Bye Bye Baby

27

Mrs Wilson was standing in front of the primary school gates. Bruce's teacher, Mrs Lennox, was with her. And so was someone I didn't think I'd see again. Not at work, anyway.

I parked and got out of the car.

"I don't want to talk to anyone," Mrs Wilson was saying. "Leave me alone."

Erica looked at me and shrugged.

"Miss me?" I asked her.

"No, just decided you were right. I couldn't let Dutton win."

"Good to have you with us again." I said hello to Bruce's teacher, then turned to Mrs Wilson. "Where's the money?"

"Leave me alone," she said.

"Please, Clare. Tell me where the money is." It was almost certainly too late. Wherever it was, the kidnapper would have picked it up by now.

"Not till Bruce is safe. I've already told her." Mrs Wilson looked at Erica. "I'm not saying anything till my baby's back." She glanced at her watch. "Five minutes. Wait five minutes. He'll be here then."

"That's great," I said. "Maybe while we're waiting, you could tell me what happened. Les was worried."

"Les doesn't care."

"I think you're wrong. I've spent quite a bit of time with him and he's very upset."

"About me, maybe. But he doesn't care about Bruce. That hasn't changed."

I looked at Erica.

"Would you all leave me alone, please," Mrs Wilson said. "Just for a few minutes. I don't want you all standing here scaring Bruce."

Mrs Lennox said to no one in particular, "I'll be inside," and headed back to the school. Bet she was relieved to get away from the insanity.

"Want to wait in the car?" I asked Erica.