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  ‘But...’ Cartwright started. Gardner glared at him. ‘I thought I could sit in on the interview.’

  ‘No. Lawton’s doing it. I need a female officer in there with me. You know that.’

  ‘I thought I could speak to the husband,’ Cartwright said.

  ‘No,’ Gardner said. ‘I want you back out doing door-to-doors.’

  ‘But I never get to interview,’ Cartwright said.

  ‘Is there something wrong with you?’ Gardner asked him. ‘This isn’t about your fucking career, Cartwright. It’s about her,’ he said pointing towards the door.

  Cartwright let out a sigh and shrugged like a sullen teenager. ‘Sir,’ he muttered.

  ‘Now shut the fuck up and get out. Both of you,’ Gardner said, looking to Murphy.

  Murphy sat there for a few seconds. ‘Get out!’ Gardner said and Murphy scuttled away after Cartwright. ‘Jesus,’ Gardner said. ‘Who’s in charge here?’ He rubbed his temples and let out a breath. ‘Right,’ he said. ‘Lawton, follow me. Any luck with the mug shots?’

  ‘No, sir,’ Lawton said, looking up at him. ‘I left her with the sketch artist. That could give us something useful,’ she said, walking quickly, trying to keep up.

  ‘I’m not holding my breath. She can’t remember much, a couple of vague details. From what she’s said so far there were two men in a white van. They had accents which could’ve been Russian or Eastern European. One had a scarred face, someone could recall seeing him. But like Tweedle-Dum said, she didn’t notice a licence plate, didn’t notice a make. I’ll take the husband to see her before we get started. Go and find Wilson and ask him to make a start on finding anyone in the system who could be our guys. Meet me back upstairs in five minutes.’ He pointed to a room at the end of the hall. ‘In here?’ he asked her and Lawton nodded as he walked down the hall to meet Paul Henshaw.

  Gardner wished he had more answers. He knew that was what people wanted. The relatives. The mothers, fathers, husbands, wives. That was all they wanted from him. Answers. But right now he didn’t have any.

  Abby sat in another new room, alone. The sketch artist had gone. She’d tried her hardest to remember their faces, she thought she had, but nothing seemed right. Nothing he put in front of her seemed right. All she remembered were the pock-marks on his face. Nothing else.

  The hard, plastic chairs were uncomfortable and there was a stale cigarette smell that caught in her throat. She wished she was at home in her own bed, and then felt guilty for wanting comfort. Was Beth comfortable? She stood and walked to the window, trying to push the thoughts from her mind. Where was she? Why would someone want to take her daughter? She wanted her mum. More than anything she wanted her mum. More than Paul, more than Simon. She closed her eyes, blinking back tears, and pressed her forehead against the cool glass. Detective Gardner said he’d be right back but that was thirty minutes ago. He’d tried to answer Abby’s questions but it seemed like he knew nothing at this point. No, they hadn’t found Beth. No, they hadn’t found anyone who’d seen anything. And no, there hadn’t been any demands or anything to indicate that it was ‘a simple’ kidnapping.

  She wanted to see Paul. She needed him to tell her it’d be alright.

  The clock on the wall ticked loudly. She hated it reminding her with each stroke it was another second that Beth was missing. Another second Abby was not being her mother.

  Voices in the hallway caused Abby to turn. She recognised Paul’s voice; angry, upset, demanding answers. She moved over to the door as the voices approached. The door swung open and Gardner almost walked into her. He stepped back as Paul pushed past him. He took one look at Abby and froze. The colour drained from his face and his eyes glazed over with tears.

  ‘Abby,’ he said, his voice catching.

  Abby felt herself start to cry again and took half a step closer to Paul. He reached out to her and then dropped his hand, as if he was afraid to touch her.

  ‘What did they do?’ he said, his voice thin and lifeless. ‘My God.’ He moved towards her and threw his arms around her. She could feel his whole body shaking. She buried her face in his chest and as his fingers curled into her hair she felt her own body shudder as she cried.

