‘Ma’am. Do we have a time?’
‘Five.’ She pointed to the two fivers on the table. ‘Who’s gambling on whom?’
‘I think Smith and Tony here thinks it’s someone called Carlos Briggs.’
‘Make that the last time you ever do that in one of my briefings. End of.’
Tony raised his eye brows and looked at Fred before mouthing the word, Ouch!
April moved on. ‘Carla was last seen on CCTV running along Fairway. She was seen on the camera situated at the Fairway Park and Ride. There were no other sightings in that area.’
Fred interrupted. ‘According to the statements from her neighbours she ran almost daily. Her route was regular. From her flat in Argyle Road she’d run around the perimeter of the golf links and that would include Fairway. Normally about forty-five minutes to an hour. They also said she always ran wearing headphones. Cameron Jennings told me that he occasionally ran with her. According to him, she’d always kept herself fit and did all things right apart from liking a drink or two and sometimes more than a few too many.’
‘Noted. Fairway can be a busy area at best.’
Lucy chipped in. ‘Along Fleetwood Road close to the links there are some hidden areas of pathway now the trees are in leaf. Have we requested …’
‘Webcam footage has been requested, Lucy. Michael put out the call last night. The likelihood is, if she got into a car, she knew the driver otherwise there would have been a struggle.’ April turned back to Fred and Lucy. ‘The friends?’
‘Everything seemed normal. They tended to socialise regularly. Drinks, meals out. Clubs in Liverpool on occasion. The girls would do more as a collective. However, it would appear she’s buggered off before without telling anyone.’
There was an immediate silence. The information came as a body blow to April. Had she responded too quickly in starting the investigation – bolted before the gun? If she had, she would be a laughing stock. Fred turned his attention to the fiver still sitting on the table and mumbled to himself.
‘When?’ April’s voice was shaky and she leaned on the table to regain some equilibrium.
‘After one of Smith’s affairs. Away for a couple of nights. Contacted no one and they were told when she returned there was no phone signal which I believe. No signal, no communication. According to one friend, I have his name on file, she came home and went straight back to him.’
‘Shit!’ April’s face flushed red for the second time.
‘But she’s on her own now, ma’am. There’s no reason to indicate she’d just go. All the statements I’ve seen suggest she’s more settled and in control than ever.’ Lucy’s words were judged, professional but more importantly, comforting. ‘And this is only my belief – if she’s been taken and the perpetrator knew of this previous disappearance it would play into his hands. It would give time.’
April looked around and could see that Lucy’s prognosis of the evidence was at best optimistic but probably naïve. Few seemed to give it credence.
‘What about this so-called relationship with Callum Smith?’
‘On and off for four or so years. They eventually got together. Lived in a flat on Lord Street at that time but when they parted company, she moved into a one bed in Argyle Road. Nice too. According to Debbie Sutch, they were well suited as a couple. Both up for a laugh, neither wanted marriage nor kids, both fitness freaks. Seemed perfect but he liked to stray and she liked the booze. We requested permission to access her phone records and she’s been fully co-operative.’
‘Lucy, check with the landlord of their old flat. Usual procedure. Damage, nuisance etc. Skeeter, Tony, what about Nic’s Nails and Beauty?’
Skeeter spoke. ‘She was well liked; worked there some years. Good client list, according to the boss. We’ve asked for that to be sent through. Her diary for the last month was given to Michael last night, so that’s why he’s tagged Callum, I guess. As you said, and contrary to his original statement, we now have evidence he was in last week.’
‘Before we jump to conclusions.’ April glared at Fred and Tony. ‘He wasn’t in the diary, probably a social call. If they’ve been an item for years then he could also be a friend of other members of staff. We’ll find that out this afternoon. Sorry, you were about to say?’
‘There’s also another member of staff. Carlos, Carlos Briggs, apparently named after Carla for no other reason than that he learned much from her when he first started. Modelled himself on her ways.’
‘Naivety or infatuation?’ Lucy asked.
Skeeter just raised her shoulders. ‘Something I’m keen to follow up. His real name is Brian Briggs. I ran a check early this morning. No form but I had a nag about him. I think he saw Carla on the day she went missing but that’s only my guess.’ She explained to the team her rationale.
Chapter 7
Lucy parked on Lord Street, Southport. It always amazed her that the gulls’ shrill screams seemed to dominate the place but with so many cafés and takeaways the possibility for a free meal was ever present. She had managed to locate and contact the landlord of the property which Carla and Callum had previously rented. The flat was set within the row of Victorian buildings that made up part of the façade of Lord Street. The shops beneath were protected by a wrought iron glazed canopy that might encourage estate agents to term the street as a Victorian canopied boulevard. She reflected momentarily and wondered if the canopy’s original design was to keep the gentry free from aerial bombardment, whether that be from the rain or the bird droppings. However, the street was now only a shadow of its former self, as much of the grandeur was lost. Many of the shops stood empty and the canopy was neglected in certain
