‘I’ll explain in the car!’
April was pacing the Incident Room and Paula was sitting by the wall, a mug of tea in her hands. Looking at her face it was obvious she had been crying. She turned and looked down at the floor as Skeeter and Michael arrived, embarrassed by her inadequate and unprofessional actions.
‘We’ll discuss the start of this later. They were going to look at the Wheel of Liverpool. Apparently, Kelly had told Sharon about it and she’d promised to show her when things got better. Paula decided there would be no harm in showing them. The WPC who was with them for the trip back to Wigan had apparently gone along with the idea. Once there the girls just vanished into the ether.’ She turned and looked at Paula. ‘The officer is out looking along with as many others as possible. Lucy and Tony have seen her picture so they’re helping co-ordinate the search. We’re starting at the Wheel and moving out.’
Skeeter went and crouched in front of Paula wrapping her hands around her wrists. ‘What was said in the car on your way there?’
‘I’d never seen Sharon so excited. She kept thanking Kelly.’
‘And Kelly?’
‘She was Kelly. It was nothing to her. She’d seen it so often and had probably travelled on it.’
‘Was she reluctant?’
Paula considered the question before answering. ‘In a funny way, yes.’
‘So, you think this was Sharon’s and not Kelly’s idea?’
‘Do you know, Skeeter, I really couldn’t say. I’ve been taken for a fool. I’m so sorry.’
Skeeter reassuringly squeezed her wrists. ‘We’ll find her.’
‘Is Brad looking?’
‘He’s gone home and is not answering his mobile,’ grumbled April. ‘Closes the hangar door when he can. Always has. That’s what my dad always recommended I do.’
‘Permission to follow a hunch, ma’am?’ Skeeter looked at April.
‘Michael, remain here and contact me on my number if you need to. Look after Paula. Control will keep you fully informed. DCI Mason is co-ordinating along with DCI Lawn. We’ve issued photographs of both girls to all officers working this evening.’
Skeeter handed Michael some papers then spoke quietly. ‘See if you can work it out. If you do text me. I need confirmation – it’s critical do you hear?’
April and Skeeter left the room. Michael looked at the phone and the information relayed on the white wall-mounted screen. Paula was still feeling guilty and was at this moment ineffective. He looked at the papers Skeeter had handed him.
Chapter 34
The warm ambience of the evening did not benefit the police as a large number of people were out enjoying the sunset and the sights. A concert at the dockside arena had also exacerbated the situation bringing a youthful crowd to see Stormzy. It was easy to see how the girls could simply disappear within this melee. It was also a concern that a large police presence was in place as security against possible terrorism. Since the Manchester Arena bomb, the potential threat was being taken extremely seriously.
Sharon held onto Kelly’s arm and laughed as they mingled amongst the crowd. ‘Thanks, Babe, just needed to taste freedom again. We’ll go back in an hour. You know where the police station is?’
‘Always tried to avoid it until now. Suddenly it feels the safest place in the world. An hour and no more.’
Sharon checked her phone was on then returned it to her pocket. ‘Down here!’ She broke into a run moving between the people heading towards the arena.
‘Sharon, wait!’ Kelly followed, occasionally looking back towards the area where the police HQ was housed. She wanted, needed, to stay close. Two PCSOs were in the crowd and Kelly saw Sharon turn away. Within minutes they were reunited.
‘Don’t leave me again, Sharon. I just can’t take this.’
The crowd was thinning as they crossed a carpark. Sharon found a bench and flopped onto it. ‘Let’s just watch.’ She slipped her hand onto Kelly’s. ‘I’m so glad we met. Who’d have thought you’d find me when all along I was looking for someone just like you.’
The noise of traffic and people seemed so far distant. Neither noticed the car pull into the side nor DC Bradshaw approach. Sharon caught a glimpse of him in her peripheral vision and raised a protective arm as his fist slammed into Kelly’s right temple causing her head to collide with Sharon’s elbow. Kelly made no sound just slumped onto Sharon. Brad smiled. ‘You OK?’
Sharon did not respond as they each locked an arm under Kelly’s armpits and lifted her to her feet. As they approached their car a couple stopped.
‘She alright?’
‘My daughter. Got a call to say she’d over done it. Her birthday. Could you get the back door please?’
The man laughed. ‘Been there and done that.’ He opened the door and watched as Kelly flopped onto the rear seat.
‘You were supposed to be looking after your cousin.’ Brad’s voice was stern and the couple moved away. ‘Thanks. Daughters!’
Once in the car Brad relaxed. ‘Tracked your phone. Well done.’ He handed her an envelope. ‘You need to disappear and get rid of that phone. There’s one in there. The river’s the best place.’ She climbed out and lost herself in the crowd.
Michael had sent Skeeter a text. He wondered what all the fuss was about. It was hardly challenging. He turned his attention to his hunch. Working on the computer, he occasionally checked the large wall screen. He cast a solicitous eye over Paula. She had recovered a degree of composure and had protested her innocence a couple of times but her remarks had largely gone unheeded and she returned to the chair.
It was Sharon’s face that had sparked his curiosity. He had seen her before when he had been checking the CCTV in the entrance
