Due Process (2 page)

CHAPTER TWO

The detective’s voice echoed in the tiny office at Walsham Police Station. Amanda was still shaking. The tighter she gripped the coffee mug, the more liquid she spilt. How long she had been sitting there, she was unsure. It seemed like days but it was probably a couple of hours. The Police were being very gentle, but she noticed the Detective Constable becoming fidgety.  She couldn’t remember his name.  She could barely remember her own.

“Could you just go over it once more, Mrs. Purcell.?”

She fought to stop screaming.  They were wasting so much time.  She took a gulp of the coffee, trying to keep the mug steady, and swallowed with difficulty.

“Please can this be it,” she pleaded, “I just want to go home. Tony could be there.”

The Detective nodded.

“Just take it slowly.”

Amanda took a breath. Her palms were sweating and she put down the coffee cup. Once more she went over the events at the park, every memory a reminder that her world was collapsing around her.

The Detective was writing.

“Thank you, Mrs. Purcell. I’ve made a note of everything.  Do you think your husband could have gone somewhere? Met someone? Had an appointment and forgot to tell you?”

“No, Detective.  And if you are insinuating that there is another woman and he might have left us, that’s rubbish. We’re very happy.  Tony would not do that. I told you I saw him arguing with two men.”

“I understand that,” the Detective replied, “but it has been known to happen.  Did he take any calls while you were watching Jenny?”

Amanda thought for a moment.

“No.  He was making notes in some book. I thought it was something to do with his work.”

“And his work is?”

“I’ve already told you. He’s a lawyer.”

“Ah yes. With Morgan and Pacey.  In the town.”

He placed his pen carefully on the desk.

“Well, Mrs. Purcell, I’ve got officers speaking to the other people in the park, we’ll put out an APB.  We’re checking to see if there are any CCTV cameras in the area that might have caught something.  The Inspector is on his way in, so he will want to talk with you, and we’re drafting in some officers from other areas to help.  In the meantime I suggest you go home and get some rest.  And please let us know if Mr. Purcell gets in touch.”

Amanda picked up her handbag from the back of the chair.

“You expect me to go home and rest after someone tried to kidnap my child, and my husband is missing? Can you show me where Jenny is, please, I guess it’s up to me to keep her safe.”

There was a knock on the door and a young policewoman entered, bent down, and whispered in the ear of the detective.  A grim look crossed his face.

“Mrs. Purcell, there’s been a development. If you’d like to come with us, we will accompany you back home.”

Amanda looked hopeful.

“What? Have you found him?”

The Detective shook his head.

“No, I’m sorry we haven’t..  There’s been a 999 call from one of your neighbours. It seems there is a fire at your cottage.”

*   *   *

Amanda felt numb as the acrid smoke filled the air, piercing the back of her throat and making her cough.  Flames rose high above the rooftop and the wail of sirens mixed with the crackle and thunder of the fire.  The firemen did their best, shouting to one another to redirect the hoses, and she felt the spray of the water on her face and tasted the sooty air.  Crowds milled around her, exclaiming as the beams and roof exploded and lit up the night sky like November the fifth.

A house fire was big news in a little town, and as well as the police and firefighters and reporters and even a TV crew, she noticed that the townspeople had arrived in droves.  Young people had left the youth clubs, single men had left the pubs, and mothers had brought their children.  She gripped Jenny’s hand tightly, wondering what else was going to happen on this day that had changed her life so dramatically. 

              The headlines tomorrow would say that her traditional Norfolk cottage had been destroyed by a fire. Cause unknown. This news would keep the town busy for many days, if not longer.

Black tendrils of smoke hovered above the onlookers, like a giant octopus stalking its prey. She felt a surge of anger at the spectators chatting to one another as her lovely home began to creak and collapse.  Was it only six years ago, just before Jennifer was born, when they had first seen the house and fallen in love with it?  She loved the character of the pristine white cottage, with its lattice windows and pillar box red front door.  All the lovely roses around the front of the house were now blackened ashes.  Laughter and love had filled this home, and now all those memories were destroyed in an instant, carried away in the devilish breath of the fire. 

