However, Eden was aware that most people in this position lived to their means, meaning that from the outside they looked like they were millionaires but the reality was they struggled with money like everyone else.
Sure, these people may have a high six-figure income but paying for things such as children at private schools, exotic holidays, two or three cars, even if on lease payments, and a huge mortgage, it means there isn’t much left at the end of each month.
They can be just like working-class people but a rung or two up the same ladder. However, the Mitten family were better off than most.
The business was well established and according to Francis Mitten, they owned the freehold and two of the other properties they had traded from in the past.
He said they didn’t have millions in the bank and Eden believed him but he was certain they could raise a few hundred thousand pounds. And that might well be the case, and soon.
There was always the possibility the kidnappers were bluffing and simply setting up the family so they would be relieved and gladly pay the huge ransom demand when the time came. But deep in Eden's mind, he had the thought this wasn’t the case. That the threat to kill one of the twins was real! That was something he really didn’t want to think about.
Chapter Thirty-One
The doctor who called to attend to Mrs Mitten left an hour ago. Before he went, he gave Diane two tablets to help calm her down and handed two more to Francis with instructions for his wife to take them later if she needed them.
For now, she seems relatively normal, given the circumstances.
The two detectives, Eden and Tracy are alone in the kitchen.
"We need to separate them and dig deeper. The kidnappers haven't asked for money. This sounds like some sort of revenge or grudge rather than a straightforward kidnapping. The way they were abducted from the airport, someone has put a lot of effort into this. It could be the threat is to scare them into paying a seven-figure ransom.
“The husband says he can only get £70,000 together but I think whoever is behind this if it turns out to be about money and not revenge, is going to be asking for a lot of money. It could be up to a million. Possibly even a million for each girl. Let’s hope he can raise a lot more money than he’s told us, otherwise, we could be looking at a worst-case scenario here.”
“I hope not,” Tracy said. “They seem like nice people. Not up their own arses like some of the ones we’ve dealt with.”
Eden nodded. "We need something to go on. If this is revenge, it must be someone close to them. We need the team to start concentrating on family, friends, and associates. It’s not perfect, given Mrs Mitten is on medication, but time is of the essence. We need to separate them. I’ll take the husband. You see if you can speak to the wife. When you talk to Mrs Mitten, we need to know if there are any secrets they’ve kept from us or if this is someone they have crossed and this is their way of getting even.”
“Okay, Eden. I’ll see what I can find out from her.”
Eden and Tracy walk through to the lounge.
Eden started first. “Mr Mitten. Is there somewhere you and I can have a chat?”
“Yes, we can go through to my office.”
Francis leads the detective to the other side of the house.
“Right, Mr Mitten.”
“As I said, please call me Francis.”
“Okay, Francis. I need you to be frank and honest with me. Is there anyone upset with you? Anyone who would be involved in this? A business deal that went wrong, or an ex-employee? I also need to ask you if you have been involved in an affair. Could this be a jealous partner or someone who feels betrayed? Or if you are part of any illegal activity, that could lead someone to come after you in this way? Don’t hold anything back. Remember, your daughters’ lives could depend on this.”
“No, detective. There’s nothing. I’m not saying I’m squeaky clean but I really don’t know of anyone who would do this. Our business is long established and works on us having a good reputation. I can assure you there are no skeletons in the cupboard that I am aware of.”
“If you’re sure about that.”
“Yes, I am.”
“We have to cover all the bases. So I will need you to compile a complete list of the people you come into contact with. Other members of your family, friends and people you work with or anyone who has worked for you in the past and might have left under, shall we say, unfavourable terms. I will need a full list of anyone who comes into the house on a regular basis. I imagine with a house of this size you have a lady who comes in to help with cleaning, maybe a gardener, even a window cleaner? Is there anyone you can think of?”
“No, I’ve gone over things in my mind and I can’t think of anyone.”
“How about at work. Any ex-members of staff with a grudge?”
“We haven’t had anyone leave our company in, let me think, it must be nearly a year, other than Brenda in accounts, but she left to have a baby. Oh, and Elwin Masters. But he moved up north to be nearer to an elderly member of his family.”
“Have you had anyone in the house in the last few months, other than close family members? Things like building or repair work? Tradespeople, delivery people, cold callers or anyone you’ve seen hanging around?”
“No, not since last year. We held a party in the garden to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of our company, but nothing since then.”
“How many
