Danger by Association: The Riverhill Trilogy: Book 3 Read online

  But there was no disputing the police evidence that placed him at the scene, so eventually there was nothing he could do but admit that he was there.

  “Right,” continued the DI. “So now we’ve established that you were at the hospital, perhaps you could tell us what you were doing there?”

  “Just watching.”

  The DI exchanged a look of concern with DS Fletcher who asked, “What were you watching?”

  “The children,” whispered Maurice.

  “Why?” asked the sergeant.

  Maurice remained silent.

  “I asked why!”

  Still no reply.

  DI Collins consulted a file in front of him. “According to your prison records, you attended a programme to help rehabilitate you into society. Is that right?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Is it wise to be watching children knowing the temptations that will bring?”

  Again Maurice remained silent.

  “What time did you arrive at the hospital and how long were you there?”

  Maurice gave sketchy details of the approximate times of his arrival and departure.

  “How come you know the child’s name?” asked DI Collins.

  The questions continued for a while until Maurice was allowed a break. Then the interrogation resumed with the two officers going over the same questions, but reworded slightly in an attempt to catch him out.

  Despite hours of skilled questioning, the suspect gave nothing away.

  Chapter 12

  Tuesday 18th June 1996

  Irene gave the ornaments on the fireplace a quick dust then put them back in place. Each one stood in its exact location, strategically placed like a sentry on duty.

  “Irene, for God’s sake, will you sit down?” said Ged. “We’ve come to talk to you, not to see how tidy your bloody house is.”

  She walked over to her armchair and sat down, pulling her skirt straight beneath her and smoothing down the front of it to minimise creasing. Her whole demeanour suggested she was uncomfortable with this visit.

  Joan watched her removing imaginary specks of dust from the arms of her chair, and plucking small bobbles from her twinset. On the rare occasions when Joan had met Irene, she was usually wearing a Marks and Spencer tweed skirt with matching blouse and smart cardigan or a knitted twinset. She rarely removed her cardigan, even in the summer months. Joan supposed it was because she was a doctor’s receptionist and was used to keeping up appearances.

  Joan willed Ged to get it over with. She still found it hard to believe at times that this was Ged’s sister: they were so different. Irene was a bit of a snob whereas Ged was just the opposite.

  “Well, what is it you want to talk to me about?” she asked after waiting a few moments for Ged to speak.

  “It’s our Daniel, he’s gone missing.”

  “Really? Well well, that’s a turn-up.”

  “You might at least act like you’re sorry.”

  “I’ve got nothing to feel sorry about, Ged. But if you mean, do I care? Then of course I do. He’s only a young child, and a member of this family. What exactly has happened?”

  Ged and Joan described the events leading up to Daniel’s disappearance. On realising the seriousness of the situation, and perhaps to make up for her cold initial response, Irene muttered some words of concern. Then Ged said, “Course, I know you didn’t approve of our Rita taking the lad to Greece.”

  “I only said what needed saying. It’s not right keeping a child from its grandparents. It must have been heartbreaking for you, especially after that other business with Jenny. I’m surprised you let her take him. That’s your trouble, Ged, you’ve always been too … casual about things.”

  Irene’s criticism provoked a reaction from Ged. “What d’you mean by that?” he asked.

  “You know what I mean, Ged. You should take more responsibility. I suppose you’re still spending most of your time in the pub, are you?”

  “What the hell’s it got to do with you if I am? What I do with my life is my own business. You should learn to keep your nose out instead of stirring things up with our Rita. What would you know about kids anyway? You haven’t bleedin’ got any of your own.”

  “There’s no need to take that tone with me, Ged.”

  “Well, get off my case then.”

  “Alright, but I just wondered how you both felt about her taking the child to Greece.”

  “It’s beside the point now, isn’t it?” asked Ged, trying to deflect from the topic.

  “What about you, Joan?” asked Irene.

