Bye Bye Baby

25

I was staring at the plate of toasted cheese and beans on Mrs Wilson's sitting room table, wondering if it was too cold to eat, when Control called to tell me Mrs Wilson's Range Rover had been found. Abandoned, less than five minutes drive away. No sign of Mrs Wilson yet but Uniform was checking door-to-door.

I gave Les the news.

He gazed into his hands. "What do you think that means?"

"The kidnapper probably told her to leave the car. Get on a bus. Grab a taxi, who knows. He must have known we'd try to locate the car and follow her."

"I never expected this." He started to walk over to the window. "When she said she was hungry, I believed her. She hadn't eaten properly since… I don't know when."

"Don't blame yourself," I said. "This guy's smart."

"Maybe we're just stupid."

"That's always possible."

"What can we do?"

It was a good question, but one I didn't have an answer for. "I'm going to get out there and help look for her."

He stared out of the window. "She could be anywhere by now."

"We have officers all over the place," I said. "Someone will find her."

He turned. "I'll grab my coat."

"No," I said. "You stay here."

"I want this guy." His eyes shone. "I want to see what kind of person would do this to Clare. I want to break my fingers on his chin."

"And I need you to wait here," I said. "In case she comes back."