Abigail: Chapter 15
Less than two days later I pulled into a car park in the middle of Barnstaple and headed towards the bank. I stood next to the cash machine and tried to imagine Toby Rogers standing in this very spot. It was a fairly nondescript town and I couldn't understand what would bring him here. If it actually was him of course, that still remained to be seen. I looked around and couldn’t see any cameras but that didn’t mean there weren’t any so I went inside to see what information I could charm out of one of the members of staff.
I’d just walked in when my phone rang. Rob, yet again. I’d been ignoring him since Saturday afternoon but now I was here and he couldn't talk me out of it I decided it wouldn't hurt to speak to him.
“Where are you?” He sounded furious.
“Hello Rob. Nice to hear from you.”
“I know you're not home, I’ve been there …”
“You were at my house? Are you stalking me?” I laughed to take the edge off.
“You weren’t answering your phone. Did you get my texts?”
“Yes, but I am a grown-up. Besides, you wouldn’t have believed me. Then you’d have tried to stop me.”
I heard Rob sigh. “Where are you? If you’ve locked yourself out of your house again …”
“One time, that happened one time. If you must know, I’m in Barnstaple.”
“Barnstaple? How did you get there?”
“I drove. It’s quite pretty. Flat, but pretty.” I glanced up to see a lady watching me. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’m in the bank. I’ll call you when I’m done. Bye for now.” I did my best to sound cheery and kind, just in case the lady could hear me.
When the phone was safely on silent in the bottom of my bag I headed in her direction.
“Good morning madam. How may I help you this morning?” She smiled and I was reminded of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.
“Hi there. I was hoping to speak with the manager. It’s a bit of a delicate situation.”
I showed her my card and watched as she spoke to one of her colleagues. They kept their voices low and glanced at me occasionally as they spoke. Just as I was about to give up all hope, the first lady returned.
“Miss Jeffries will help you.” She led me towards a small office partitioned off with a glass wall where the second lady was waiting for me.
She stood when I walked in and shook my hand. “Annabel Jeffries. Please, take a seat. How can I help?”
I pulled a photo of Toby out of my folder and showed it to her. “Do you recognise this man?”
She looked carefully but then shook her head. “Can’t say I do. Should I? Is he local?”
“His name’s Toby. He’s been missing since June.”
“Oh that’s terrible!”
“His wife’s hired me to find him. Or …” I hesitated. “Find out what happened to him.”
“You mean you think he’s …”
“Possibly. It’s too soon to tell. But we have one lead, which is why I’m here.”
I told her about the mystery transactions, explained how far I’d travelled to get this information today, even mentioned Toby’s beautiful wife and two dear children but no matter what I said, Annabel’s answer was the same. “I’m afraid we don’t have CCTV. Such a small town, we’ve never needed it.”
I was about to admit defeat when she said five words that filled my heart with hope. “Have you tried the council?”
Half an hour later I was sitting in another office in another part of town, crossing my fingers and hoping. A pilot CCTV system was in operation in some parts of Barnstaple. Low key and completely under the radar of most of the town’s population, the local council were secretly worried about an increase in anti-social behaviour, hence the CCTV. I smiled when the sincere looking man in front of me spoke. It was clear he loved the town and took any slights against its reputation very personally. He introduced himself as Steve, council employee for the last nineteen years, he told me proudly. I shook his hand and did my best to look suitably impressed. Pleasantries over with, I pulled the folder from my bag, took one of my cards out to give to him, and got ready with my best interrogation face on. I pressed the button to start the voice recorder on my phone and cleared my throat.
“So Steve, do you have any cameras in …” I looked down at my notes. “Queen Street. Near the bank?”
“Ah now that’s an interesting question. What you really need is Boutport Street but …”
I felt my eyes glazing over as he spoke. I didn’t care who was at which meeting when a decision was finally voted on. It didn’t matter to me that Mr whoever objected on whatever grounds. I just wanted a simple yes or no.
“Let me stop you there Steve. Do you have cameras on the junction between Queen Street and Boutport Street?”
“Yes.”
“That’s brilliant! Can I see it?”
I was so excited, I was amazed he couldn’t hear the blood rushing through my ears. They had CCTV. I could prove with actual concrete evidence that the person using the cash machine to make the withdrawal was Toby. If not Toby, at the very least I could prove that it wasn’t Abigail. That had to be grounds enough for Rob and his colleagues to put some weight behind my investigation. I was so caught up in congratulating myself on another job well done, it took me a moment to register Steve’s reply.
He shook his head solemnly. “No.”
Oh. “That’s disappointing Steve.” I showed him my card again. “Did I mention that there’s a wife at home in South Wales missing her husband? Would be lovely to see them reunited in time for Christmas, don’t you think?”
“I’m sure that would be quite delightful Ms Diamond, family is important, but the Protection of Freedoms Act exists for a reason. We are not beyond reproach.”
“I understand but …”
“No buts Ms Diamond.”
“And there are no exceptions to be made? Under any circumstances?” I crossed my fingers under the desk and gave him what I hoped was a winning smile.
He looked at the floor, at his watch, at the door, anywhere other than at me. The silence was deafening. “Well, there could be one exception. But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
My stomach lurched. “Go on?”