Finished, he put the paper down on the table and reached out for Linda’s hand. She grabbed for it and wrapped her fingers around his.
‘DCI Darke and ACC Masterson will now take a few questions from the press. Please state your name and the organisation you’re with before your question.’ The press officer said clearly from the side of the room.
‘Rose Cartwright, BBC Look North. How do you know the kidnapping was a hoax?’
‘The ongoing investigation and evidence we’ve gathered has led us to believe it was a hoax,’ Valerie said.
‘Bob Rogers, Sheffield Telegraph. According to social media, a ransom demand of fifty thousand pounds was made. How can it be a hoax, yet you still have a missing child?’
‘We believe that whoever has taken Keeley used the kidnapping ploy to mislead police.’
‘So she was definitely taken? She hasn’t simply wandered off?’ Bob asked.
‘That’s our understanding of the situation,’ Valerie said.
‘Greg Levy, The Sun. Linda, if whoever has taken your daughter is watching this, what would you personally like to say to them?’
More cameras flashed followed by a silence, as all eyes turned to Linda.
Craig squeezed her hand tighter. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She grabbed for the plastic cup of water and took a large gulp.
Linda looked deep into the television camera in front of her. ‘Keeley’s my youngest daughter. I love her so much. She makes me smile. I miss her. I need her home. I don’t care why you’ve taken her. I just want you … I need you to give her back to me. Please.’
Craig wrapped his left arm around Linda’s shoulders, and she sank into him. The silence around the room grew.
‘Any other questions?’
‘Danny Hanson, Sheffield Star.’
Matilda’s ears pricked up.
‘DCI Darke, this must bring back memories of Carl Meagan’s disappearance four years ago. There are similarities with a ransom demand. Do you believe the two are connected?’
Matilda leaned closer to the microphone in front of her. She tried to speak but her dry mouth wouldn’t allow her. She cleared her throat. ‘We’ve established that, in this case, the ransom demand was a hoax. We have no evidence to suggest that the cases are connected.’
‘Two children going missing, money demanded in both cases. How confident are you that you can get Keeley back where you failed with Carl?’
‘South Yorkshire Police are working around the clock to find Keeley …’
‘You said the same about Carl going missing.’
‘Mr Hanson,’ Valerie jumped in. ‘Your questions are not helping. Every case is different. There were circumstances beyond our control in why Carl was never found. However, the case remains open and we remain active in looking for him. Looking for Keeley is in the very early stages and we are confident we can bring her home. Now, unless you have a more pertinent question, I believe you can sit down.’
‘Do you have a suspect?’ he asked quickly.
‘At present, we haven’t identified one suspect, but we are following a number of leads.’
‘There are rumours you have a teacher from Keeley’s school under arrest.’
‘Mr Hanson, I’m aware that the majority of what goes into your newspaper is based on rumour, innuendo and gossip, but at South Yorkshire Police, we only deal in facts. I suggest you look that particular f-word up before you continue,’ Valerie said.
There was a ripple of laughter from around the room.
The press officer chose this moment to bring the conference to an end. Linda couldn’t stand up fast enough. She and Craig were led off the platform by Ellen Devonport. Matilda refused to break eye contact with Danny Hanson until he blinked first. A flash of a camera caused Matilda to turn her head.
***
In Dore, Sally Meagan was sitting on the sofa in the living room. She stared, wide-eyed, at the television watching the press conference live. She was taken back in time to when she and Philip had been led out onto the same platform and had given a tearful plea for Carl to come home. She had no memory of what she’d said or of the questions asked of her by the press. Every time she’d looked up, she’d been blinded by the flash of the cameras.
‘It’s happening again,’ she said, choking on her tears as Woody looked up at her from his position on the sofa next to her. ‘That poor family. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.’
Philip came into the living room, snatched up the remote from the coffee table and turned the TV off.
‘I told you not to watch it.’
‘I know. I had to, though.’
‘Why?’
‘Phil, do you think we should have given her the money?’
‘No. How many times have we had people coming to the house or emailing us asking for money? If we give something to one, we have to give to them all. We can’t do that.’
‘But … she looks like a female version of our Carl,’ she sniffled.
Philip squatted next to her and took her bony hands in his. ‘No she doesn’t, Sal. You just think she does. Don’t do this to yourself.’
***
Craig and Linda were whisked to Valerie’s office. It was quieter and had more comfortable seating. The ACC had arranged for a tray of coffee to be waiting for them. Nobody spoke as they made their way along the corridor. Linda, with her head down, never let go of her husband’s hand.
Matilda waited until they had entered the office before she dug out her mobile and made a call.
‘Christian, how did it go?’ She asked quietly.
‘We’ve searched their shed and Craig’s van. We found nothing.’
Matilda relaxed. It doesn’t mean he’s in the clear. Keep your guard up. ‘That’s good. Did Jodie see you searching?’
‘No. Sian was chatting to her in Riley’s room.’
‘Ok.’ She ended the call and went to join the others in Valerie’s office.
They were all sitting awkwardly around a small table on comfortable chairs. Ellen placed a tray of coffees in the middle and handed one to Linda. She took a sip and pulled a face.
‘Do you have anything to put in this?’
‘I do,’ Valerie went over to her filing cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey. She poured a small measure into Linda’s coffee. Craig refused.
‘What happens now?’ Craig asked.
‘The press conference was filmed by all the main news channels. It’ll be shown on their bulletins and I believe a news crew from Look North are going out to Stannington this afternoon to film some of the search,’ Matilda said. ‘It will feature heavily in their programme tonight.’
‘What happens if nothing comes of it? I mean, I know you’ll get calls, you’re bound to, but what if there are no leads?’
‘We take it one step at a time,’ she said. ‘Obviously, we hope we find Keeley through this. If not, we’ll stage a reconstruction, another press conference, we’ll get you on breakfast television being interviewed, double page features in national newspapers. There is so much we can do.’
Craig smiled and leaned back in his seat, suitably placated. Linda was perched on the edge, her hands wrapped around the mug, her knuckles white.