For the Sake of the Children: The first Chloe Webster thriller (Chloe Webster Thrillers Book 1) (8 page)

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Chloe was relieved to see the lights of home welcoming her as she closed the garden gate and made her way up to the cottage door. It had been another trying day and she really hoped things would settle down soon. The smell of fish and chips hit her as she entered the hallway and began to remove her heavy winter coat.

‘Dad, you really are spoiling me. I’m still trying to shift these extra Christmas pounds you know.’ She said the words loudly without knowing where her father was exactly, but knowing that he would hear her wherever he was in the compact, cosy cottage.

‘Don’t be daft; you haven’t got a spare ounce on you.’ He appeared at the kitchen door. Come on, it was a real effort fetching these with this leg of mine playing up. And yes, before you say anything, I did call the doctor today. I’m seeing her next week.’

‘Good, glad to hear it. Right, you sit down and I’ll get some plates and a couple of drinks.’

She had to admit that it was a good idea as she tucked into the meal. It was a treat for both of them as they hardly ever had takeaway food, and it was all the more tasty because of it.

‘Any better today?’ asked her father.

‘Worse,’ she sighed. ‘Don’t ask. It’s nothing to worry about.’

But he did worry about her. They ate in silence for a minute or two before he spoke again.

‘You know you don’t have to stay there if you really don’t like it. The most important thing is that you’re happy. You can always find somewhere else, somewhere more like the old place.’

‘I know dad, but I can’t just jack it in after two days. Anyway, it’s not
that
bad. I’ve just got a few tricky matters to deal with and no doubt some misunderstandings along the way. Really, dad, I’m fine.’

‘Well if you say so.’ Her father knew to drop it then. His daughter had worked hard to get this far and her career was important to her. There was only so much he could say to influence her. ‘Any plans for tonight?’

She grinned at him. ‘Actually I have. I’m going to the theatre.’

‘Oh yeah, anyone I know?’

‘No, just a friend from work. I won’t be late.’

‘You go and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it and you probably need it. Let your hair down a little.’

‘It’s just the theatre, dad.’

‘I know, but try to relax and enjoy it. It’s no good for you all this stress, even at your age.’

‘I’ll be fine. I’d better go and get ready. Thanks for the fish and chips.’

Chloe skipped off upstairs and her father carried the plates over to the sink. He longed to see his daughter happy and the move she had made to this new firm worried him. It sounded to him like she was working with a bunch of arrogant, self-centred idiots. He wondered if all civilian jobs were like that. In the army he had worked with people who would probably give their own lives to save his, people with whom he had shared everything and anything; true comradery and he missed it. He placed the clean plates on the side board to dry, and then winced as the angry pain in his leg fired again.

A car hooted outside.

‘Chloe love, is that for you?’ he called.

Nathan sat in the police station interview room, head in hands. He felt helpless. Hollow. He’d left the park and searched the nearby roads and shops, calling his daughter’s name. After an hour or so a police car had pulled up and offered assistance. Someone must have called them. He collapsed into the car, relieved that help had arrived, but also distraught that he had to stop searching and accompany them to the police station. They assured him that they were doing everything they could to find Francesca, but isn’t that what they always said? He felt so useless sat here when he should be out looking.

‘Mr Whitehurst, can we just go through this one more time please?’ The officer spoke very good English, albeit with a heavy Dutch accent.

‘Yes, but why aren’t you out
looking
for her?’

‘We are, Mr Whitehurst, we are, but it is important that we know all the facts. I have officers searching the streets all around the area, but we need to know as much as possible about what happened and what you saw.’

Nathan ran his hands over his face and back through his thinning hair. ‘She was playing on the slide, and then I got talking to this guy who wanted to know about hotels or something. I was sure I could see Francesca playing, but when I approached her it wasn’t her. And that’s when I realised…’

His voice broke and the police officer reached over and refilled his glass with water from a jug.

‘I know it’s hard Mr Whitehurst. This man, what did he look like?’

‘He was big, really big, but not fat. Tall and thick-set, and he was wearing a long black coat.’

