Part 19 (1/2)

Victor raised his eyebrows as if to say 'Really?'

'So how did Tamsin know him, then?'

'I gather Tamsin was hanging around waiting for Alexander, who was doing psychology as an elective, and she caught Price's eye.'

Victor laughed. 'Not difficult, from what I've seen. My sister used to wear a skirt like Tamsin so short my dad called it a curtain pelmet.'

Tom stifled a sigh. 'We're working our way through all of Tamsin's exes, sir, and if possible I'd also like to take a look at the warehouses and some of the derelict sites around Pomona. I know you sent uniforms down to check if they were secured, but...'

He saw Victor Elliott's face turn red.

'Don't waste your time. I've told you. You're not looking in the right place. Focus, Douglas. I want this guy found.'

43.

Maggie crept along the landing, trying to make no sound at all, hoping the rain beating against the windows would mask any noise. She didn't put the light on, and there was little light from the moon coming in through the window on the landing. Step by step she inched her way down the stairs. She didn't need to do this, but she didn't want to explain herself either.

Finally reaching the bottom, she stretched out her hand to the exact spot where she knew her car keys would be, grabbed her raincoat from the hallstand and gently turned the latch on the door. As she turned the handle, the hall was flooded with light.

Suzy was standing at the top of the stairs in her pyjamas. 'What on earth are you doing, Maggie?' Her sister's voice came out in a hoa.r.s.e whisper.

Maggie stopped. 'Sorry, Suzy. I knew the kids would be okay with you, and I didn't want to tell you I was going out.' She hissed out the words, anxious not to disturb the children.

Suzy walked halfway down the stairs and the conversation continued in hushed tones.

'Why not?' Maggie heard the hurt in her sister's voice and understood.

'Because I didn't want you sitting up all night worrying about me.'

'c.r.a.p reason, if you don't mind me saying so. But go on do what you've got to do. I presume you're going to see Duncan?'

Maggie shrugged. 'I only have a rough idea where he is. I'm going to look for him.'

'What, randomly drive around Manchester, you mean?' The frown on Suzy's face was difficult to miss, and Maggie felt she had to defend herself.

'Not quite. I know roughly what area he's in, so I thought I'd see if I could find him.'

She could hear the hopelessness in her own voice and realised how stupid she was being.

Suzy came to the bottom of the stairs and reached out a hand to her sister. 'Why don't we try to be a bit more methodical than that? Get your laptop and come into the kitchen. I'll make you a hot drink before you go and we can make a plan. Ten minutes isn't going to make any difference, is it?'

Maggie's desire to be doing something, her need to find Duncan see him, touch him, hold him had overridden her common sense.

She followed Suzy and opened her laptop.

'Okay, tell me what you know.'

'Not much,' Maggie said. 'When he called me earlier he was in a call box close to Heaton Park.' Maggie loaded up Google Maps and pointed to the location on the map.

'And what's your thinking?'

'I think he'll be staying in a cheap, faceless hotel. He won't be using a credit card he knows I could check that. Duncan does lots of jobs for cash. And don't look like that.'

'Like what?' Suzy asked with a look of innocence.

'People think if they pay in cash he's going to give them a discount, which he doesn't, but he's lazy about going to the bank. It's all recorded though. He knows I would go ballistic if he was working on the black.'

Neither of them commented on the fact that it seemed Duncan had actually hidden far more than a few bookkeeping inconsistencies from his wife.

'How were you planning on finding out which hotel?'

'I was going to look for his van.'

'It's a bit hit and miss, Mags. It could take you all night. Even if you find him, the best the hotel will do is let you call his room. They won't give you his room number, so he can ignore you if he wants to. I've got a better idea. What's Duncan's van's registration number?'

Maggie told her.

'What was the name of the female detective who came to see you?'

'Detective Inspector Robinson, I think. I can't remember her first name. Why?'

Suzy took control of the laptop and clicked on the first hotel shown by Google maps. She picked up the phone and pressed 141.

'What are you doing, Suzy?' Maggie asked, not entirely trusting her sister and recognising the code to withhold her number.

'Shh,' she replied as she typed in the number of the hotel. 'h.e.l.lo. It's Detective Inspector Robinson speaking from Greater Manchester Police. Can I speak to somebody in authority there, please?'

Maggie looked at her sister in horror. It was a serious offence to impersonate a police officer. What was she doing?

'Oh, I see. You're the night manager. I'm hoping you'll be able to help. I presume you ask your guests to provide the registration numbers of their vehicles? Well we're looking for a white van in connection with a serious offence. Can you please check your records for this number?'

Suzy read out the number as Maggie frantically waved at her to stop. She was tempted to drag the phone out of her sister's hands, but that would probably raise more suspicions than if she kept quiet.

'I see. Well, thank you for your help. I won't leave my number. If he's not with you already, he won't be coming. Goodnight.' Suzy disconnected. 'What?' she said, looking Maggie squarely in the eye.

'I can't do this, Suzy. I could lose my job.'

'Listen. The guys on duty at night at these places aren't going to question getting a call about a vehicle. I'm not trying to extort money or anything. Worst case, I'm trying to help you find your husband. And in the highly unlikely event that we get caught, I'll say you knew nothing about it. I was working on my own initiative. Stop fretting and give me the next number.'

Maggie blew out a long breath. She had to admit this was better than trailing round car parks all night.

Suzy tried the next hotel. There was no joy.

She was on hotel number five when Maggie noticed her sister sit up straighter in her chair.