‘Christ, Jo. That’s a hell of a story,’ Steve says. ‘This woman thinks Ash is going to leave you and go to her because she’s got Millie?’
‘That’s about it, yes.’ I don’t turn to look at him, and instead stare out of the windscreen. ‘Why are you helping me, Steve? You seemed angry with me when you arrived, and if you’ll pardon me for saying so, you’ve been a total knob all week.’
‘I was bloody angry with you. I thought you’d made a complaint about me because I followed you and Millie home from school one day, and when she went missing the police had put two and two together and made ninety-eight. I’m helping you because she looks a cute kid, and whether I know her or not, she’s still my flesh and blood. For the record, I wasn’t being a knob. I just wanted to meet her.’
‘I appreciate your help,’ I mutter, deciding not to remind him of our initial phone conversation and his derogatory remarks about Ash. I wish he’d stop talking now, and just drive faster.
‘I’m not sure why we’re following your man, though. Didn’t you say the nut job had refused to take him to Millie – at least for the time being?’
‘I’m hoping she lied. Look, stop asking me questions, Steve. Just find him, for God’s sake.’
‘Stop panicking. If she’s not taking Ash to Millie, we’ll wait until they’ve had their romantic reunion and then follow her.’
It sounds like a plan, although I could have done without the reference to romance. I still hope she’ll take Ash to Millie and we can swoop in and steal my daughter back, but maybe that’s a bit optimistic.
Any further thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of my phone. It’s Becky. Zoe must have discovered that I’m not at home. I don’t want to answer, but God knows what will happen if I don’t.
‘Hi, Becky.’ I do my best to keep my voice steady.
Steve gives me a wide-eyed stare. He’s obviously met Becky and wonders at my friendly tone. I guess he didn’t warm to her.
She doesn’t mention the fact that I’ve left the house again, and I realise Zoe must think I’m still licking my wounds in the bedroom. My car is still there too. I can tell Becky’s on hands-free and driving, so she probably can’t hear that I’m in a car too. I listen as she asks me to call Shona so they can eliminate her fingerprints.
‘Okay, but now I think about it, when she called me yesterday she was using her work phone, so maybe you should try that one. I must have the number in my call log. I can check if you like, and ring you back.’
‘That’s okay,’ Becky says. ‘You know we’re still recording your calls in case someone phones with threats or a ransom demand, so I’ll check the logs myself and try the other number. If we can’t get hold of her, I’ll let you know and perhaps you can call her and ask her to ring me.’
I agree, although I don’t want to speak to anyone if I can help it. I hang up with a sigh of relief.
‘You’re not telling the detective what we’re doing, then?’ Steve asks somewhat unnecessarily.
‘I’ve told her what Ash is doing, but if he’s right about an informant in the police, I’m terrified this woman will find out. Then who knows what will happen to Millie? I wanted to keep a trick up my sleeve in case I’ve overestimated Becky’s ability to keep it confidential.’
I really don’t know if I’m doing the right thing or not, but my eyes are glued to the screen showing the location of Ash’s phone. He’s heading east, but Steve is gaining on the car.
Wherever they’re taking him, we’re going to be close behind.
78
Ash had no idea where he was. They had just gone over a motorway, which he presumed was the M60, but he couldn’t be sure. He had totally lost his bearings. They seemed to be in the countryside, and for a moment he was reminded of the long cold night he had spent on Cadishead Moss. But this was somewhere different. There were too many trees for it to be the Moss.
Suddenly the car veered off the road and bumped down a narrow rutted lane.
‘Where are we going?’
‘I don’t know,’ Terry answered. ‘She works on the basis of everyone only knowing exactly what they need to. Our driver knows; that’s all that matters.’
They drove for no more than a minute and then pulled into a lay-by which was obviously used for fly-tipping. It was a mess.
‘Out,’ said the driver.
‘Where am I going?’
The driver didn’t answer but turned to Terry. ‘Along the path on the left. Just keep going. You’ll know when you get there. Then hang back until she’s finished with him. Those are the instructions.’
Finished with him? Ash didn’t like the sound of that. And another walk! The phone was digging into his calf, a constant reminder that if they found it, they would probably kill him.
He got out of the car, and Terry, no longer friendly, prodded him to go ahead. Underfoot the ground was sodden. Keeping himself upright on the crutches was a challenge requiring every atom of Ash’s concentration, and he didn’t realise they had reached their destination until he stepped onto wooden planks.
He looked up. He was on some kind of platform overlooking a lake, the moon flitting in and out from behind clouds to reflect off the still water.
‘Hello, Ash.’
He was expecting the voice, but still it gave him a jolt. She stepped out of the shadow of the trees surrounding the lookout.
He turned to face her, hoping, praying that she wasn’t alone. But there was no sign of Millie.
79
‘Keith, are you on your own?’ Becky asked the minute DI Sims answered his mobile.
‘I’m in the boss’s office. What have you got?’
‘Do you have the call log from Rajavi’s mobile – the legit one?’
‘Hang on. I’ll put you on a speaker while I look.’
Becky heard a rustle of paper. Despite the fact he could probably pull them up on his laptop, Keith did love paper.
‘Got them in front of me. Who are we looking for?’
‘I’m on my way back from the hospital, but I spoke to a few people who work with Ash, including the sister whose name appears most frequently.’
‘That’s Inéz Ortega, isn’t it?’
‘That’s right. She seems to think a lot of Ash – believes he’s a great doctor.’
Becky heard another noise from Tom’s office. The sound of a door opening and closing and a faint ‘Oh’ from Keith.
‘Was that a “but” I heard in your voice, Becky?’
To her surprise, it was Tom.
‘What are you doing back in the office? Philippa said Louisa needed an emergency C-section. Is everything okay?’ Becky shouted over the sound of a passing fire engine. ‘You should be with them. We’ve got this, boss.’
‘Louisa and Harry are both fine. Lucy’s staying with a friend, and mother and baby are sleeping.’
‘A boy! Congratulations, Tom.’ She heard Keith echoing her words in the background.
‘Thanks. Now tell us about Inéz Ortega.’