Abigail: Chapter 54

Before we made our final visit of the day I wanted to call back at the building site with Ryan’s photo. I knew that the chances of him having been seen either working on site or loitering about were slim but I wanted to cover all angles. It also gave me the perfect excuse to check if Bill Winkleman was on site. When we arrived I asked Rob to wait for me in the car.

“Think I’ll cramp your style?” he teased.

“Yes actually.”

He pulled a face.

“Don’t be like that,” I said. “I’ve just built up a certain rapport with the lads here now and with those shoes, you scream copper from a mile away.”

“Charming!” He shrugged and pulled out his phone. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll just sit here and wait.”

“Thanks Rob.”

I jumped out of the car and headed over to where the men were working. A few of them looked up and gave me a wave when they saw me coming so I waved back.

When I got close enough I called out to them. “Afternoon gents.”

“Charlie Diamond, well this is a pleasant surprise.” It was Mike, one of the general managers.

“Good to see you Mike.” I shook his hand. “Just a quick visit. I wondered if you could take a look at this photo and tell me if you recognise the lad?”

I took my phone out of my pocket and showed him Ryan’s picture. Mike looked at it but soon shook his head. “Can’t say I do. Should I?”

“He’s just a line of enquiry I’m following up.” I turned to the other boys who were standing around now listening to our conversation. “What about you guys?”

My phone was passed between them but the answer remained the same. No-one on site had ever seen anyone who looked like Ryan. Despite expecting as much I was still disappointed. There had to be some connection between Ryan and Toby, I just needed to keep looking.

I turned back to Mike. “One more thing Mike. Is Mr Winkleman around today? I was hoping he might take a look too.”

“Sorry Charlie, he’s not been in all week.”

“That’s a shame. Do you know where I might find him? Home address? A second office?”

Another negative. Luckily for me I knew just the place to look for him but I wasn’t about to tell them that. After thanking Mike and the rest of the boys for their help I went back to the car.

“No luck?” Rob asked when he saw my face.

“Nothing.”

“Where to next?”

I gave him directions for Bill’s house as we went, thankful that I’d had the foresight to track the journey on my phone the last time I’d driven these roads, and it wasn’t long before we were back outside Bill’s house. 

“It’s the one on the right there,” I said, pointing out the house to Rob. “But keep going. I want to see if we can spot anyone at home.”

We drove slowly past Bill’s house and I spotted a car on the drive.

“Turn around up here and then go back and park across his drive. We don’t want him making a run for it.”

Blockade in place, I walked up to the front door and rang the bell while Rob went round the side to check for a rear exit. He was soon back at my side. “Unless your man can jump ten foot walls, this is the only way out.”

Satisfied that we’d covered all bases I tried the door again and this time the door opened a small way to form a gap. A lady peeked out at us through the tiny gap.

“Can I help you?”

“Hi there. We’d like to speak to Mr Winkleman.”

“I’m afraid Mr Winkleman’s not home right now. Can I take a message.”

“That’s such a shame. We’re from the lottery. The local post office contacted us because one of their regular players matched six numbers on the draw last month. It’s taken us until now to track him down but we believe Mr Winkleman has won the lottery.”

The lady’s eyes widened. “He has. How much?”

“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to divulge that sort of information. Unless …”

“Yes?”

“I don’t suppose you’re related to Mr Winkleman?”

“I’m his wife.”

“You are? Well that’s wonderful! In that case we’d be happy to explain all the details to you. May we come in? There’s an awful lot of paperwork and I’d hate for any of it to get blown away.” I gave Mrs Winkleman my sweetest smile.

“Of course, come in. My husband should be home any time now. He’ll be so pleased!” That I doubted very much but I kept my thoughts to myself. 

“After you,” Rob said, rolling his eyes at me. As I walked past him he leaned in and hissed in my ear. “I can’t believe you just did that. You’re going to get me sacked!”

“Thank you!” I smiled at him and blew him a kiss before turning my attention back to Mrs Winkleman. “If it’s not too much trouble Mrs Winkleman, I’d love a cup of coffee before we get started on all this. It’s such thirsty work and we’ve come a long way.”

I watched as Mrs Winkleman made a display of boiling the kettle. I felt slightly guilty when I realised just how excited she was about her husband’s win. She opened a packet of digestive biscuits and put them on a plate with a paper doily. It was ever so fancy but I resisted the urge to say so. Finally, when everything was deemed fit for our consumption, she led us to the dining room table.

“Here will be so much easier for you to sort through all your paperwork.”

“Thank you Mrs Winkleman, that’s ever so kind of you.”

“My pleasure. Shall I pour?” She gestured to the tray. “Was it tea or coffee that you fancied?”

“Coffee please.”

We’d just finished our first cup and I was about to ask for another when I heard the front door bang open and a voice shout out.

“What’s that faggot of a car doing across my tossing drive?”

Mrs Winkleman’s face flushed with colour. “That will be my husband.” She called out to him. “In here dear. We’ve got visitors.”

I heard footsteps then Bill Winkleman appeared. He took one look at me and his face turned as red as a beetroot. “Charlie Diamond! What do you want?!?”