Abigail: Chapter 48

By the time I parked the van at the building site it was almost dark. Floodlights were on and I could see a few figures dotted about but it was clear that most of the men had packed up for the night. I knocked on the door of Bill’s office, not really expecting a reply and, just like last time, it was locked and empty. I sighed. Just for once it would have been nice not to have go trudging about in the mud but today was not going to be that day. I pulled my coat tighter around me and walked towards the nearest figure.

“You alright love?”

“Hi there.” I didn’t recognise the man. “I’m looking for Mr Winkleman. Has he been on site today?”

“Not sure love. He sort of comes and goes like. Why, who’s asking?”

“Charlie Diamond.” I showed him my card.

“Private investigator?” He squinted his eyes to read it in the poor light. “What’s all this about?”

“Mr Winkleman’s been helping me with my investigation. I’m looking for Toby Rogers. Do you know him?”

He shook his head. “Don’t really know anyone love. Only started last week.”

“So you don’t know where Mr Winkleman lives?”

“Nope, sorry. Can’t help you there.”

“Is there anyone around who might know?”

“Have you tried in the office?”

I sighed. “Yep, no answer, office is locked.”

After going around in circles with the man for another couple of minutes I decided it was all a complete waste of time and went back to my van. I sat behind the wheel watching the comings and goings on the site. There weren’t many people around and I was about to start the engine and go home when I saw a figure walk to the office, take a bunch of keys out of his pocket, unlock the door and go in. He didn’t turn the light on but I could see the glow of something, maybe a mobile phone, moving round the office. Less than two minutes later the man came back out carrying a bundle of papers under his arm. He looked around before locking the office and heading straight towards the car park and me. I ducked down in my seat, thankful for the poor lighting, and watched as the man climbed into one of the cars and started his engine. Without even thinking about it I waited for him to pull away then started my engine and followed him.

I kept my distance as he drove, acutely aware that my van wasn’t exactly the ideal vehicle for tailing someone. The traffic was steady but as we moved further out of town it started to thin and I was worried he might notice me following him. I wasn’t really sure what I was hoping to achieve but with no sign of Bill on site, someone had to be keeping him up to date with progress. What better way than to have one of the men deliver things to you personally? Wherever the man was going, I was determined to find out.

When we stopped at a set of traffic lights I switched to the map on my phone to get an idea of where we were. I could see a housing estate up ahead and I was afraid that if he turned in there I might lose him. Thankfully though, when the lights changed and we started moving again, he drove straight past the turning for the estate and up the hill. Just one car stood between me and the man so I hung back a little further. Eventually I saw the car indicate right and turn into a large driveway. I kept going and as I drove past, I saw the man get out of the car, the paperwork in his hands. A little further up the road I saw another right turn, this time into a small street, so I turned in there, parked my van on the side of the road, and started walking back towards the mystery house.

I quickened my pace, keen to see who would open the door. The man was already walking inside by the time I peered over the edge of the hedge surrounding the property but just as I was thinking about looking for a rear entrance, I saw Bill’s head pop out from the door, looking out into the darkness. He turned and followed the man inside, closing the door behind them. I walked back to the van, congratulating myself for my wonderful investigative skills. Now I knew where Bill lived I could go back there tomorrow and get all the answers I needed. I was just thinking about phoning Rob to boast about my brilliance when my mobile burst into life. It was a number I didn’t recognise. I climbed into the van and swiped the phone to answer it.

“Hello, Charlie Diamond speaking.”

“Charlie, it’s Roland. Chap across the road from Muriel.”

“Roland! Hello! How are you doing?”

“Stop your yapping and listen.” He sounded even more gruff than the last time we’d spoken.

“Are you alright?”

“Ai, I’m fine. It’s our Muriel.”

“What’s happened?”

“Ryan came back, dunno when, didn’t see him, but she ‘eard him, through the walls. They’re like paper”

I smiled. “I know, she said.”

“She went round there, gave ‘im a bollocking for what he done to you. Daft cow, told ‘er to leave well alone.”

I held my breath. “Is she okay?”

“She’s in the ‘ospital. He gave her a right going over, roughed her up good and proper like.”

“Oh Roland that’s terrible! Do the police know? Did they catch him?”

“They came with the ambulance but she’s in no fit state to talk to anyone right now. They want a description. I tried but …”

“I know it’s not easy. Where is he now?”

“Dunno. Just up and vanished again. Just thought you should know.”

“Absolutely. Listen, I’ll be back over as quickly as I can. Maybe I can give the police a description. Will you see Muriel?

“Can’t get in to see her, me back’s gone again.”

“Okay, leave it with me. I’ll be there soon, tomorrow if I’m very lucky.”

After thanking him again for ringing I phoned Rob. We hadn’t spoken all weekend but I knew he’d want to help. I quickly filled him in on the details and he promised to make the necessary arrangements with work to get the time off. I started the engine and headed back to Gloddfa Bont. As I drove I thought about everything that had happened over the last few days. Bill would have to wait, I had more important things to deal with right now, but he definitely wasn’t off the hook and as soon as I got back from Barnstaple he’d better be ready to talk. I’d had just about enough messing about now. I was ready to finish this, one way or another.