Abigail: Chapter 61

Two hours later I was released, without charge and with a full apology. Of course there hadn’t been a shred of evidence to prove that I’d in any way interfered with their investigation. Ryan had got away but it wasn’t my fault. It was all just an exercise in ego massage for the cop who didn’t like private investigators. I was free to go. Standing outside the police station, I think I was less livid the day I walked in on Jonathan shagging that girl from the office than I was at that moment. My case had completely collapsed, I didn’t have a clue which rock Ryan had crawled back under, and tomorrow was Christmas Eve. I allowed myself a moment of self-pity at the unfairness of the situation then took a deep breath and pulled myself together.

I tried ringing Abigail’s mobile but it went straight to voicemail. I left a message explaining what had really happened but I wasn’t going to hold my breath that she’d believe me. I rang Rob and his phone went to voicemail too but I didn’t bother leaving him a message. All out of options, I decided to walk into town and soon found myself back outside the bank. I went in and showed Ryan’s picture to the woman at the desk. Maybe Ryan had come with Toby the day he used the cash machine. It was a long shot but I had nothing else. True to form though, no-one in the bank had seen him. I was out of luck and out of ideas.

My tummy grumbled. I hadn’t eaten since picking at breakfast hours ago. I couldn’t face going back to the bar we’d been in together the day before. I tried both Abigail and Rob’s mobiles again and still got no answer. I couldn’t believe Rob would just leave me at the police station to rot but with neither of them answering their phones I was stuck.

It was then that I had an idea. There was one place that did know Ryan. They might be shocked to learn what he’d been up to recently but there was no question they’d recognise him. I walked up the street into the main part of town and found a taxi.

“How much to McDonalds please mate?”

“Three quid.”

I looked in my purse and saw I had a fiver and my cards, just enough to get me to the restaurant with change left over for a coffee. “Perfect!”

Ten minutes later we pulled up outside McDonalds. The driver gave me his card with my change. “Give me a ring if you need a lift back. It’s quiet today. I’ll give you the return trip for half price.”

“Thanks!”

I walked into the building with renewed enthusiasm. It might not be much but I felt like finally something was going right. As I made my way through the restaurant I kept my eyes open for Beth, the lady who’d recognised Toby. I couldn’t see her but after ordering a coffee and a Big Mac meal, remembering to pay with my card so I’d have money left for the journey home, I found a seat at a corner table and waited. It didn’t take long before I spotted her cleaning one of the tables near the children’s play area. I watched her while I ate my food, looking for any hint that she might be about to leave for a break, and when I was finished I threw my rubbish in the bin next to where she was working.

“Hi, Beth? Don’t know if you remember me, we met a week or so ago.”

She peered at me then her face brightened. “I remember! You were looking for Jim. Hello!”

I smiled, grateful to be recognised. “That’s right! How are you?”

We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before I asked her about Ryan. “I don’t suppose he’s working today?”

“That boy, he’s a bloody nuisance!”

I laughed. “What’s he done now?”

“First Jim vanishes and now Ryan. I’ve not seen him for days. I don’t know what’s wrong with the boy.”

“I thought he was duty manager.”

“He was. Fat lot of good that did him!”

“I don’t suppose you know where he might be? I’ve tried his flat but no-one’s home.”

“You’re as bad as the coppers. I’ll tell you what I told them: it doesn’t matter who he is or what he done, I don’t have the first clue where he is.”

“The police have been in looking for him?”

“Yeah, couple of times now. Not that it done them any good. He could be anywhere. Barnstaple’s a huge place when you’re trying to find what’s lost.”

“You think he’s still here? In Barnstaple.”

“Bound to be. Local boy see, he don’t know nowhere else. I blame the school. That old dump, best thing they ever did was abandon that place and start again. They need to be teaching them to explore the world a bit, that’d get the kids out of here.”

“Thanks Beth, you’ve been brilliant!”

She looked surprised. “But I didn’t tell you nothing.”

“Nonsense. I know exactly where to look next.” I got up, gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked out the door, leaving her staring after me with her mouth hanging open.

I dialled the number on the card the driver had given me. “Hi, yes, it’s me again. How much to go from McDonald’s to the woods at the back of the old school?” I looked in my purse. “I’ve got two quid … Perfect, thanks!”

As I stood waiting for the taxi to arrive I tried ringing Rob again but yet again it went to voicemail. Where are you? This time I left a message. “Rob it’s me, Charlie, this is important. I think I know where Ryan is. If you get this message, come to the woods. There’s an abandoned school at the back. Ryan told me about it last time. He’s there.”

The taxi arrived and I got in. All I could do now was hope my hunch was right and that Rob would get my message.