Their Lost Daughters (DI Jackman & DS Evans #2)(77)

‘I don’t have time, sir. There’s something about all this that isn’t right. All I need is to get back to the CID room where someone can make me a very strong coffee with enough sugar in it to rot every tooth in my head.’

‘Has anyone ever told you that you are the most stubborn and obstinate woman . . . ?’

‘Yes, sir, you did, last week, and then again a few days before . . .’

‘Shut up, Marie, or I’ll get someone to stitch your mouth shut!’

*

Bill Hickey was behind with his work. With the boss away, things had backed up, especially the paperwork. He had a small office area in a converted store attached to one of the barns, and although it was late, he decided to stay on and check the invoices. Bill was a methodical man, and the heap of unopened mail was bothering him.

Just as he was throwing the last torn envelope into the bin, he glanced out of the window, and saw a light inside the farmhouse.

The police had left some while ago, telling him that Micah Lee had been apprehended again. Mr Tanner wasn’t home yet, so who the hell . . . ? Bill jumped up, grabbed his keys from the desk, and ran around the barn and across to the house.

The front door was unlocked. Bill had checked it himself after the police left, and it had been properly secured then. He frowned, took a deep breath and slipped inside.

He stood just inside the door and heard sounds coming from the upper floor. It sounded as if the intruder was in Tanner’s room.

For a moment Bill was undecided what to do. He knew he should call the police, but he was curious to see who it was in the boss’s bedroom. He wasn’t afraid. Bill had done a stint in the army and he still kept himself in good shape. As he moved towards the stairs, he decided to call the police — after he’d got the burglar by the scruff of the neck.

Bill moved carefully along the landing. He had been right about where the thief was. Tanner’s door stood open, and Bill could see a hunched figure directing a torch beam at a large wooden desk in the far corner of the room.

Bill was across the floor and had the man in an arm lock before the intruder even realised what was happening.

He screamed and tried to wriggle away, but he was no match for Bill, who dragged him up and across to the doorway, where he switched on the light.

‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ Bill growled.

He was staring at the terrified face of a young man.

‘I . . . I . . .’ His mouth began to tremble.

Bill frowned. This wasn’t exactly your usual type of robber. He loosened his grip a little. ‘Okay, what were you after? Money?’ He pointed with his free hand towards the jumble of papers and items on the desk. ‘Because clearly you were looking for something.’

Again he received no answer. The young man seemed to be fighting back tears.

Bill’s frown deepened. The intruder had no bag with him, had nothing stuffed into the pockets of his old check jacket, and seemed totally unequipped for a burglary. Then Bill remembered the front door. Unlocked, but not forced.

He thrust a hand into the jacket pockets, and pulled out an old-style door key. Exactly the same design as the one on his own keyring.

‘Who the hell are you?’ asked Bill, pushing his captive ahead of him towards the desk. ‘Why have you got a key? And what were you doing with the boss’s things?’ He stopped talking as his eyes fell on the items lying on the desk.

Credit cards, an open wallet, a Filofax, a signet ring. And a passport?

As soon as he saw the name “Tanner,” Bill tightened his hold on his captive and picked up the telephone.

*

‘It’s Bill Hickey, sir, he’s asking for you.’

Jackman listened to the hurried message, then said, ‘Stay there. I’ll get some officers over to you straightaway.’ He hung up and looked at the others. ‘That’s the farm manager at Micah’s lodgings. He’s caught an intruder.’ He downed his coffee and grabbed his jacket. ‘Gary, ask uniform if they could get a car over there. But from what Hickey just told me, I think our presence is required as well. Are you up to this, Marie?’

‘Two more Paracetamol and I’m good to go,’ Marie rasped.

*

The intruder sat on the end of the bed with his head bowed. They recognised him immediately.

‘Asher Leyton?’ Jackman said incredulously. ‘I think you have a lot of explaining to do, don’t you?’

Asher slowly looked up at him. His face was a sickly white, his hair unkempt and his eyes red and sore. ‘I’ve nothing to say,’ he whispered.

‘Well, I think you have,’ said Jackman. ‘What is your connection with Mr Toby Tanner? And what were you doing with his belongings? Particularly with his passport.’

Asher shook his head and remained silent.

‘Sir?’ Marie was checking the items on the desk with gloved fingers. She lifted up the Filofax and turned the pages. ‘There’s no entry in his diary about travelling abroad, and no mention of tickets or boarding cards or flight information either.’

Jackman’s gaze travelled from Asher Leyton to Bill Hickey. ‘You said he went to Germany?’

The big man shrugged and looked puzzled. ‘That’s what he told me. He always made his own arrangements for things like that, so . . . I don’t understand.’

‘Perhaps you could explain, Mr Leyton?’ asked Jackman icily. ‘Oh yes, and your lovely fiancée has been to see us. She spoke to Sergeant Evans here. The poor girl is worried sick. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to know that you’re safe.’ He paused, ‘Although I’m not sure she’ll be quite so pleased about the house-breaking charge.’