  ‘They took Beth,’ Abby said into Paul’s body. ‘I let them take her.’

  He shook his head. ‘It’s not your fault, Abby. Please, look at me.’ He pulled back to look her in the eye. ‘This isn’t your fault.’ He shifted his glance to Gardner who was staring at the floor. ‘Please, tell me you’re going to find who did this.’

  Gardner cleared his throat. He looked between Abby and Paul. ‘We’re doing everything we can but at this point we need to speak to Abby to get a better idea of what–’

  ‘Is anyone even out looking for her?’ Paul asked.

  ‘We have officers looking around the local area but due to Beth’s age it’s clear that someone must’ve taken her.’

  ‘Jesus.’

  ‘We have a description of the men who attacked your wife and of the van. That’s a start but we need to speak to your wife again to fully understand the situation. And it’s quite possible that someone saw your daughter in the car alone and took her for her own safety–’

  ‘So where the hell is she then? Why haven’t they brought her back?’

  ‘We’re checking with local stations and hospitals.’

  ‘But what about the men who... the men who took me?’ Abby said. ‘They must have something to do with it?’

  ‘We’ll look into all possibilities but we need to take a statement from you.’

  Abby nodded and Paul ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Can I at least stay with her while you talk to her?’ he asked.

  ‘No, I’m afraid not. We need to take yours and your wife’s statements separately.’

  ‘Mine? I don’t understand,’ Paul said. ‘You need a statement from me?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why? I don’t understand.’ Paul glared at Gardner. ‘You think I kidnapped my own daughter?’

  ‘It’s a formality, Mr Henshaw. Just so we can get some background info.’

  Paul released his stare and let out a slow, deep breath. ‘Right. Of course. Whatever you need to do.’ He looked across at Abby. ‘Will you be okay?’

  Abby nodded and turned back to Gardner.

  ‘Okay, Mrs Henshaw, if you’ll come with me,’ Gardner said and opened the door. ‘If you’ll wait here, Mr Henshaw,’ he said indicating the plastic chairs against the wall. ‘Can I get you anything?’

  Paul gave a short shake of his head and dropped into a chair. He slumped forward, head in hands.

  Chapter Nine

  Abby felt claustrophobic in the small, square interview room. The overhead light was dim and the only window was high up on the wall. She sat opposite Gardner and PC Lawton. Lawton smiled, softly, each time Abby looked towards her. Gardner turned on a video camera and made the formal introductory statements. Abby glanced at the lens and swallowed. She hated being on camera. On more than one occasion she’d threatened Paul with divorce if he didn’t get his camcorder out of her face.

  She watched DI Gardner scribble the date - Monday 19th September 2005. She hadn’t taken much notice of the date that morning when she left the house - she barely knew what day it was anymore - but she’d remember it now. It’d be etched into her brain forever.

  ‘Okay, whenever you’re ready,’ Gardner said. Abby looked at him, unsure what to say or where to start from. She looked from Gardner to Lawton for a prompt.

  ‘Would you be more comfortable speaking to another female officer?’ Gardner asked.

  Abby shook her head. ‘No, it’s just...’ She looked Gardner in the eye and he nodded.

  ‘Just start by telling me what happened.’

  Abby nodded. As she took a breath it caught
in her throat. The image of that man looming above her, his hot breath on her face. She closed her eyes but it only made it worse. When she opened them, both Gardner and Lawton were staring. She knew she had to speak. The only way she would get Beth back was to tell them what happened out there.

  After she recounted every detail, Gardner poured a glass of water and pushed it towards her. Abby gulped it down and watched him write some more notes.

  ‘Do you want to take a break?’ Gardner asked.

  Abby paused before shaking her head. How much longer would she have to sit there? What else could she tell them?

  ‘Okay. So you were going to see your friend Jen?’ Gardner said.

