She shook her head.
‘You know of our past meeting. I mentioned it when we talked in the garage but let me take you back in time again. Try to remember. You were with your friends. There was Debbie, Bill, Cameron and another. You were standing outside the bar that’s in the side road near the Scarisbrick, you know it?’
She nodded frantically, wanting him to just go.
‘Good. Someone was telling jokes and an innocent man walked by. Debbie was laughing so much she stepped back and barged into him. Bill decided to become abusive. You thought the fear on the man’s face was funny, the others did too. I saw it clearly. Do you remember now?’
After a moment she nodded, this time it was barely visible.
‘That stranger, that butt of your laughter, was me. I was that joke of a man. I had done nothing to deserve that. Fortunately, one of your group, Debbie, showed some compassion, some kindness whilst you … that’s why you’re here and not her. Fear and uncertainty make horrible bedfellows. However, Carla, we met before that. You don’t recognise me?’ He lifted his hand and extended his little finger. ‘You were very drunk. You seemed to know me that night when you laughed again. You did this.’ He waggled the digit. ‘Remember, your friend saved me. I can see you’re confused and frightened, I can tell that. But I didn’t recognise you then, it was only later when I saw your face clearly. Now, I see that you’re uncertain as to whether I’ll do as I’ve said. What’s the saying, Carla? You don’t know anyone until you walk in their shoes. You are at this moment metaphorically walking in the shoes I walked in that night, filled with fear and uncertainty of what the next minutes would bring. That’s the worst part – the not knowing. Not fun, is it? Those are my wellingtons you wear. Then there was the broken promise and the humiliation – we never like to experience those things, do we?’
She shook her head again and tears began to flow behind the goggles.
‘This, Carla, is retribution. You’ll remember that word now and you’ll remember me.’ Leaning closer he whispered in her ear. She twisted her head round to look. He lifted the goggles. ‘Yes, it’s me.’ The smile on his lips was cold but his eyes laughed. Good night, Carla.’
Copy Lane was busy, even at 7.30am. April moved through to her desk. Four Post-it notes were attached to her computer screen. Each contained a reference search code and each was initialled by Michael. She noticed he had also left a note under the drum sticks.
Went through the requested CCTV last night. I’ve tagged the customers against the diary for Nic’s Nails and Beauty for the last month. As many numbers and addresses as possible. Any curious links I’ve highlighted.
You’ll see there are also links to CCTV for the areas between Sharpe’s place of work and her apartment and also positioned near Presso. I’ve linked with the CCTV footage for the day after also – the day she vanished. It’s clear she did go for a run. There are three references. The last at 7.45am.
Interestingly, I tracked images of Callum Smith from his social media profile. You might be surprised to see that he called at the salon two days before she went AWOL but there’s no reference in the diary so possibly it was a social call?
I checked Carla Sharpe’s phone records. They’re on file: reference 20/6692/PH. Again, I’ve highlighted key elements to save you time. The phone’s been off since 11am on the day she disappeared. The phone company will notify if it’s used.
Sorry I haven’t managed more.
When you read this, I’ll be dreaming of beautiful things.
Enjoy your day. Good luck.
Michael
PS I’ve put a request out for dashcam footage for the areas where Carla was last seen running and the predicted route. It’s a long shot but at least it’s a shot!
The penultimate sentence brought a brief smile, but she swiftly underlined the section noting Callum Smith. It was clear he had lied when questioned. She found the report of the interview. He stated that he had not seen her for a month or so. It was unclear, and now too vague. Picking up the phone, she requested he be brought in for questioning. More murders are committed through estranged relationships, jealousy, vengeance and in some cases, pure anger, than any other motive. April knew she was pushing the limit of her authority as it had been just over forty-eight hours since the missing person report had been logged. She was also aware that this period in a search was critical if Carla had been kidnapped. People can soon become possible victims, she thought as her mobile rang. It was DCI Mason, her immediate superior.
‘I see we’ve a briefing at eight regarding a Carla Sharpe? Why, Decent? It’s low grade.’
She had only sent him the timetable and the initial reports before leaving the evening before. She neither expected him to be present nor contact her unless, of course, he felt it was inappropriate and a waste of police time and resources at this stage.
‘Sir. I’ll be co-ordinating the next stage on receipt of the information from interviews done late yesterday afternoon and evening. We’ll then be better informed as to the next step. Overnight the CCTV results have been viewed and checked and we have a clearer picture of Carla Sharpe’s movements on the day she went missing. We also have an anomaly. A statement given by her last partner doesn’t check with CCTV. I’ve requested he be brought in immediately.’
‘Good. I’m presuming from what you say that you’ve based this on the facts received and not some airy-fairy concern by a member of the public whose friend has failed to meet an appointment? You’ve done the necessary risk assessments considering the necessary steps and resources management? Or, as I feel from your communication, DI Decent,
