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

‘Are you talking about your job as a waitress at the seafront coffee bar?’ Grant asked.

‘That’s right.’ Sniff. ‘It was dark. He must have been waiting because he pounced on me and put a hood over my head.’

‘And this was when?’

‘I’m not sure. It’s all mixed up in my head.’

‘My colleague and I questioned you at the coffee bar,’ Ruby said. ‘Was it the same day?’

‘Maybe. I don’t know.’

‘And around what time?’ Grant asked.

‘About ten thirty.’

The Inspector nodded. ‘Was there anyone around? Did you shout for help?’

‘It was stupid of me when I think about it because I went out the back entrance. It gives out onto an alleyway and it’s shorter to walk home. I didn’t see anyone. When he forced the hood over my head I panicked. I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was going to die.’

‘I see. And then?’

‘The next thing I remember I was chained to a bed and that’s where I stayed until you found me.’

Ruby was watching Sylvie very carefully. ‘Did Riley speak to you?’ she asked.

‘I don’t remember.’

Ruby made encouraging noises. ‘Hmm. What about food and drink?’

‘I had water, and he let me use the bathroom. Of course, I thought about escaping and it was impossible. Why are you asking me these things? He attacked me. He kept me chained up.’

‘We’re trying to understand why Nick Riley would snatch you after he took Emily and Lisa. You said you don’t know him,’ Ruby said.

‘I’ve never met him before, no.’

‘Except it seems he knew you and he knew enough to know where you worked. Is it possible he met you while you were working for the Glovers?’ Grant asked.

Sylvie was screwing a tissue up and ripping it to pieces. She kept shifting around and glancing at the uniformed constable in the corner. It was as if she felt her captor was still there, though Ruby was not fooled. Sylvie Delacourt had been a brilliant actress from the beginning. For a moment, Sylvie stopped and considered Grant’s idea.

‘If he was following Emily and Lisa then I suppose it’s possible he saw me from a distance. I mean, you hear about people who get obsessed, on the news and stuff. Do you think he might have been the type to get fixated on me?’

‘When he had you tied up, did he touch you?’ Ruby asked.

‘I d-don’t think so.’ Sylvie started crying again. ‘How can I be sure? Maybe he d-did something and I can’t remember it!’

‘And he never mentioned Emily and Lisa? He never spoke about them?’ Grant asked.

‘He liked to sit on the end of the bed and stare at me. It was creepy. I was freaked out and who knows what the hell was going on inside his head. I just wanted him to get away. And no, he didn’t talk about the children.’

Grant glanced at Ruby and he gave a small nod. Grant had a brown envelope in front of him and he slid out a photograph. ‘Do you recognise this person?’ he asked.

Sylvie peered at it. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘A yes or no answer please,’ Grant said.

‘No. I’ve no idea who it is.’

‘You’ve told a very convincing story,’ Grant said. ‘Now I’d like to tell you what I think. You told my officers you are pregnant and Jack Glover is the father. This is what I believe happened – you and Maria Fernandez became friends. Then at some point, you realised you were being played and you found out Riley and Maria’s aim which was to kidnap Emily and Lisa and demand a ransom. At that point you could have come to the police and you didn’t. Instead, you recognised a wonderful opportunity for getting back at Jack and for cashing in at the same time. I think you teamed up with Nick Riley. Likely that was your real reason for moving down to Brighton.’

‘That’s crazy. You’re making it up.’

‘Was it you who copied the key to the Hardman’s house and then slipped it back where it should be? Or Maria?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. This Maria woman, I’ve never met her.’

‘Untrue. I have video footage of the two of you together at a gym in Himlands Heath. You seem to be quite friendly with Maria Fernandez, in fact, the staff there told me you trained together frequently during the time you worked for the Glovers.’

It hadn’t taken much for Grant to find out Maria frequented the gym. The staff confirmed his suspicion the two young women knew each other. What he couldn’t work out was how exactly Sylvie got in on the kidnapping plan.

‘Wait. Oh yes now I remember. Yeah sure, I met up with her once or twice on the treadmills though I don’t remember her name. So what? I’ve no idea what she might have been up to. If you think she’s involved in abducting the children why don’t you ask her yourself? Instead of trying to drag me into it.’

Grant took out a second photograph. It was a crime scene shot of Maria’s body. ‘Because Maria Fernandez is dead. But I think you knew that already, didn’t you?’

‘Riley abducted me! He kept me against my will. You’re not allowed to talk to me like that.’

‘You colluded with Riley in the abduction of Emily and Lisa. You knew the location of the children all along. When officers arrived at Riley’s residence you chained yourself to the bed to make it look as if you were innocent, and you concocted your whole story. That’s why there were no marks on your wrists from the cuffs, because you’d just put them on.’

‘Did you have handcuffs with you the whole time?’ Ruby asked. ‘Just in case we came after Riley and you needed an escape story?’

Grant placed his hands flat on the table. ‘That was quite clever. You might be interested to know we’ve located the one million. Will we find your prints on the notes? I think so.’

Billingham’s team had