The Next Girl(Detective Gina Harte #1)(65)

An overwhelming sense of loss flushed through her body and mind. She slumped back into the blankets and closed her eyes, and within minutes she was standing in the dark, staring in through the bay window. The curtains were closed but she could hear a baby crying. ‘I’m still here,’ she whispered as she sobbed outside their gate. ‘Don’t forget me.’





Forty-Two





Gina’s stomach had finally stopped rumbling. She wasn’t sure if Herman cake was her thing, but at least it filled the gap. She approached the door to Luke Jenkins’ house and took a deep breath, brushing her fingers through her tangled hair. There was no avoiding another chat with Luke. He needed to be more vigilant, on alert and suspicious of everything and everyone, no matter how insignificant. In her heart, she didn’t believe they were safe.

‘Inspector Harte,’ Luke said as he approached her from behind. He smiled and loosened his tie.

Gina stumbled back. ‘Apologies. I was just about to… Look, I know yesterday was strained—’

‘Sorry I made you jump. It should be me who apologises. It’s not been good around here lately and I know that none of this is your fault. Admittedly, I’ve been cursing you all for not pursuing Deborah’s disappearance more over the years, but I want to help things, not hinder them.’ Luke paused and rubbed his temples. ‘I had to talk with my children last night about all that’s been happening. Heidi is devastated and Max, he doesn’t understand. Either that or he’s pretending and doesn’t want to talk. But our family is made of tough stuff and we’ll pull through it. Debbie is made of tough stuff. Wherever she is, I know she’ll be fighting to get back with us. We have to be strong for her, and my job is to keep this family together.’ Luke looked away, towards the wall. ‘Whoever is watching us, he’ll be back and I’ll be waiting.’

Gina looked up at Luke. ‘Whatever you do, call me immediately. Don’t approach this person if you don’t have to. I will come straight away.’

‘I’ll do everything I need to do to protect my children.’

As the front door opened, the baby’s shrill screams escaped outside. ‘Hello, Inspector,’ Cathy said.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ Luke replied as he stepped into the house.

Cathy took his coat and hung it up. ‘Not to worry, you know I never mind. The children have both eaten and are watching TV. Isobel is due for a feed, as you can tell.’ Cathy grimaced as another wail pierced the hallway.

Gina followed the pair into the kitchen. Devina was sitting out of the way, in the corner. Cathy tested the bottle that was on the side and placed the teat into Isobel’s mouth. The little girl sucked contentedly as Cathy stroked her brow.

‘To what do we owe this visit, Inspector?’ Cathy asked.

Gina undid the buttons on her coat. The house was exceptionally warm. She felt her cheeks begin to redden as she fanned her face with her hand.

‘I know it’s hot in here,’ Cathy explained. ‘I’ve kept it warm for Isobel.’

‘Excuse me. I just have some calls to make. I’ll be back in a few minutes,’ Devina said as she stood and left the room, holding her phone.

Gina smiled as the social worker passed. ‘I just wanted to personally pop by to see how things were going and to tell you that I have organised regular drive-bys. Every couple of hours a PC will drive by and check on your house. After the other night and with all that’s been happening…’ Gina paused.

‘Do you know something you’re not telling us?’ Luke asked.

Gina looked up at him. ‘Since the attempted break-in and your report of being watched by a stranger, we feel it would only be right to keep a closer eye on what’s happening around here. We still don’t know whether this person has anything to do with Deborah’s disappearance, but we’re working hard to try and get to the bottom of what’s happening. We want to ensure that you are safe and that you feel safe. As you said yesterday, you have children in the house and we want to offer you some protection.’

‘Thank you for being honest,’ Luke said as he sat at the kitchen table. He grabbed the pack of nappies blocking his view and placed them on the floor. ‘Are you any closer to finding Debbie?’

‘Sorry.’ Gina shook her head. ‘There are several lines of investigation that we are following, but there’s nothing new to report at the moment. We have officers out, looking at every strand of information that we receive. As you know, I can’t promise you anything, but as soon as I find anything out, I will be the first to call you.’ Gina knew it wasn’t the answer Luke wanted. He wanted to know that the police were closing in on her whereabouts, that they’d narrowed down a list of suspects, that they were on a dead-cert trail that led to Deborah’s return, but Gina had nothing concrete to offer them. Cathy eased the teat from the sleeping baby’s mouth and held her towards Luke.

Luke stood and took the baby. ‘This little one needs her mummy, and I’m sure her mummy needs her too. I know I sound ungrateful sometimes, but thank you. Thank you for the patrols and thank you for not giving up. If I see or hear anything, I will call you immediately.’ He held the baby and paced the floor as the little one gently snored.

‘I’ll leave you both alone now.’ Cathy followed Gina out and opened the front door.