“And she never seemed in pain of any kind?”
“Not physical pain, no. She just sometimes seemed withdrawn, lost in her own world. But children often create their own imaginary worlds. They can be very complex beings, Chief Inspector. They’re not all the same. Just because a child is quiet, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with her.”
“I understand. Please believe me, I’m not criticizing. I’m just trying to find out something about her.”
“How could it help?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“You think she’s dead, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“She’s been gone nearly two days now. That’s what the papers say. Not in so many words, perhaps, but…”
“She could still be alive.”
“Then she might be better off dead,” Peggy Graham whispered. She felt up the sleeve of her cardigan for a
tissue, lifted her glasses and wiped her moist eyes. They looked small and shy without the lenses to magnify them. “I’m sorry. It’s just… we’re all so upset.”
“Did you, or anyone else on staff, notice any strangers hanging around the school recently?”
“No. And I’m sure anything like that would have been reported. We have very strict guidelines to follow.”
“Nobody saw a dark blue car? Are you sure?”
She shook her head. “I’m sure.”
“Did you ever see Gemma talking to any strangers nearby? Male or female?”
“No. She always came and left with her friends, the ones from the same street. She didn’t live far away.”
Banks stood up. “Thank you very much,” he said. “If you do remember anything, here’s my card. Please call.”
Peggy Graham took the card. “Of course. But I don’t see how there could be anything else.”
“Just in case.”
“All right.” She got to her feet. “I’ll walk to the door with you.”
As they walked, a host of children came out of one of the classrooms. Some were laughing and scrapping, but many of them seemed subdued. Perhaps they were too young to understand the enormity of what had happened, Banks thought, but they were old enough to sense the mood of tension and fear. One little girl with glossy dark curls and brown spaniel eyes tugged at Banks’s sleeve.
“Are you the policeman?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered, wondering how on earth she knew.
“Are you looking for Gemma?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Please find her,” the little girl said, clutching his sleeve tighter. “Bring her back. She’s my friend.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Banks. He turned to Peggy
Graham. She blushed.
“I’m afraid I told them a policeman was coming,” she said. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right. Look, can I talk to this girl?”
“Elizabeth? Well … I suppose so. Though I don’t know what… . Come this way.” And she led both Banks and Elizabeth into the empty classroom.
“Now, Elizabeth,” she said. “The nice policeman wants to talk to you about Gemma, to help him to find her. Just answer his questions. I’ll stay here with you.” She glanced at Banks to ask if he minded, and he nodded his agreement. Elizabeth took hold of Peggy Graham’s hand and stood beside her.
Banks crouched, hearing his knees crack as he did so, and rested his elbows on his thighs. “You know we’re trying to find Gemma,” he said. “Did she ever say anything to you about going away?”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“Or about anyone wanting to take her away?”
Another shake.
“Did she have any older friends, big girls or big boys?”
“No.”
“Did she ever talk about her mummy and daddy?”
“It wasn’t her daddy.”
“Mr Poole?”
Elizabeth nodded. “She wouldn’t call him Daddy.”
“What did she say about him?”
“I don’t know.”
