“Maybe, but I still think something’s up.”
The police presence makes me feel simultaneously nervous and reassured. Just have to get through the next few hours, I keep telling myself. Then this awful night will be over.
“Hey, is your phone ringing?”
“So it is.”
I’d forgotten I’d set it to vibrate.
I glance at the screen. “Holly, how’s it going?”
“You’ll never believe this,” she says, in a low voice, “but I’m outside Jody’s house!”
“You are?” I nearly drop my coffee. “How did you find her?”
“She turned up for the reunion! Turns out, she’s still in contact with one of the other girls who went to the camp.”
“Oh my god! So tell me – what’s she like?”
“Quiet, really quiet. She just sat in the corner all evening, hugging a coke. I’m not really sure why she came. Everyone else seemed to be having a good time, though – they all went on to Archie’s.”
“But Jody wasn’t up for it?”
“No.”
“So, what – you followed her home?”
“That’s what I do, isn’t it? Not that she seems to be doing much. I’m just waiting for the lights to go out, then I’ll probably head home myself. I can always come back, now that I know where she lives. But listen, Isabel. There was another unexpected… development.”
“What?”
“Julio’s ex showed up!”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“His ex-wife, Kate! I couldn’t think where I knew her from at first, I mean, I’ve never actually met her before. But I’ve seen photos, so she looked kind of familiar.”
“Oh god! How did she even find out about the reunion? I was so careful not to say anything.”
“Someone else must have told her. She seemed quite friendly with a couple of the other play leaders. One of them must have invited her. But when Jody walked in, she looked like she’d seen a ghost She’d obviously noticed that she looks just like Alicia. I had to go up and warn her, to make sure she wasn’t going to give the game away.”
“So what did you say?”
“I told her I was a private detective you’d hired. I figured that was close enough to the truth to keep her happy. I warned her to stay away from Jody and said that you’d fill her in on the rest of the details.”
I exhale. “So she didn’t even realise who you are?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Poor Kate. Maybe I should have clued her in about Alicia and Jody before, but I’m not sure she would have believed me, if she hadn’t seen Jody for herself.
As I say goodnight to Holly, another thought occurs to me. If Jody is at home, then that means she’s not here. If only I could check on Alicia’s whereabouts too, but it’s a bit late to be calling the Beach House. I could drop Deacon a text though, couldn’t I? See if he’s awake. He might be. He is a bit of a night owl.
My fingers move quickly over the touch-pad.
- Are you still up?
The phone beeps instantly with his reply:
- Now I am:)
- Sorry, did I wake you?
- Not really. I was reading. It’s nice to hear from you.
- I was just wondering if Alicia’s still up?
- She’s just gone to bed. Did you want to speak to her?
- No, it’s OK. It can wait till tomorrow.
So Jody and Alicia are both safely at home, I think with satisfaction, and there are only a couple more hours left on the night shift. Maybe there isn’t going to be any trouble tonight, after all.
As an extra precaution, I turn back to Jon, who is still at his post by the door and show him the pictures of Alicia and Jody that I’ve saved to my phone.
“Are they twins or something?” he asks, flicking from one to the next.
“Just sisters, I think,” I say, glancing at my watch. “Look, just ring me immediately if either one of them turns up at the store tonight, OK?”
He raises an eyebrow a little at the request, but doesn’t ask any awkward questions.
Once I go back inside, things start to get busy. People wander in on their way home from nightclubs, looking for frozen pizzas, sandwiches, drinks and snacks. A handful of shift workers come and do their weekly shop, eager to avoid the crowds. Time passes quickly as I pace through the store, multitasking between the checkouts, shelving staff and the warehouse, where the fresh consignment of baked beans has finally arrived. Then, just as the queues are starting to die down again, one of the new boys waves to get my attention.
“Isabel, call for you in the office.”
“Oh, thanks.”
I walk in and close the door behind me. It’s got to be Sonya, calling to check up on me. I sit down at the computer and pick up the receiver. Might as well get those rosters printed while I take her call.
“Isabel Anderson,” I say, in a tone intended to inspire confidence.
“Hello, Isabel.”
Not Sonya.
“Hello. Who is this?” I glance at the display, but it just reads ‘out of area.’
“I think you know who this is.” Her voice is hoarse and emotionless.
My breath comes fast and ragged.
“Jody?”
“We don’t have much time,” she says, briskly. “If you want to help your friend, you must do as I say.”
“Who… what are you talking about?
“You know very well. That woman you sent to spy on me.”
“You’ve got Holly?” My body jerks to life. “Let me speak to her!”
“There’s no time for that. I was hoping it wasn’t going to come to this, but you’ve given me no choice.”
I feel my panic rising. “What have you done with her?”
With my right hand, I pull out my mobile and force my shaking fingers to bring up Holly’s number.
It rings.
“Hello,” I almost gasp with relief as I hear her voice, but to my dismay, it’s just a prerecorded message.
Oh, why doesn’t she pick up?
Jody is still speaking. “You need to listen very carefully, Isabel. I’m about to give you a set of instructions. If you want to help your friend, you must follow everything to the letter.”
Oh god, please let this be a bad dream.
I listen in dismay as she rattles off her instructions, but struggle to take it all in as my anxiety for Holly mounts. Where is she? What have they done with her?
Has she met the same fate as Fluffy?
It’s only once Jody hangs up that I’m able to take in the full force of her words. What am I going to do? If I don’t comply with her wishes, there is a real chance that something terrible will happen. Holly’s life rests in my hands.
Why me? What did I do to deserve this?
Another person in my situation would march straight out to the police car outside the store. But that door is closed to me, shut some time ago. I’m damned if I do, and damned if I don’t. My conscience won’t give me a moment’s peace. Probably never will.
As I drag myself towards the warehouse, I can’t help but marvel that I can still place one foot in front of the other, that my knees don’t buckle from the effort. I push open the door with purpose and begin to riffle around, assembling the things I need. Nobody questions my presence there, they just see me with my fancy suit and supervisor’s badge and go on with their work, loading and unloading their pallets and crates.
I play my part slowly, waiting for the right moment. Finally, a whistle blows, signalling that it’s time for the lads to take their tea break. I watch them file out the door, then take a quick look around, anxious that no one has been left behind. Only then do I set my phone down on the shelf and nod to the camera. I am just about to begin when the door swings open and Deacon barges in.
I have never been so angry to see anyone in my entire life.