eyes widening, the shock of the words hitting home. ‘Oh, sweetie, I don’t know what to say.’