Their Lost Daughters (DI Jackman & DS Evans #2)(25)

Ethan took a deep breath. ‘Don’t be deceived by Toni, Inspector. She’s far cleverer than she lets on. What did I see in her? Well, I loved the way she kept true to herself, despite her family’s wealth. I loved the way she kicked against the system. I saw a free spirit, and I think I may know her better than she knows herself.’

Jackman turned into the lane leading to the chapel.

‘She’ll calm down as she grows up.’ Ethan spoke more like her mentor than a former boyfriend. ‘You might not believe it, but Toni can be really sweet when you get her away from her friends.’

Jackman pulled up and switched off the engine. In the sudden quiet Ethan said, ‘She had a close call, didn’t she?’

‘Yes, Ethan, she did.’ Jackman’s expression was grave. ‘About as close as it gets. We believe she narrowly escaped being abducted.’

‘Is she allowed visitors?’

‘She may be going home this afternoon, so ring first, but yes, I think it would do her good to see a friendly face.’

They got out of the car and walked up to the entrance. Jackman had decided to check the main chapel before they went into the cellar.

Ethan brushed plaster dust from his skinny jeans. ‘What a dump!’

‘Have you been in here before?’ Marie asked.

‘I was at home when the storm hit. I came down with my father and a few of the parishioners to check for damage.’

‘Did Nicholas go with you?’

The boy frowned. ‘Come to think of it, he did, which was pretty weird. He doesn’t usually help with anything.’

They scoured the old building for some ten minutes, finding nothing but dusty broken masonry and pigeon droppings.

‘Okay, let’s check the cellar, shall we?’

‘There’s a cellar?’ asked Ethan. ‘On these silty fens? I never knew that.’

Marie nodded. ‘Well, I suppose it’s a crypt really. There’s a door round the back.’

They watched his face, but saw only mild surprise. It intensified when he watched them lift aside matted nettles and brambles to expose the steps down to the door.

‘Bloody hell!’ He glanced at Marie and shook his head in disbelief. ‘I bet my father doesn’t know about this. What do you think is down there?’

‘Let’s find out, shall we?’ Jackman decided that the boy actually looked genuinely stunned by their discovery.

Marie tried the smallest of the three keys into the lock. The old door swung open more smoothly than it ought to have done, and they stepped inside.

The crypt was a large open area. It had a stone floor, a low ceiling, and the remnants of one mega party.

Ethan let out a low whistle.

Marie glanced at Jackman. ‘I think we just found one of the venues for that drinking club.’

Jackman gazed around the crypt. Bottles, cans, plastic glasses, cigarette packets and dog-ends, and dozens of spent candles were strewn across the floor.

‘This is gross.’ Ethan’s navy and white Converse boot kicked at a used condom. ‘This was a place of worship.’

Jackman noted the disgust on his face. Ethan might be a student radical, but his father’s influence was clearly still there.

‘So was Medmenham Abbey,’ said Jackman, ‘And look what the Hellfire Club used that for.’

‘It’s still gross.’

‘It is. Now, I wonder how the partygoers got hold of the key for this place?’ Marie directed a shrewd glance and a raised eyebrow towards Ethan.

Ethan Barley stared back, wide eyed. ‘Nick? Oh no, surely you can’t think—?’

‘I do, actually.’

Jackman was picking his way through crushed lager cans and discarded crisp packets. He called back, ‘Sorry, Ethan, but I’m with Marie on this. I think your brother is more savvy than you give him credit for.’

Ethan turned pale. ‘My father will kill him if he finds out.’

‘I hope you mean that figuratively.’

The boy said nothing.

‘I am afraid that we are going to need these keys,’ said Marie, dangling the ring on her index finger. ‘We need to seal this place up, and get a SOCO down here.’

‘Forensics?’ Ethan’s eyes grew wider.

‘This may have been the place that Toni and Emily were brought to.’ Marie said gently.

He stared at the floor. ‘If you find evidence that my brother has something to do with this, he’ll be in serious trouble, won’t he?’

‘Up to his sticky-out ears, I’m afraid.’ Marie pushed her hands deep into her pockets. ‘Unless, of course, you could get him to talk to us. We’d be a lot more lenient with him then.’

‘And, Ethan, we need to know if there has been another key cut,’ Jackman added. ‘Do you think you could find out for us? Meanwhile we’ll say nothing about suspecting that Nicholas may be involved.’

‘I need some air.’

Ethan walked slowly back through the door and up the steps. Shoulders hunched, he went over to a low wall that edged the churchyard, and sat down heavily.

Jackman went over and sat down beside him. ‘We could be wrong. But we have to find out what’s going on, you realise that, don’t you, Ethan?’

Ethan nodded. ‘I’ll help — for my family’s sake, and for Toni and the other girl.’ He looked at Jackman. ‘Is this Emily in serious danger?’