‘Leather?’

‘No, more like a raincoat I think.’

‘And his face?’

‘I don’t recall. He was standing over me and I think his scarf was covering some of it, and to be honest I was too busy looking at Francesca to pay much attention to him.’

The police officer picked up the telephone on the desk and spoke quickly in Dutch. He replaced the receiver and looked at Nathan.

‘Okay Mr Whitehurst. My officers have the description and they are looking out for him as we speak. We’ll find your daughter sir, I promise.’

But Nathan wasn’t reassured by the words. It was obvious that the police thought she had been abducted. Had he really been the victim of a targeted operation? Was the big man deliberately distracting him whilst someone else snatched her?

Where is she? What’s happening to her?

But he knew he had to stay focused and not think about such things for Francesca’s sake as well as his own. The thoughts trying to force their way into his mind would only send him over the edge. The stress that had flooded his body was overwhelming and he prayed he would wake up from this nightmare and that his daughter would be safely back by his side.

The interview room door was flung open and his wife staggered in, her eyes surrounded by streaks of make-up. He stood up and took hold of her as she fell into his arms.

‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.’ It was all he could say. His wife didn’t reply, and her body racked as she sobbed into his chest.

‘What time is it?’ called Chloe from the top of the stairs.

‘Ten to seven,’ replied her father.

‘Bloody hell he’s early. Hang on, I’ll be down in a minute.’

Her father opened the front door and could immediately see why his daughter had agreed to go out with the man standing before him. He had an engaging smile that reminded him of a Hollywood movie star, his dark hair neatly parted to one side and a complexion so clear that he might just have come from a session with a makeup artist. He realised he was staring.

‘I’m sorry, hello, you’ve come for Chloe of course. She won’t be long. I’m her father, Jack.’

‘Ben. I’m pleased to meet you. You have a lovely home. It’s beautiful round here isn’t it?’

‘Yeah it’s quiet; we certainly like it. Won’t you come in? I’m sure she’ll be down…’

‘Hi Ben.’ Chloe came thundering down the stairs. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, the time just flew by.’

‘Not a problem, I’m a few minutes early I think. I was just saying to your father how lovely it is around here.’

‘Yes, right, well, shall we make a move? It starts at half past doesn’t it?’ Chloe felt like an awkward fourteen year old, standing there between her father and her date.

My date? Is that what he is?

‘Yes, we’d better get going. Nice to meet you Jack.’

‘And you Ben. Look after her for me won’t you?’ He couldn’t help himself. He’d looked after her all his life and there was nothing he could do to stop the protective instinct from surfacing.

‘Don’t worry, you can count on me sir.’

Chloe followed Ben down to the car and he opened the door for her. She glanced back at her father who gave her a discreet thumbs-up. She rolled her eyes at him and then turned and sank into the warm leather seat of Ben’s BMW, waving to her father as the car pulled away into the night.

‘Sorry about that,’ she said.

‘Oh it’s my fault. As I say, I was a little early. The traffic was much lighter than I thought it would be.’

‘No, I mean about my dad. I really should find a place of my own. He’s always nagging me to get somewhere. It’s a bit embarrassing me still living at home at twenty four.’

‘I think it’s rather sweet. He’s clearly very fond of you. But then why wouldn’t he be, he’s your father after all?’

Chloe laughed. She looked out into the night as they made the journey into Sheffield through open countryside. There was still a stubborn mist which, together with the dark sky, meant there wasn’t much to appreciate out there.

‘So, tell me something about Ben.’

‘Well, there isn’t much to tell really. I’m your typical twenty seven year old lawyer. Trained and bred by Anderson, Gormley and Drake.’

‘I was thinking more of the
real
Ben; the person not the lawyer.’

‘Ah, I see. Well, I like going to the theatre…’

‘Well, duh, obviously.’

‘Ha, yes. You could have guessed that. Oh I don’t know, I like going out and socialising, the usual twenty-something stuff. What about you?’

‘Yeah, the same kind of things I suppose. You have a nice car.’

