“In Devon…”
“Sorry, Devon? What do you mean?”
“I found Sally, or Elizabeth as she now calls herself. She’s working on a big country estate in Devon. She drugged my tea. Oh Christ, Hilary, I’ve been so stupid. Shit! What do we do now?”
“Well, I tried to escape, but she just stopped my food and water for a few days. We can’t break down the door, we’re in some sort of cellar. Did you tell anyone where you were going?”
I shook my head.
“Shit! Well, we are in deep trouble then.”
* * *
I was exhausted as I pulled up in the pub car park. This was supposedly where the hunt met, however this afternoon it was quiet and deserted. I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The landlady smiled and greeted me.
“Hello there, what can I get you?”
“Oh, I’d love a coffee please.” She made a fresh pot of coffee, pouring me a cup which she passed across the bar. I sipped the warm liquid. “Oh, thank you. This is lovely. I’m trying to find out about the hunt.”
“Ah, I’m sorry you’ve missed them, they met yesterday. It was a busy old day too. Barbara may come in later; she knows all about the hunt. You can ask her about them if you wish.”
“Well, really it’s more about a friend of mine. She came down a few days ago looking for a friend.”
“It wasn’t that nice Mrs Bishop was it.”
I gasped, the cup slipping from my fingers and smashing on the floor. “Oh, goodness. I am sorry. Yes, it is… Do you know where she went?”
The landlady smiled, stepping around the bar, cleaning up the broken crockery. “Never mind. You look shocked, but yes, that lovely lady stayed with us overnight before going to the big house. She said she was going to see an old friend. Funny thing was, that person had given her a totally different address, it was almost as if she didn’t want to see her. But I put her straight and told her where to go.”
“And where is the big house?”
“Just through the village, there are the two big gatehouses, you can’t miss them.”
“Oh, thank you! You’ve been amazing, thank you!”
I walked out to my car. It seemed I had managed to trace Kate’s footsteps, but what had happened next? Had she found Sally? I pulled out my phone, I knew Dan would be busy working so sent him a text telling him what I had done and where I was. Two people had vanished, I didn’t want to become the third. The journey to what the landlady had called the big house only took a few minutes. I couldn’t miss the gatehouses or the imposing gates which were open, leading to a long driveway through parkland and forest towards the manor house which I could see below.
I drove down through the valley and parked up near the stables where I saw Sally exercising a horse in the outdoor arena. She looked up as I approached, pulling up the horse and riding to the fence line.
“Hello, can I help you?”
“Hi there, you may not remember me. I’m Amanda Bishop, Adam’s sister.”
“Oh, I remember you, Amanda. Right! It may have escaped your attention, but I’ve moved on since what your brother did. I really don’t want to have to discuss it again. I’ve told the police all I could. Now, I have horses to exercise and a busy day ahead, I’m sure you can find your own way out, it’s the way you came, uninvited.” She turned the horse and rode back into the centre of the arena.
“Actually, I’m looking for his wife Kate Bishop. Have you seen her by any chance?” I could see her swear under her breath and shake her head. She turned the horse towards me again.
“Look, I’ve told you I’m busy. Why the hell would I know where she is?”
“Well, it’s just that the landlady at the local pub said she came here. It’s just that nobody has heard from her for a few days and we’re worried about her. Are you sure she didn’t come here?”
“I told you, I haven’t seen her. Look, I’m trying to get over what your brother did. I don’t think you can really appreciate the impact it had on my life. Your brother destroyed everything, he killed Olivia, he ruined Hilary, he has completely destroyed my life in the process. Now, please. I’ve asked you nicely, leave me alone.” She wiped her eyes on the back of her gloves before pushing the horse into a trot and riding away.
I stood watching for a moment before walking slowly back to my car. Maybe I’d been wrong, I took one last look at Sally, she had every right to be left alone. I unlocked my car.
I really don’t know why the crumpled piece of paper caught my eye? It just seemed to be out of place in the immaculate surroundings of the yard. It was caught in the finely trimmed box hedge which ran the length of one of the well-kept paddocks. I reached down and took it from the leaves glancing at it. I was about to throw it back down when I realised what it said and my heart froze. I turned and walked back to the arena fence.
“So, you say she wasn’t here?”
“For fucks sake! What the hell do you want now?” Sally rode the horse straight to the fence where I was standing. “I told you. I haven’t seen Mrs Bishop. If you don’t leave now, I will call the police. This is private property.”
“Call them… Maybe they can explain why there is an invoice from a tack shop in Windermere in Kate’s name lying on the ground out here? Are you still going to tell me that she