She thought back to that morning. How quickly life can change.

But her anger evaporated with the smoke as one person after another came to console her.  There were hugs, and offers of help, and condolences. Someone brought her a mug of tea. These people shared her pain.

  Just a few hours ago she had a husband she loved, a daughter she adored, a beautiful home, and an exciting future ahead.  Now her husband was missing, her home was destroyed, and all she owned was the clothes she stood up in and the contents of her handbag.  She looked down at her daughter, who had only her crumpled pink flowered dress , and a pair of grubby sandals. Jenny’s hand grew rigid as the fire crackled and burned.

“I want my daddy,” she whispered, tears falling down her face. 

“The police will find him,” said Amanda, pulling Jenny close, “I promise. If they don’t, then I’ll find him myself.”

CHAPTER THREE

It was difficult living on a thirty foot boat, but it was the only place she could think of to go. And the only possession they had left. At least it was familiar to Jenny.  They’d never been on the boat without Tony, though. Somehow the movement of the cabin, the whoosh of the water as it caressed the sides, the pounding of the rain on the roof – it all sounded exaggerated.  Tony would have laughed at her.

She thought of him again, now.  The hundredth time that day because he was constantly in her mind, tapping at her brain and trying to tell her something.  What was going on?  Where was he and what had happened?  So many questions but nowhere to find answers.  All his personal things, his briefcase, the files he kept at home, everything that might have explained his disappearance were now ashes.

Living on the boat was temporary, she hoped. But things were getting more complicated.  Investigations were going on regarding the house fire, so any insurance claim was on hold.  And with Tony still missing she could not have access to his bank account. Thank goodness she still had her credit cards.  Finally the police were starting to investigate, but precious time had been lost. 

The niggling doubts had started, but Amanda kept pushing them away.  This was nothing to do with what had happened in the past.  The police seemed to think it was related to Tony’s work in some way. Maybe a client with a grudge. Or perhaps Tony unwittingly knew something he shouldn’t.  After all, he didn’t have the best crop of society for his clients.

But one thing at a time.  She took a deep breath and dialled the number of Morgan and Pacey. 

“This is Amanda Purcell.  Could I speak to my husband’s secretary please?  Sarah Greenwood.”

There was a pause and a few clicks, and Isaac Morgan was on the line.

“Amanda? This must be a dreadful time for you.  Any news?” his voice sounded full of concern.

“Hello Isaac.  I was hoping to speak to Sarah. And no, there is no news.”

“A terrible business.  At least the police are investigating now.  They should put something in the papers.  After all, the park must have been crowded.  Surely someone saw something?”

Amanda found herself gripping the phone so hard that the corner dug into her palm.  She tried to relax.

“I think they are looking into all angles. Isaac, I thought Sarah might have some ideas.  Was there anything going on at work – you know, with one of his clients?  Perhaps if I could talk to her...”

“I’m so sorry, Amanda, I thought you knew. Sarah left a few days ago. About the same time as Tony disappeared, now I think about it.”

Amanda felt her breathing increase, could hear the blood racing round her body as it hammered in her ears, her temperature rising.

“No, I didn’t know.  That was rather sudden.  Did the police talk to her?”

“Well, not while she was here I don’t think.  As I understand it she has gone away.  Left us in a pickle, I have to say, and it’s a real bind trying to find a replacement.”

Amanda put down the phone and another little niggling doubt entered her mind.

  *   *   *

Tony was laughing, his dark hair swept back from his face as the sea wind grazed his skin.  The boat was racing across the water and the sail filled with the breath of the ocean.  Beads of salt water clung to his forehead and ran down into his eyes.  Eyes which were deep blue and dancing with joy. Eyes that said ‘I love you’.