‘Thanks, my pride and joy.’

The drive into Sheffield was trouble free and they chatted effortlessly about their families and previous holidays and experiences. He was definitely easy to talk to and Chloe felt very comfortable in his presence. Ben parked up on a side street about a five minute walk away from the Crucible Theatre. Rain was beginning to fall as they climbed out of the car and Ben instantly appeared next to her with a huge golfing umbrella.

‘Why thank you kind sir!’

‘It’s a pleasure, my lady.’

She linked his arm and they walked slowly through the town. People hurried around them in the rain, but Chloe was enjoying the walk too much to be tempted to rush.

‘What do you think of Ray?’ she asked. It was the first time either of them had mentioned work.

‘Oh he’s okay, really. Certainly looks after his clients well. Has a reputation for it and they seem to be very loyal to him.’

‘I don’t like him. He lacks people skills.’

He laughed. ‘I know what you mean, but as I say, he gets the job done and is well respected for it. Maybe you just need to give him a chance. Maybe try doing as he asks?’ He raised his voice as if it were a question. Chloe didn’t know quite what to make of this last comment, but she didn’t want to spoil what had been an enjoyable evening so far, so she changed the subject.

‘I can see the lights of the theatre, we’re nearly there. Have you seen this play before?’

‘No, I just liked the look of it to be honest. You never really know with comedies, they can be a bit hit and miss, so let’s hope it’s funny.’

‘Well even if it’s not, I’m having a good time,’ said Chloe, coyly.

She looked across and he smiled back at her.

‘Me too.’

Nathan sat clutching his wife’s hand. The clock on the wall taunted him that it was five thirty in the morning, more than twelve hours since Francesca had disappeared. There was no chance of either of them sleeping, and he wondered if they would ever be able to sleep peacefully again.

Of course we will. They’ll find her. They have to find her.

His wife rested her head on his shoulder. They were both exhausted but despite the insistence of the police to go back to the hotel, they couldn’t face leaving without their daughter. They longed for news, a development, a glimmer of hope - something,
anything
to cling on to.

The officer came back into the room and sat down opposite them.

‘I think we have something…’

‘You’ve found her?’ They both said it at the same time, and it might even have been funny in different circumstances.

‘I’m afraid not. But we do have a possible sighting.’

‘Where? Can we come with you?’ Nathan wasn’t even thinking as he spoke, it was just a reaction.

The officer raised his hands as if to try to calm them.

‘Please, Mr Whitehurst, let me explain. It’s not as straightforward as that. I wish it was, believe me, but we have to follow procedures. Now listen, we have received a call from Humberside police in England. Someone called them from the ferry terminal. They saw a young girl with two men and thought she looked out of place. Now don’t worry when I say this but it seems she was distressed. I’m sorry Mrs Whitehurst, I know this is difficult. Here, have another tissue. Now, the person was suspicious enough to get a closer look and decided in the end to call the police. They contacted us to see if we had any reports of missing children.’

‘She’s in England?’ Nathan felt a strange sense of comfort in thinking his daughter was back in her home country. This was the
something
they’d been waiting for. Not the happy ending yet, but definitely progress.

‘She might be, yes. We fully briefed the English police, obviously. The ferry docked at Hull about an hour ago. Do you know Hull?’

‘I’ve heard of it, yes, but I’ve never been there. It’s up on the north east coast somewhere I think.’ Nathan squeezed his wife’s hand even tighter.

‘That’s right. Now, the caller said he saw a girl with blonde hair wearing a red coat, and as I say, he thought she looked distressed. I know this is not the end of it Mr Whitehurst, but if it was her, this is good news, believe me.’

Nathan nodded. ‘Did the caller say anything else?’

‘He said the girl walked off the boat with two men. He tried to follow them but apparently lost them in the crowds.’ The police officer was reading the words from a piece of paper in front of him. ‘It doesn’t seem that he said anything else and unfortunately he didn’t leave his name or contact details. Oh, wait a minute, there is one other thing. Apparently he said the girl had remarkable eyes.’

‘That’s her!’