Skeeter immediately turned to look at April. ‘That can be a dangerous game, especially if she changes her mind at the last minute. Do we have any names?’
April shook her head.
‘And the last …’ Skeeter didn’t finish.
‘According to Debbie they were together the evening before, drink and an Italian meal.’ April checked the file. ‘Presso on Lord Street by the Cenotaph. She even dropped her at her flat. Carla had been working late. They met at eight. They were meant to be lunching the following day so unless she went out afterwards … Sutch was the last person to see her. We have an officer checking with the neighbours now.’
‘Did Carla have any set routines?’ Skeeter enquired flicking deeper into the file.
‘Like you, she ran. According to Debbie Sutch she jogged most mornings before work. Obsessed with the fear of losing her figure as she got older, allegedly. Work was normally a 10am start but she wasn’t working the day they were meeting for lunch. She was unsure as to whether she exercised on her day off.’
‘Nothing else? Gym, coffee shop?’
April shook her head. ‘Not that we know.’
‘List of other acquaintances? Friends, work colleagues?’
April slid a sheet of paper over the desk. ‘Both. I want you and Tony to call at Nic’s Nails and Beauty, and I’ve sent Lucy Teraoka and Fred Quinn to interview her friends. There’s one in particular I’m very interested in.’ She collected a drumstick from the in tray, leaned over and let the tip fall on one name. ‘William Rodgers. Interesting record. In the book for affray five years ago. Criminal offence and served six months. Unusually, and luckily for him, he was tried in the Magistrates’ Court. I put the word round and he has a reputation for being a bit of a thug and football hooligan too. Lucy’s aware of the need for caution with that one and he’s been invited to the station rather than interviewing him at his home. I’ve planned a briefing for 8am tomorrow to collate what we know. Let’s hope Carla’s been found before then.’
Skeeter yawned. ‘Standard risk in my opinion and not really our bag if I were to be honest, ma’am, but you’re the boss. You know she’s probably away having it away!’ She fluttered her eyes innocently.
‘But if she’s not. Let’s not wing this one. I have a feeling.’
‘Carla, in a moment I want you to stand and I want you to remove your clothes apart from your underwear. You’ll remove your upper garments first whilst you remain on the chair. I can assure you that I will turn my back. I am not a sexual predator. I give you my word, so in that sense, you’re safe. When that’s done I will untape your legs. Then I must trust you.’ He paused and stared at her. ‘However, if you try to remove the gag I will …’ He paused again before moving closer to her face than he had done throughout the kidnap. ‘… hurt you.’
His face remained expressionless. She felt the warmth of his breath. It was strangely comforting yet at the same time unnerving, making him appear human and real. She watched as he bent and slit the tape holding her arms, noticing the balding ring on the crown of his head.
‘You may begin to undress when your circulation returns. I’m sorry for any discomfort.’
Carla hurriedly removed her upper garments and tossed them on the floor next to the chair. He could hear her laboured breathing as only her nostrils could take in the air. The knotted cloth was held tightly in her mouth. It had not moved. She listened when she had done as requested and waited anxiously. She could hear the occasional vehicle some distance away but nothing else.
‘Are we done?’ Not waiting for an acknowledgement, he turned. ‘Good. Now listen to me again. It’s critical that you understand and follow my instructions. When you’ve removed your jeans, you need to put on these clothes and remain standing. Do not move away from the chair.’
Turning, he went to the far side of the room where the diffused light barely filtered before returning with some clothing still in its wrappers. He placed the items before her. ‘I want you to put these on. I know they’ll be on the large side but that’s why we have tape.’ He turned away again.
Within minutes she was dressed. ‘Don’t forget to remain standing.’ Turning he looked at Carla. The fluorescent jacket, the peaked baseball cap, the blue trousers and the work gloves were on the large size. He moved forward and lifted the jacket before wrapping tape around her waistband, securing the trousers as tightly as possible. He did the same to her thighs just above her knees as he adjusted the length of the trouser legs. The jacket cuffs he allowed to fall over her hands. The final act was to tighten the cap.
‘See, that’s better. We still have bits to add but we’ll do that later. You look the part I have to admit, Carla.’
Slipping the surgical glove below his wrist, he checked his watch. ‘We have time and I think you need a drink. And we need to do something else. We need to ensure that at least one of your friends comes to find you. We have to record a message or two.’ He retrieved her phone. ‘And to do that, Carla, you must ask some of them to rescue you by recording messages here. Can I trust you just to speak and not shout? We’ll soon see.’
He immediately noticed her relax as she sat in the chair before moving her hands hidden within the sleeves of the jacket to her eyes.
‘Let’s remove that gag for a minute or two and then we can get on.’
Chapter 4
Lucy and Fred had managed to contact three of the friends by phone and arranged a time to call. It was important that they meet face to face.
