Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry (read me a book .TXT) 📕

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.

‘I’m going back to the station to update DCS Fox.’

‘What’s the next step, boss?’

‘You sit tight. I need you and Ruby here for the next call. Jack Glover, Natalie, Zofia Kaminski – the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together.’

Tom scratched his head. ‘Are they?’

‘You bet they are,’ Grant said, slapping Tom on the shoulder.

It took a long while for the family to calm down. Jack didn’t seem to be able to function. Eventually he went to his study and Tom noted how Jack always left the door open. He had a similar anxiety to his wife – that news would come through about the children and he might miss it. Both parents looked dreadful yet the phone call had given them a breadcrumb. It was something to hang on to.

Tom tried to coax Alice to eat and he went to the kitchen to make a plate of toast. He carried it through for her.

‘It’s important to keep your strength up, even if you don’t feel like it.’

‘You’re very kind. Making food isn’t your job, you know.’

‘That doesn’t matter.’ Tom pushed the plate towards her.

Alice picked up a piece and stared at it a few moments before taking a tiny bite. ‘Last night I dreamed of Lisa calling out for me. And I couldn’t reach her.’

Ah, thought Tom, that was a nightmare not a dream.

‘Why wasn’t Lisa on the call?’ she whispered.

Tom could see her mind straying to the worst possible scenarios which would not do her any good at all. ‘Try not to dwell on it. We must stick with the facts. You heard Emily’s voice and you said she was trying to be brave. That means she’s in good spirits. And a demand is a positive sign.’

Joan Hardman was sitting on the sofa staring out the window and Tom looked across to include her.

‘My Inspector has spoken to Daniel Pearson and Pearson mentioned an ex-employee of Hardman Construction, a woman called Zofia Kaminski. Have either of you heard of her?’

‘The name’s familiar although I can’t give you any details,’ Joan said. ‘She probably worked in the office.’

Alice had put down the toast and gone back to tugging at her own hair. ‘Why is she important?’

‘I’m not sure. I think she worked with your husband.’

‘Then why don’t you ask Jack?’ Alice said.

Because we wanted to see your reaction first, Tom thought.

Ruby was reading from her screen. They’d received Emily’s phone call over an hour ago. It had been terrifying when Alice ran into the room, white in the face. Alice had not been able to express herself, staring at her phone and unable to respond to anyone.

Ruby had felt the emotion of the mother in every sinew of her body.

Had the parents’ reactions been genuine, or rehearsed? Grant had asked Ruby the question. Alice had seemed genuinely distraught whereas Jack had jumped straight into over-controlling mode. They could both be natural responses although there was something terribly strained between the husband and wife and it had been from the beginning. Was it relevant? Was it caused by Sylvie Delacourt? Or by Natalie next door? What was going on with this couple?

Now Ruby had a vantage point to observe Alice talking to Tom. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen how Tom’s calm manner helped people when they were in distress. He had a way too of being able to slip the questions in with no one noticing. He’d asked about Zofia Kaminski without causing a ripple. No wonder Grant respected Tom.

The lounge went very quiet and Ruby continued working until she was suddenly startled by the constable at the front door arguing with someone.

‘No, ma’am, you cannot walk in unannounced.’

Then Ruby heard Natalie’s voice raised in protest.

‘It’s all right, officer,’ Alice called out. ‘Natalie can come in whenever she wants.’

At the commotion, Jack came out of his study.

‘Oh good, I’m glad you’re both here,’ Natalie said, and that was when Ruby started to have a bad feeling. She exchanged a worried glance with Tom.

‘This is not the best moment, ma’am,’ Tom said. ‘Alice and Jack have had upsetting news and I think it might be best if–’

‘No you can’t shut me up.’ Natalie flicked back her hair. ‘I’ve had enough hiding in the shadows. It’s time to own it. Tell her, darling.’

Jack stared at her. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

‘Tell me what?’ Alice said, and Ruby was sorry to see how Alice seemed genuinely bewildered.

Jack ran his hand through his hair. ‘I think Detective Delaney is right. This isn’t the time.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Alice said. ‘It isn’t the time for what?’

‘Oh come on, Alice, don’t act the poor victim. Surely even you can’t be so dense you haven’t realised? Jack and I are in love.’ Natalie presented it like a triumphant announcement. She linked one arm with Jack’s and placed her other hand on her hip.

Coming after Emily’s call it was absolutely horrendous. There was a terrible silence. Everyone was staring at Alice as she tried to grasp what was going on.

‘This is nonsense,’ Alice said. ‘What the hell are you talking about? Have you gone mad?’ She turned to her husband. ‘Tell her Jack and