              Jenny was laughing too, her little body engulfed with the bright yellow lifejacket, a rope holding her firmly to the mast. It must be a Sunday, because Tony was not at work.  He was here with them and they were being a family and doing things that a family do together.

              Suddenly the waves were crashing over the side of the boat. Tony tried to haul in the sail, and Amanda stumbled over to untie the rope that held Jenny safe.  The rope was wet and tight.  Her fingers were cold and numb and she couldn’t loosen the rope.  Jenny began to cry.

              “It’ll be alright,” whispered Amanda. “The sail is down, we’ll soon be ashore.”

              Then Jenny screamed.  When Amanda turned, Tony was gone.

Amanda awoke in tears, her body covered in perspiration.  She whispered his name.
Tony. Tony.
  She sat up in bed and reached out to the cold pillow beside her.
Where are you?
Every night when she went to bed, and every morning when she woke, her mind went over the weeks and days before that fateful day at the park.  There was nothing that gave her a reason to think all was not well.  He had said nothing, had slept well, had been loving and considerate to her and to Jenny.  He had worked late, sometimes at the office and sometimes at home, but that was not unusual.  His clients demanded his attention 24/7 and he was there for them. That was what made him a good lawyer.

              But things did not add up.  There was no reason for Tony to disappear; who were the mysterious men that had taken him and tried to take Jenny; why had the house burned to the ground; and why had Tony’s secretary left work with no warning?

              The police had no answers. Amanda decided she had to find out for herself, and a plan began to form in her mind.  She dialed.

              Isaac was positively purring on the line.

              “Amanda. What can I do for you?”

              “Isaac, I think we can help each other.  I need a job for a few days, and you are in a muddle because Sarah has left.”

              “And…?” began Isaac.

              She took a deep breath.

              “Well, I know how Tony works. Can I come and help out, just until you get someone more permanent? As you know, with the fire and everything…”

              “Of course, Amanda, what an excellent idea. And as you say, it will help us, too. I’ll speak to human resources and get it arranged. How soon can you start?”

*   *   *

              As Amanda climbed the stairs to the offices of Morgan and Pacey she wondered what on earth she was doing.  Tony had been missing for five days and the police were no nearer to finding out what had happened or more importantly, where he might be. She walked unsteadily towards the reception.

              “Amanda Purcell. I‘m here for the temporary secretary’s job.”

              Amanda tried not to shudder as the fingers of fear crept up her spine. She could do this. The office was buzzing.  Phones were ringing constantly and people were hurrying from room to room carrying bundles of files and papers.  The fax machine churned out page after page of documents, the motor gurgling.  Someone specializing in interior design definitely had a thing for green.  The walls were a mellow lime with soft green carpet on the floors and green pines in painted pottery adorning the corners. Clients sat in the waiting area or paced the corridors, and two receptionists fielded calls from a flashing switchboard.

              After ten minutes with Helen from human resources, she was given the rundown on the criminal and litigation team. Helen made a phone call, and soon a young girl arrived and introduced herself as Megan.  Together they walked down the lush corridor, with doors leading off in all directions like capillaries from an artery. A door to their right was closed, the name plate missing.  Megan opened the door and hurried inside.

              Amanda was dumbstruck.  She was standing inside Tony’s office.  She knew because she could sense him there. She recalled she had visited on one occasion. The leather-clad desk still stood by the window, with the matching leather swing chair between the desk and the window.  Tony had often remarked how he preferred to work with his back to the outside world.  So he wasn’t tempted to get out there and join it.

              The desk was piled high with files.

              “Right, this is the plan,” said Megan, sweeping her hand across the desk, “you need to go through all these files and make a note of everything that is pending, like court dates, appointments, briefings that need doing, that sort of thing.  Then prioritise them, and we’ll find some articled clerks to fill in as best we can.”

              “I’m on it,” said Amanda.

              She sat slowly in Tony’s chair, her hands feeling the soft leather of his desk, her eyes scanning the covers of the files of his clients.  Somewhere in the pile of papers she might just find an answer. But she didn’t hold out much hope.