Carter walked up the drive and as he did so he took a good look at Foster’s van as best he could in the light from the streetlights. Even in this light he could see it had been recently repaired – there was fresh paint and a new bumper. Carter took out his phone and photographed the repair work. The flash lit up the night. Foster appeared from around the side of the house.
‘Can I help you?’ he said frostily as he stood watching.
Carter walked around the van.
‘A fair bit of damage on the bumpers?’
‘It’s a works van. It doesn’t have to look pretty. What can I do for you, Officer? Have you found Danielle?’
‘Not yet. I believe you were there when the young woman’s body was pulled from the canal? Can we talk about it? Can I come in?’ Gerald Foster grunted and opened the front door, led the way inside the house. He flicked on a light in the hallway. Carter followed him in. ‘It must have been pretty horrible.’
It was dark and cold inside. Not exactly homely in here. Carter was thinking how there was no way Foster had been in the front of the house for a good while. He peered into the rooms either side as they walked through to the back of the house. It had a forgotten feel and smell. Foster put the light on in the kitchen.
‘The lad found her. I was just there.’
‘What were you doing there?’
Foster looked at Carter with contempt. ‘What do you think I was doing there? Do you think I always hang about canals in the hope some body will float to the surface? I was working. I was making my way to the Canal Museum to start my tour. I show people around. I told you I’m a guide.’
‘Of course. I remember. I didn’t realize you were also an expert on the canal system in London.’
‘Yes. I normally show people around, take them up the canal on a barge, but it’s been impossible for weeks. I like to do a job properly; I like to be thorough. I can walk people up the towpath instead so I like to think of as many interesting facts relating to that as I can. I wanted to take a look at the ice.’
‘So you were with people when the boys were playing on the ice?’
‘No, the weather meant people cancelled. I was merely checking on things. I saw the boys larking about. Bloody hooligans; should have been at school. I shouted at them to stop throwing rocks on the ice.’
‘They didn’t listen, obviously.’
‘No, then one of the little bastards got pushed on the ice. I thought for a moment I was going to have jump in if the ice cracked.’
‘Would you have?’
‘No. But there’s a lifebuoy. I might have thrown that for him. If he was lucky.’
‘Sensible. Did you suspect anything was in the canal there?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You told my colleague, Detective Willis, that you know every inch of the canal; maybe something had caught your eye in the last week or so?’ Foster shook his head and stuck his hands further into his pockets as he stared hard at Carter.
‘No. Is that where you think Danielle is? Is that what this is about? You think I had something to do with that young woman’s murder and that I have even more to do with my own daughter going missing?’
‘We believe Danielle is being held against her will. There is still time for someone to release her; still time to get her home to her son Jackson. It isn’t too late.’
‘Why are you telling me?’
‘Because you’re right – it’s quite a coincidence that you were there when a friend of your daughter’s was pulled out of the canal and now your daughter goes missing. But coincidences are a rare thing in my job.’
‘I didn’t know she was a friend of Danielle’s?’
‘Yes. She was. Can I just ask you something else about your work showing people around the sites of London?’
‘Look, I’ve had enough. I’ve told you all I know, now please leave.’ He almost pushed Carter backwards.
‘One minute, Mr Foster.’ Carter didn’t move. ‘It can be here or at the station.’ Foster backed off. ‘Do you ever take people to the Heath?’
‘Hampstead Heath?’
‘Yes, you know, a tour of the parks, that kind of thing?’
Foster bristled with irritation. ‘I have done in the past. I do private work where I drive tourists round and show them the sights. Hampstead Heath is sometimes on the list, depends what they want. Is that it? I want you to leave my property.’
‘When were you there last?’
‘In the summer.’
‘You haven’t been there in the last week?’
Foster didn’t answer; he stared at Carter then waited for an explanation.
‘Another body was found there. I think you need to call your lawyer, Mr Foster.’
Chapter 33
The next morning Ebony sat in the housing office with a ticket number in her hand. Archie was asleep in the buggy. Archie had seen Ebony a few times plus he was a good baby and used to going to nursery whilst Cabrina worked for an accountancy firm, so he never minded strangers. Archie was a serious baby; very sparing with his smiles. Ebony thought he could just pass as her child. He had the look of the sun about him: Cabrina was Greek, Carter was half Italian so the mix had produced a stunning baby with a double dose of shiny black hair. Carter had told her what she needed to know to look after him for a few hours and he’d dressed him all in blue today.
She and Archie had been waiting for an hour when her number was called. She went up to the booth. The young man waited for her to sit. He looked at her file.
‘You’ve been sent over to us from our Luton branch?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can I ask why?’
‘Just had some personal issues. I wanted to make a new start.’
He nodded, barely interested. He just needed an answer that corresponded to a question on his form and a box that needed ticking.
‘Any preference where you’d like to live?’
‘My college is in Holloway, so I don’t mind as long as I can reach it by bus. Somewhere where there’s a park would be good.’
‘Where are you staying now?’
‘We’re sleeping on a friend’s floor.’
Ebony knew what the file said. Robbo had shown her and it was faultless. It said she was to be given priority. The lad shrugged, looked resigned. It was no skin off his nose if she queue-jumped. Someone somehow thought she deserved it.
He picked up a sheet of available flats.
‘I have something I can offer you by Beacon Park in Hackney Wick. It’s a two-bedroomed apartment on the sixth floor.’ He looked at Ebony’s expression. She was mulling it over, thinking about the location. ‘There’s a lift,’ he added. ‘Can’t guarantee it works but flats are few and far between – I’d take it if I were you. It’s on a bus route to Holloway. It’s near Victoria Park – kiddies’ playground.’ She nodded.
‘Thanks.’
‘Do you want to take a look?’
She shook her head. ‘No need. I’ll take it. Thanks.’
‘Okay.’ He left his desk and returned with an envelope. ‘Here are the keys. Here’s the address. The housing officer will be in to make sure it’s all working for you.’
‘Thanks.’
Ebony negotiated the heavy exit door with Archie’s buggy and stopped outside. She took out her phone as she pushed the buggy one-handed and rang Carter.
‘Have just secured a flat.’
‘Did you enrol in the classes?’
‘I’m on my way there now. You sure Cabrina doesn’t mind about borrowing Archie?’
‘Nah… Free childcare. Plus, it’s an outing.’
Now Ebony knew he hadn’t asked Cabrina. ‘Not exactly an ideal activity recommended for a nine-month-old.’
‘He’ll love it. Buy him a Big Mac.’
Ebony shook her head, couldn’t help a smile; she knew Carter was joking. She knew he loved Archie to bits but she also knew Carter had some growing up to do. Still, it left her feeling hungry; she was now obsessing about a Maccy D’s. As she hung up the phone and peered around the front of the buggy. Archie’s bright brown eyes looked back at her. Ebony was beginning to think Archie was the perfect child for her. He observed the world and occasionally demanded some attention but it was never for anything unnecessary or frivolous; he never grizzled; he never asked for something he didn’t really need. Archie smiled at Ebony.