  Joan felt uncomfortable at being put on the spot. “I wasn’t completely happy,” she murmured. “But like Ged says, it’s beside the point now,” she added, with a tremor in her voice.

  It was something she had never previously admitted. She had just gone along with everybody else’s wishes, knowing it would have cramped Ged’s style to bring up another child at their age, and that Daniel would have a better life with Rita and Yansis.

  Apart from that, it was Jenny’s wish. And that hurt. Joan had private moments over the years when she’d cried over the daughter she’d lost and the grandchild she hardly ever saw, but she preferred to keep her feelings to herself. Now, forced to think about the situation, the tears flooded into her eyes and she felt embarrassed in front of Ged’s sister.

  Irene puffed up her chest, pursed her lips and looked down her nose in a self-satisfied manner. “That proves my point,” she said. “I was right to say something at the wedding. Rita had no right to …”

  “Turn it in will you? Can’t you see she’s upset?” interrupted Ged.

  They remained silent for several minutes until Irene broke the tension, “Look, I understand you’re a bit upset about the child,” she said, as though only just realising that her self-righteous preaching was inappropriate under the circumstances.

  Hearing her attempts at mollification, Ged seized the opportunity, “Aye, but you wouldn’t have taken the lad, would you?” he asked.

  “Of course not! What do you take me for?”

  Turning to Joan, Ged said, “There, what did I tell you?” This question was guaranteed to drive a wedge between his sister and his wife, whether asked unwittingly or otherwise. Realising this, Joan stared back at him, too astonished to respond.

  By the time they left Irene’s home, brother and sister were on relatively amicable terms again. It was Joan who witnessed his true feelings on the matter once they got outside.

  “What the bloody hell was wrong with you, getting all upset and showing us up like that? I thought we’d all agreed at the time that it was best if the kid went to live with Rita. Then you go and make it look as if we were bloody cheating you out of him or summat.”

  “I can’t help getting upset, Ged. He’s our grandson and he’s missing. We’re no further forward than before we came.”

  “Ha, that’s where you’re wrong. At least we know that stuck up cow hasn’t got him.”

  “Yeah, if you believe her.”

  “Well, I don’t think she’s lying anyway. I had a quick scout round upstairs when I went for a piss. There’s no way she’s got him in the house, you mark my words.”

  Chapter 13

  Tuesday 18th June 1996 - Afternoon

  “Are you alright, Rita?” asked Julie for the umpteenth time that day. Her sympathy was getting on Rita’s nerves. Everything was getting on Rita’s nerves. She just wanted Daniel back, and she couldn’t settle until she caught sight of his lovely little face.

  The phone rang in the hall and Julie went to answer it before Rita had a chance. “I’m not here unless it’s the police with some news,” Rita shouted to Julie’s retreating back, but she wasn’t sure whether she heard.

  “It’s your mam,” said Julie, a few seconds later.

  “That’s all I bloody need,” Rita muttered to herself.

  Guessing that Julie had already told her mother she was there, Rita went to take the call.

  �
�Hello, Rita, is that you?” asked Joan.

  “Yeah.”

  “Jesus, Rita! You’ll never guess what.”

  “What?” asked Rita, becoming impatient.

  “It’s in the paper about our Daniel. The police have got a man.”

  “You what?”

  “It’s true! They’ve got someone in for questioning.”

  “You’re joking!”

  Yansis rushed into the hall on hearing Rita’s reaction.

  “What is it Rita? What has happened?”

  Rita turned her face away from the phone while she addressed Yansis. “It’s my mam. She says it’s in the paper … the police have got someone.” Before Yansis could respond, she spoke into the receiver again. “What did they say, Mam?”

  There was a catch in Joan’s voice as she spoke, “Oh Rita, you’re not gonna like this. He’s one of them bleedin’ paedophiles.”

  “Jesus Christ, no! Are you sure, Mam? Why haven’t the police been in touch? What else does it say?”