  ‘Yes. Jen. Jennifer Harvey.’

  Gardner asked for her address and made a note as Abby dictated.

  ‘Was it planned?’ he asked.

  Abby looked confused for a moment. ‘What?’

  ‘Had you and Jen arranged the visit in advance or did you just decide this morning to go out there? Did Jen know you were coming?’

  Abby nodded. ‘It was planned. We arranged it last week, I think.’

  ‘So apart from yourself and Jen, who else knew you were going?’

  Abby ran her fingers through her hair, flinching as she did so. ‘Paul, obviously.’ She shook her head. ‘I think that’s it.’

  ‘You told no one else, no other family members?’

  ‘We don’t have any other family.’

  Gardner looked at her. ‘None at all?’

  Abby shook her head. ‘My parents died in a car crash when I was eighteen. I’ve got an aunt but I haven’t seen her for a long time. She lives in America. Both mine and Paul’s parents are dead.’ She paused. ‘Paul’s mum killed herself.’

  Gardner waited but Abby didn’t continue. ‘And his dad?’ he asked eventually.

  ‘He died,’ Abby said.

  Gardner looked like he was about to query this but just nodded again and moved on. ‘Okay, no other family? Brothers, sisters?’

  ‘No,’ Abby said.

  Gardner nodded again. ‘No other friends who might’ve known? Nobody from work you could’ve told?’

  Abby shook her head. ‘I’m on maternity leave.’

  ‘What about Jen? Would she have told anyone?’

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe.’

  ‘But as far as you know no one else knew you’d be going out there today except you, your husband, and your friend Jen?’

  ‘Right,’ Abby sighed.

  ‘How long have you known Ms Harvey?’

  Abby thought about it. How long had they been friends? It seemed like a long time but that was an illusion created by Jen’s knowledge of her past, or at least her husband’s past. ‘About four years,’ she said. Gardner remained silent, compelling Abby to continue. ‘We met at a work party.’

  ‘So you know her through work. Would you say you were close?’

  ‘Yes.’ Abby paused. ‘What’s this got to do with finding Beth?’ Gardner said nothing. ‘You can’t think Jen had anything to do with this? Why would she?’

  Gardner cleared his throat again. ‘I just need to fill in as much background as I can. I’m not suggesting your friend had anything to do with what happened but I need to know as much as possible. The details are usually what help the most.’

  Abby sighed again, her mind racing. Should she tell him? She looked down at her raw hands as she spoke. ‘I’ve known Jen for four years but Paul has known her a lot longer.’ She sensed Gardner shift in his seat. ‘Paul and Jen were at university together. They used to be together.’ She looked back at Gardner who didn’t even try to conceal his surprise. Abby suddenly felt embarrassed, wondering what Gardner and Lawton were thinking.

  Was this some kind of love-triangle, Mrs Henshaw?

  ‘Is there any chance that your husband and Ms Harvey...?’ Gardner made a gesture with his hand.

  Abby stared at him for a few seconds. ‘Paul and Jen?’ She looked at Lawton who sat with her Mona Lisa smile. ‘Believe me that would never happen.’

  ‘They didn’t get on?’

  ‘No. Well, yes. Sometimes they’d bitch about each other but not seriously. I think it made Paul uncomfortable knowing his wife and ex-girlfriend were friends.’

  ‘So Paul wasn’t keen on Jen being around. What about her?’

  Abby shrugged. ‘She just, I don’t know. She likes to tease him. She knows she can always get a rise out of him.’

  Lawton shot Gardner a quick glance before looking back to Abby. ‘Did you ever get the feeling that Jen was jealous? Maybe still had feelings for Paul?’

  ‘No,’ Abby said. ‘She didn’t even know I was married to him until a few months after we’d been friends.’

  ‘How did she find out?’

  ‘She just mentioned one day that she used to go out with someone called Henshaw and we realised it was Paul.’

