Nightmare

46

First thing on Tuesday morning Nightingale phoned the number that Wainwright had given him. The guy was called Adrian Miller and he lived in Milton Keynes. They arranged to meet later that afternoon. Miller asked Nightingale to bring with him any personal possessions that had belonged to the person they were trying to contact. As soon as the call was over, Nightingale phoned Colin Duggan and asked him if he’d had any luck getting Sophie’s doll from the evidence room.

‘Nag, nag, nag,’ said Duggan.

‘I’m sorry, mate, but it’s important.’

‘Yeah, well, softly softly catchee monkey as the Chinese say,’ said Duggan. ‘The guy who’s on nights this week is a real stickler and there’s no way I can get anything by him. I know where the box is but I can’t get near it while he’s around.’

‘That’s annoying. What about the day shift?’

‘I figured night would be easier because they’re quiet,’ said Duggan. ‘I can give it a go during the day but I’m not taking any risks. Any chance of me being caught and I’m out of there.’

‘I understand, mate.’

‘Do you?’ said Duggan. ‘I’m risking my job and my pension to steal a child’s doll and you won’t even tell me what’s going on.’

‘I can’t. I’m sorry. But it’s not stealing because you’ll have it back. I promise.’

‘I’ll see what I can do,’ said the policeman, and he ended the call.

Nightingale rang Jenny and told her that he wouldn’t be in the office.

‘Car trouble?’ she said.

‘Oh ye of little faith,’ he said. ‘The car’s fine now, I’m heading up to Milton Keynes.’

‘Home of the concrete cows,’ she said.

‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘That’s what Milton Keynes is famous for, isn’t it? Concrete cows and roundabouts. Is it a job?’

‘I’m going to see the guy that Joshua recommended.’

‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’

‘I want to give it a try,’ said Nightingale.

‘If you want my opinion, I think you’d be better off talking to a therapist rather than talking to these charlatans,’ said Jenny.

‘Charlatans?’

‘You know what I mean,’ she said. ‘Just be careful.’