  “That’s about it, love. It’s only short. It just says they’re holding a man for questioning in connection with the missing child, Daniel Christos, and that he’s a known sex offender.”

  “Fuckin’ hell, I don’t believe it! Right Mam, I’ve got to go. I’m ringing the coppers now. I wanna know what’s going on, and why they haven’t bleedin’ said owt!”

  She put the receiver down without giving her mother a chance to say anything further.

  “Yansis, have you got that DI’s phone number?”

  “Hang on a minute, Rita. Let us look at the newspaper first. You need to calm down before we speak to him.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Julie!” she shouted. “Have you got the paper? I need to have a look.”

  Rita tore through the house looking for Julie who was no longer in the living room. She found her in her home office.

  “Julie, have you got a newspaper? I need to check something.”

  Rita’s rushed words and frantic behaviour took Julie by surprise. “Er, no. No, I haven’t got one. What’s the matter, Rita?”

  “Some bastard paedo’s got Daniel. I can’t believe the fuckin’ police haven’t even bothered to tell us.”

  “We’ll get a newspaper from the shop, Rita,” said Yansis who had followed her through the house.

  “No, I’m not fuckin’ waiting. I’m ringing them now! I want to know what the bleedin’ hell’s going on with my son. Where’s his number?”

  “No, Rita. I will ring. You’re too upset,” said Yansis.

  But Rita wouldn’t be dissuaded. She picked up her handbag and started rifling through its contents until she found what she was looking for: DI Collins’s card. Marching through to the hall, she grabbed the phone, quickly dialled the number and demanded to speak to him.

  After trying unsuccessfully to speak to DI Collins on the phone, Rita slammed it down and announced to Yansis and Julie, “The bastard’s not available.”

  “OK, calm down, Rita,” said Julie. “We’ll get hold of him. I’ll ring the station and ask them to get him to ring back once he’s free. Or, I could ask for the sergeant if you like.”

  “No, I’ll fuckin’ get hold of him alright. Come on, Yansis. We’re going down the station, and we’re not leaving there until we find out what the hell’s going on.”

  This was one occasion when Yansis didn’t argue against Rita’s impulsive nature. He was also anxious to get to the bottom of things.

  By the time they arrived at the station, Rita had calmed down a little but she was still worried about her son’s whereabouts. Thoughts of what might have happened to him had tormented her all the way there. As usual, Yansis was the voice of reason despite also being concerned about Daniel.

  “Now remember what I said, Rita,” he prompted, before they walked through the entrance. “If you start to shout it will make it more difficult for everybody. We will find out more if you try to stay calm.”

  “OK,” she said, looking at him wistfully. “I’m sorry I went off on one. It’s just …”

  But she couldn’t continue. Her emotions were threatening to overwhelm her and she swallowed down the lump in her throat.

  “It’s alright, Rita. I understand,” said Yansis, taking her hand and leading her through the doors.

  “I’m still not going home till we’ve seen him though,” she added before they reached the reception desk.

  They soon established that DI Collins was in the station but was tied up in interviews. Rita shuddered at the thought that he might be interviewing a child molester right at this moment. It might even be the man who had Daniel locked away somewhere.

  She tried not to become agitated as she and Yansis explained the situation. The uniformed WPC seemed sympathetic and asked them to wait while she looked for somebody who could help. She also offered them a drink while they were waiting. Yansis was right. It was better to stay calm to enlist as much cooperation as possible.

  They waited a long time, and Yansis was getting twitchy as well as Rita. When they were eventually led through to a sparse interview room, DI Collins stood up from behind a Formica-covered table. He shook each of their hands in turn then prompted them to sit down before doing the same himself.

  “I imagine you’ve seen the press coverage.” It was a statement rather than a question but Rita replied anyway.

  “No, but we’ve heard about it. Why didn’t you tell us? You said you’d be in touch as soon as you had any information.”

