He’s taken a seat on a Chesterfield sofa.
“I gave her everything. I bought her the big house, a nice car. Jewelry. Dresses. I’ve never been unfaithful. Never even thought about it.”
“You should go home, Mr. Hadley.”
He doesn’t seem to be listening. “Things used to be all right before Piper went missing, but after that everything changed. Losing Piper crippled Sarah emotionally. She changed. We hardly touch each other. It’s been months…”
I don’t need to know this. I don’t want to know this.
“I gave her time. Space. I supported her.”
“You did the right thing.”
“Really? Do you think so?”
“Yes.”
“Why did she sleep with Vic McBain? He’s uneducated, uncouth, foul-mouthed…”
Because he’s not you, I want to say, but I don’t. When Sarah Hadley looks at Vic McBain, she doesn’t have to soak up anyone else’s pain. She can deal with her own grief, without having to share someone else’s. She can look into someone else’s eyes and feel something other than pain and loss.
I don’t say any of these things because his mobile is ringing. He doesn’t recognize the number. He’s about to cut off the call, but changes his mind.
“Hello?”
…
“Who is this?”
…
“I’m sorry, I can’t hear… can you say that again?”
…
“Piper? Oh my God! Piper!”
…
“We’ve been so worried. We’ve looked everywhere. We didn’t stop looking. I can’t believe it, sweetheart. Where are you?”
…
“Wait. I’m going to put you on speakerphone.”
“Daddy?”
“I’m here.”
“You have to come and get me.”
“I will. Tell me where you are?”
“I don’t know. But he’s after me.”
“Who?”
“The man who owns this phone. I don’t know his name, but he’s looking for me. I called the police, but they wanted me to give them a street or a house number and I told them I don’t know where I am. He has Tash, Daddy. He caught her when she tried to run away. You have to help us.”
“You’re breaking up, Piper. Try to stand still.”
Can you hear me now?”
“Yes.”
“Are you crying, Daddy?”
“I’m just really happy.”
“So am I. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Yours too.”
“I didn’t run away, Daddy. We talked about doing it, but we didn’t get a chance. A man took us. Can you tell Mum? I don’t want her thinking that I don’t love her. And tell Phoebe and Ben and my little sister. What’s her name?”
“Jessica.”
“That’s pretty.”
“What did you tell the police?”
“Just what I told you. Tash escaped but he caught her again. I couldn’t find her and I’m scared he’s going to do something to her if I don’t go back.”
“Don’t worry about Tash. Tell me where you are.”
“I don’t know.”
“We’re going to find you, baby. They’ll trace the call.”
“He’s still looking for me. I have to hide.”
“Can you wait a second, sweetheart?”
“Don’t go away.”
“I won’t.”
I can hear him having a conversation. Someone is talking about calling the police.
“Are you there?”
“I’m here, Daddy.”
“The police are trying to find you. Stay on the line. Don’t move, Piper.”
“What if he comes? I’m scared.”
“I know you are. I’m with a man called Joe. He’s going to talk to you.”
“Hello, Piper.”
“Hi.”
He has a nice voice, soft but strong, not wheedling like George.
“Where are you right now?” he asks. “Describe it for me.”
“I’m in a forest, standing on a ridge. I couldn’t get any signal so I climbed higher. I don’t have much battery left.”
“Where did you get the phone?”
“I took it from George.”
“Is that the man who’s been holding you?”
“Yeah.”
“His name is George?”
“I don’t know. Tash called him George. She said he looked like George Clooney, but he doesn’t really, not unless George Clooney has put on weight and got ugly. Has he got ugly?”
“My wife doesn’t think so.”
“That’s good.”
“What can you see, Piper?”
“Trees.”
“Anything else—a landmark, a river, or a road or a railway line?”