Nightmare

78

A helicopter flew along the Thames, heading towards Battersea heliport. ‘Have you ever been in a helicopter, Sophie?’ asked Hoyle.

She shook her head but didn’t say anything.

Hoyle knew that he had to keep the little girl talking. So long as she was talking she couldn’t be thinking about jumping.

‘What about a plane? Have you been in a plane?’

‘We went to Italy last year,’ she said.

‘Yeah? I’ve never been to Italy. Was it fun?’

Sophie didn’t reply. She kissed her doll on the top of the head. ‘Don’t worry, Jessica, everything’s going to be okay.’

‘What do you like to eat, Sophie?’ asked Hoyle, trying to get her attention. He took a step towards her.

She looked over at him as if she’d forgotten that he was there. ‘Excuse me?’

He stopped moving. ‘What’s your favourite food?’

‘Pizza. Inga always lets me order pizza.’

‘Who’s Inga?’

‘My au pair.’ She forced a smile. ‘The au pair at the moment. We change au pairs a lot.’

‘But you like Inga?’

‘She’s okay.’

Hoyle felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He wanted to take the call, to tell Nightingale that everything was all right and that he was getting through to the girl, but he knew that it was important to stay focused. Nightingale had been right. The girl wasn’t scared, she wasn’t seeking attention; it was as if she had made up her mind what she was going to do and was just waiting for the right moment.

‘Why don’t we go inside and I’ll order us a pizza?’ said Hoyle. He moved closer to the side of the terrace. There were several potted plants and if he judged it right he’d be able to spring off one and jump over to the terrace where she was. Six feet. Seven at most. Then another four feet to get to her.

‘I’m not hungry,’ she said.

‘What about a drink? Do you like Coke? Or Pepsi?’

‘Coke, of course,’ she said scornfully.

And that was when Nightingale dropped from the sky.