  “Because, at the moment, we don’t have anything. The man is being questioned. He isn’t under arrest.”

  “You must have had your reasons for bringing him in. I believe he’s a known sex offender,” said Rita, her voice trailing off as she said the last two words.

  “Yes, which is why we would have preferred not to make an announcement at this stage. There is no point causing you undue distress when we haven’t any proof that the man has actually done anything.”

  “Why are you questioning him, then? Are you questioning all the paedos?” she asked.

  DI Collins let out a sigh. “Not exactly, no. Although it’s standard for us to look at anyone with a history of child sex offences in a case like this, we have ruled out a number of people on various grounds.”

  “But why are you holding this one?” asked Rita.

  DI Collins paused before replying. “He was spotted … on the hospital premises. It was around the time your son went missing. The CCTV systems picked him up.”

  He held out his hand to prevent a response, but wasn’t quick enough to stop Yansis from uttering, “Oh my God!”

  “Please! Let’s not jump to conclusions,” said the inspector. “That is the only evidence we have at the moment. We have to cover all the bases but it might be totally unconnected to your son’s disappearance. I promise, if he admits to anything or if any other evidence comes to light, we’ll let you know.”

  “Why am I not convinced?” asked Rita, sarcastically. It was an attempt at bravado, to disguise her inner turmoil.

  Realising that the DI wasn’t going to offer anything more, Rita stood up to go. She needed to get outside. Yansis also stood up, but he spoke a few parting words to the DI, “We feel very let down. To find out through the press is wrong. You shouldn’t have let that happen.”

  “I can only apologise,” said DI Collins, but they left before he could say anything more.

  Outside, Rita was beyond anger. Instead, she was full of sorrow and despair. When Yansis took her in his arms, she looked into his tear-filled eyes before nuzzling her head into his chest and releasing her emotions. It was several minutes before her sobbing subsided and she was calm enough to walk to the car.

  It was hard to describe how she felt after their visit to the police station. Helpless? Inadequate? Ashamed? She didn’t do helpless and inadequate; they weren’t normally a part of her makeup. But ashamed somehow felt like the closest definition to suit her present feelings.

  Not only had she let her sister
down but she had let her son down too. And when she should have been fulminating against the injustice of it all, what did she do? She sat there speechless while DI Collins offered nothing but platitudes. Then, outside, she’d broken down, weak and helpless like a faded image of her former self.

  Rita had been through a lot. She’d battled for years, refusing to become a victim of her circumstances. And she’d made a better life for herself; a happy life in Greece with her wonderful husband, Yansis, and the son that meant everything to them. And now their son had been snatched.

  But she wouldn’t, she COULDN’T, let it sink her. She had to pull herself together again and continue fighting. It was Rita’s way of coping, and the only way she could get through this.

  When they returned to Julie’s, Rita filled her in on the details. Then, after one of Julie’s many comforting cups of tea, the next thing Rita did was to ring her brother, John. She may have succumbed to her emotions for a short while, but she wasn’t defeated yet.

  “Have you heard the news?” she asked, when he answered the phone.

  “Yeah, are you OK?”

  “Not really. Me and Yansis have just been to see DI Collins but he wouldn’t tell us bugger all. Why have they arrested this man? What have they got on him?”

  “I’ve no idea, Rita.”

  “Well you’re a copper, John. You must know summat.”

  “I don’t get access to that information. It’s only usually open to people who are working directly on the case. And, even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone what was going on. It’s more than my job’s worth.”

  “Aw come on. You must be able to find out something. There must be ways around it. Have you any idea what me and Yansis are going through? I would have thought your family were more important to you than your poxy job!”

  “Look, Rita. I’d help you out if I could. You know I would, but I just can’t.”

  Rita sighed down the phone before continuing. “Right, well if you can’t tell me what they’ve got on him, can you tell me how the newspapers found out about it? Other coppers must have access to information if someone tipped off the papers.”