Abigail: Chapter 22
After listening to Mike tell me more about how little he’d known Toby, I thanked him for his time and invited him to keep my card in case he thought of anything else I needed to know. We were about to get out of the van when a man knocked on Mike’s window.
“What’s up? You find Pete and Andy?”
The man shook his head. “That’s what I came over to tell you. They didn’t come in this morning.”
“Did they phone in sick?”
“Nope. Just got a message that they haven’t come in.”
“Right. Thanks mate.” Mike turned to me. “I guess you’re out of luck.”
“Does this happen a lot? People not turning up?”
Mike shrugged. “Sometimes. This time of year there’s a lot of it about.”
“Could you give me a ring when they get back to work? I’ll come out and see them.”
“Of course. Sorry you’ve had a wasted trip today though.”
I gave Mike my most reassuring smile. “It’s not been a waste at all. You’ve been very helpful.” I offered him my hand and then climbed out of the van.
On my way back to my van I decided to say goodbye to Bill so I poked my head round the side of his office door without knocking.
“I’m off now Bill.”
He got up from behind his desk when he saw me and offered me his hand. “Thanks for coming Charlie. Did you get everything you needed?”
“It was a start. I’ll be back soon though. Still got a few of the lads to talk to.” I turned and started walking towards the door but then paused and turned back to Bill. “Actually, one more question Bill. Whose car did you and Toby ride to work in? Yours or his?”
“Does it matter?”
“I don’t know yet. But it might.”
“His. Why?”
“Dunno. You just didn’t mention it and I wondered if there was a reason why?”
“I guess it slipped my mind.”
“Okay. Thanks Bill.” I left without saying anything else.
When I got back to the van I could see an outline standing at the window of Bill’s office and I shivered. For someone who’d seemed so happy to help, he’d gone cold remarkably quickly. Abigail’s father had him pegged as a nice guy but I was beginning to have my doubts. I sat in the van for a few minutes making notes. On something of a whim I typed Bill’s name into Google and his face soon smiled out at me from the screen on my phone. I scrolled through the results and found his Facebook profile. His public information was limited to a couple of posts about awards his building company had been nominated for and a dull photo of him and a lady who I presumed was his wife, standing in front of a beautiful sunset, cocktail glasses in hand. There was little I loathed more than mundane holiday photos but now I knew Bill and Toby travelled together, I decided his photo could be useful so I saved a copy. For what I was planning next, Bill’s photo might be just what I needed.
I pulled into the first service station I passed on the M4 and went into the main building. The place was surprisingly quiet for mid-afternoon on a Wednesday and it didn’t take long to spot a member of staff wandering around picking up litter. I watched him work from a distance and noticed that, unlike most of his colleagues tied up with serving customers, this gentleman had the freedom to watch the world go by, safe from behind his litter cart. He’d stop every now and then to use the long-handled brush to sweep at an invisible mark on the floor. It might not be the most prestigious job in the world but when it came to relaxed occupations, there couldn’t be many less stressful than his. After observing him for a few moments I decided that if anyone was to have noticed Toby or Bill, it would be this man. The very next time he paused to sweep I approached him.
“Excuse me sir, could I have a word?”
The man looked behind him. “With me?”
I nodded. “If you don’t mind?” I took one of my cards out of my bag and showed it to him. “Charlie Diamond, private investigator.”
“Am I in trouble? If it’s about last week, it was a misunderstanding.”
“I don’t know anything about that. I just wondered if you’d seen this man?” I showed him Toby’s photo. “He might look a little older, changed his hair colour possibly.”
“Don’t think so. When was he here?”
“I’m not entirely sure. Could have been any time in the last year or so.”
The man chuckled. “That narrows it down then.”
I showed him the photo of Bill Winkleman on my phone. “How about this man? The two men might have been travelling together.”
“What’s all this about?”
“The younger guy’s missing. I’m trying to find him.”
“And this one?” He gestured to my phone.
“They used to car share.”
“And you’re worried he might have done him in?”
“Nothing like that. I’m just trying to build a picture of his movements. Daily habits. Places he was known to frequent.”
“Sorry love, can’t help you. Do you know how many service stations there are along the M4?”
I shook my head.
“Eleven. And that’s not counting the ones on the minor roads that lead off from here. Where’d you say your mystery man was travelling to?”
“Mostly between here and the west.”
“Ah, well that narrows it down considerably. There’s only two service stations west of here. Swansea and Pont Abraham. They’re both pretty small too so you might have a chance. Tell you what, have you got a photo you can leave with me? I can keep my eyes open and let you know if I see them.”
“Would you? That would be brilliant! Thanks!” The only photo I had of Bill was the one on my phone but thankfully my new friend had a smartphone so I sent it to him in a message. “Keep my card. And ring me any time. Sorry, what’s your name?”
“Jack. Jack Willis.” He doffed an imaginary cap at me.
“Good to meet you Jack Willis.”
I left the service station with a bubble of excitement in my tummy. I couldn’t possibly be everywhere at once but thanks to my ever expanding network, I was starting to believe that when Toby showed up, I’d have ears and eyes in the right place to spot him. I ignored the voice in my head reminding me it was if, not when. I had to stay positive. Anything else was not an option.