  ‘And it didn’t bother you?’ Lawton said. ‘I don’t think I’d like to know my friend used to go out with my husband.’

  ‘No. Me and Paul had already been together for four years. I just found it funny that they’d ever been together. I couldn’t imagine them as a couple. Still can’t.’

  ‘And what about Paul? How did he react?’

  ‘He was surprised. She was a blast from the past. He asked if she was still a nutter and that was it really.’

  ‘A nutter?’ Gardner asked.

  ‘He just thought she was a bit mad, you know. They’re so different. That’s why I thought it odd that they’d ever been together.’

  Gardner scratched at his ear and made some final notes. Abby tugged at the sleeve of her jumper.

  ‘Is any of this actually helping?’ she asked.

  ‘We need to make sure we cover everything,’ Gardner said.

  ‘But Jen didn’t take Beth. She didn’t hurt me.’ She took a deep breath and felt the tears burning her eyes again. She swiped at her face with the sleeve of her scratchy jumper. ‘I’m sorry. I just want to find my little girl.’

  ‘I know,’ Gardner said. ‘And we will. I know this is hard. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now but I need you to keep going. Just answer my questions, even if they might seem stupid. Okay?’

  Abby swept the hair from her face behind her ear. She nodded at him.

  ‘Okay. You didn’t tell anybody else you’d be going to see Ms Harvey?’

  Abby closed her eyes. She knew there was no one else. Who else would she tell? Then she had a thought. Her eyes opened.

  ‘I was at the doctor’s,’ she said. ‘Before going to Jen’s, I went to the doctor’s. I was on the phone to Paul and we were talking about it.’ Abby felt sick. She tried to remember who’d been there, who was listening. The receptionist? The man with the crutches?

  Gardner made a note. ‘Which surgery?’

  ‘Kirkleatham Street,’ she said.

  ‘In Redcar?’ he asked and Abby nodded. ‘Okay, we can check,’ he said but Abby didn’t know what that meant. He could check if any rapists or kidnappers had made an appointment that morning on the off chance? ‘Okay, let’s go back. Let’s start with this morning before you left to go to Ms Harvey’s.’

  Abby told him about having breakfast, about losing her keys and running late. About the visit to the surgery and the drive up the narrow country roads. Gardner took notes and nodded in the right places. He stopped and asked questions to clarify and confirm. After what seemed like a long time he finally put his pen down and folded his hands on the table top.

  ‘Okay. Is there anything else you can think of? Anyone out of place? Anything suspicious? Maybe it wasn’t even today, maybe in the last few days? Maybe further back. Anything at all?’

  Abby started to shake her head and then thought of something she
’d ignored at the time as nothing more than an inconvenience, perhaps a malicious act by bored teenagers.

  ‘Someone slashed my tyres,’ she said.

  ‘When was this?’ Gardner asked.

  ‘January, I think,’ she said. ‘Maybe the beginning of February. Not long after Beth was born.’

  ‘Did you report it?’

  ‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘I had no idea when it was done. I didn’t use the car for a couple of weeks so when I noticed it could’ve been done the night before or days before. I just thought it was kids or something. I had better things to worry about.’

  Gardner nodded but she thought he seemed a little disappointed by her response. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Was that an isolated incident? Nothing else happened around that time or since then? No one you can think of that might have reason to harass you?’ He stared at her and she felt her mouth go dry. ‘Anything at all?’

  She could feel her chest tighten, her breathing beginning to labour. She wondered if Gardner saw right through her. If she told him, part of her felt like it would be for nothing. She knew Simon would never have done this; knew he wouldn’t have slashed her tyres. Abby felt the weight of Gardner’s stare and knew she had to make a decision. If she told him about Simon, that would be it. The truth would be out. She would lose Paul. But she needed to tell him. If it was a choice between Paul or Beth, she knew what she’d choose.

  Tears began to form in her eyes again but she blinked them away, ignoring the pain, ignoring her throat constricting. She swallowed hard and met his gaze.