Abigail: Chapter 30

I turned off the radio as I pulled into McDonald’s car park. After finding a space with a view of the restaurant I sat in the van for a moment to watch the movements of the people inside. Muriel hadn’t been able to confirm what time Ryan had left for work that morning but she seemed convinced that he’d be here so after thanking her once again for all her help and promising that I’d come back after seeing Ryan to give a full debrief, I’d headed straight here.

While I watched the people milling about inside I rang Abigail’s house. I’d not spoken to her since Rob and I had come back from meeting Toby’s parents and she deserved a quick update. A glance at the time confirmed she should be back from picking the kids up from school so I dialled her number.

“Hello?”

“Hi Abigail? It’s Charlie. How are you doing?”

“Charlie! I haven’t heard from you for days. What’s happening? Do you have news?” I heard a sharp intake of breath. “Oh! Is that why you’re ringing?”

“Nothing like that. Sorry, didn’t mean to alarm you. Just been lots going on. I’m following some leads related to those bank transactions.”

“And?”

“Nothing concrete yet. I really just wanted to ring to let you know I’m in Barnstaple but I’ll be back at the end of the week and will call round then.”

“So no news?”

“I’m working on it.”

“And you haven’t found him?”

“Sorry Abigail no, I haven’t found him.” I heard a sob at the other end of the line. “But I won’t give up. Trust me.” A tap on the window made me look up and I saw Ryan standing outside my van. “I need to go Abigail but I promise I’ll be back in a couple of days.”

I didn’t like having to leave her when she was upset but with Rob’s reminder about not being her social worker ringing my ears and the lead I was chasing standing quite literally just a finger tip away, I had to stayed focussed.

I opened the window. “Hello Ryan. Want to get in?” I gestured to the passenger seat.

He walked round the van and climbed in. “Mrs Flanagan said you might try and find me.”

“Are you surprised? After what you told her about Toby, I’m just sorry you didn’t ring me yourself.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Matters to me.” I pointed to the cut on his nose. “What happened?”

“He came out of nowhere didn’t he. Just started laying into me for no reason.”

“Toby did this?”

“Yeah.” He looked down and started picking dirt out of his fingernails.

“Are you sure it was Toby?”

“Wouldn’t say it was him if it wasn’t would I? I’m not a liar!”

“I never said you were. It’s just, the old guy across the road, he saw you, both of you. He said the guy who you were fighting with was bigger, taller.”

“Yeah he was. He had a right mean swing on ‘im. I’m lucky he didn’t break my bloody nose!”

“You just said Toby did this.”

“He did.” He picked at his fingers again. “I mean, it wasn’t actually him. But I know Toby put him up to it. I know it!”

“Hold on, are you telling me I’ve just driven all the way from South Wales because you reckon Toby asked some bloke to break your nose?” I was so cross I wanted to break his nose myself. “Have you got any idea how long it takes to drive from South Wales to Barnstaple? Have you? So now what? I just turn around and drive all the way back again?”

He didn’t say anything but had the good grace to look slightly guilty. I sat there considering my options while he brooded. I was here now and my hotel was booked so I might as well ask around, see if anyone happened to have seen Toby. I turned back to Ryan.

“Why would Toby want to beat you up?”

“I broke the code.”

“The what?”

“The code. It’s a man thing. Stick together no matter what. Don’t rat on your mates. Never pull the same bird. And if anyone comes sniffing round asking questions, keep your mouth shut. The code. And I broke it.”

“And you believe that rubbish?”

He shrugged. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“What, because I’m a bird?” I couldn’t decide between laughing and smacking him around the head. “Okay I’ll play along. Let’s suppose for one moment that you’re right and Toby really would send someone round to beat you up because you “broke the code”, he’s long gone. How would he ever find out?”

Ryan looked shocked. “I can’t tell you that!”

“Why not?”

“He already had me beaten up. What’s he going to do to me if I tell you everything?” He looked genuinely terrified and as ridiculous a notion as it sounded, I could at least see his logic. He’d also inadvertently told me that he hadn’t been completely straight with me last time.

I turned to face Ryan, forcing him to make eye contact. “You’ve seen him haven’t you?”

He looked at the floor but didn’t say anything.

“Ryan, look at me.”

Still he kept his eyes fixed on a point somewhere just above his left shoe.

“If he’s out there he’ll already know that you’re talking to me today, you approached me remember, so tell me what I need to know and I can help you.”

Remembering what Muriel had told me I tried one more tactic. “Think about your girlfriend Ryan. How’s she going to feel if you wind up in the hospital somewhere? Or your poor mum. You won’t be able to give money to them if you can’t work.”

“That’s why I can’t tell you. If I keep my mouth shut he’ll leave me alone.”

“It’s too late for that Ryan. I just told you, he’s seen you getting into my van. He can’t hear what you’re saying so he’ll have to guess. What do you think his guess will be Ryan? Tell me what you know and I can help you. I have big strong friends with police badges and ways to keep people like you safe.”

“Okay I’ll tell you. But not here.”