I thought we were looking for a woman, says Clough.
A slight man could be mistaken for a short-haired woman, says Nelson. Bob had reason to resent both Justine and Judy. Follow it up, can you Tim?
Sure, says Tim. I think this whole Childminder thing is key. Maybe were looking for an ex-childminder or someone wrongly accused of abusing a child in their care.
You sound like Madge Hudson, says Nelson, but he has to admit that Tim has a point. Madges (unsolicited) opinion is that the capital C in Childminder implies that this is the abductors whole identity. Its as if theyre a superhero, like Batman or Zorro. Someone righting wrongs whilst in disguise.
So were looking for someone in a bat suit, Nelson had said.
Madge had smiled tolerantly. The definite article is significant too. The Childminder. Like The Terminator or The Avenger. Its indicative of a monomaniacal sense of self-importance.
OK, Nelson says now. Tanya, you do a trawl for any police cases involving childminders. Highlight anything in this area or anything involving abduction.
Right, says Tanya. Normally she would complain about being given office-based work but today no-one is complaining.
Cloughie, you check up on the door-to-door. Make sure the uniforms havent missed anything.
OK, Boss.
Is anyone at Judys house? asks Tanya.
The house is under surveillance, says Nelson, but I want police presence to be low-key. Remember the abductor returned Poppy at a time when the house was quiet. Im hoping that they may do the same again.
We ought to see how she is, says Clough.
I will, says Nelson. Ill call in now. After all, someone needs to keep Cathbad under control.
But Cathbad is not at the house. He is sitting on a bench outside the Old Customs House with his daughter. As its still early the only other inhabitants of the quay are an aged tramp and a woman who appears to be giving a solo aerobics exhibition.
I couldnt do that, says Maddie, as the woman bends backwards into a croquet hoop shape.
Why would you want to? says Cathbad.
Im not fit enough, says Maddie. I used to do Tai Kwando every day.
Cathbad doesnt think that Maddie looks strong enough for martial arts. Shes too thin for a start. Cathbad is thin himself but hes wiry, he thinks of it as a typical Irish peasants build. Theres a frailty to Maddie, as if a strong wind would blow her down. As least shes eating, they stopped to buy croissants and hot chocolate on the way. Cathbad couldnt eat so Maddie demolished both croissants. She drinks her chocolate the way all teenage girls do, hunched over it like a vagrant. Cathbad is horrified to find himself wanting to tell her to sit up straight. Good God, hes turning into a fascist.
Is there any news? Maddie asks. About the little boy?
Cathbad shakes his head. He, Judy and Darren stayed up all night, sometimes dozing in their chairs but always alert for that knock on the door, the knock that never came. At dawn Judy had become hysterical. Darren called the doctor who prescribed tranquillisers. Two pills washed down with coffee turned Judy back into a living statue, staring blankly out of the window. At eight Cathbad could bear it no longer. He had called Maddie and suggested a walk by the river. He hadnt meant to tell her about Michael – now isnt the time after all – but, draining the last of her drink, Maddie says, This little boy, the policewomans son, is he yours?
Cathbad nods. He doesnt trust himself to speak.
So hes my half-brother.
This aspect of things hadnt occurred to Cathbad. He ponders the self-obsession of teenage girls. Even in this situation, Maddie thinks of things only in relation to herself. But, then again, arent we all like that really? Its just that as we get older we hide it better.
Yes, he says. Hes your brother. I cant wait for you to meet him.
To her credit, Maddie does not betray any unease at this remark. She doesnt look overjoyed at the prospect, its true, but she doesnt seem to doubt that the meeting will one day take place.
Ive got enough brothers, she says. Id like a sister.
Do you still miss her? Scarlet?
Maddie turns to look at him. He had forgotten about her extraordinary eyes. Photographs do not do them justice.
What do you think?
If one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers but the seed remains.
And thats meant to be helpful, is it?
You sound like Nelson.
I liked Nelson, says Maddie. He was kind to me but he seemed sort of sad.
Hes had a tough few years.
And I love Rebecca. Weve become like sisters.
Cathbad wonders if Maddie is going to spend her life in search of sisters. He says, Why did you come back here, Maddie?
You told me to speak to Nelson.
I meant on the phone. I didnt mean turn up and become one of the family.
Is that what he said? That Im like one of the family?
I havent talked to him about you. Hes got other things on his mind at the moment.
Oh yes. Michael. Well … She turns to Cathbad and he can see the sun gleaming through her hair. She looks like an angel. Well, I came because of Liz. I knew she was innocent, you see. And I suppose I always felt guilty about Liz. Because of Bob.
What do you mean, because of Bob?
Bob and I were lovers. Three years ago, when I was sixteen.
CHAPTER 29
Are you joking?
Clough looks embarrassed, an expression that seems entirely wrong on him. He looks down. Its just that I promised Judy.
Judy wanted you to consult a psychic? Judy?
Cathbad was there. Michael Malone. It was his idea.
It would be. So when is this woman coming in?
This afternoon.
Well, youd better deal with her. I havent got the time to waste.
OK, Boss.
They are standing by the river bank watching the search teams wade through the shallow water. Its a beautiful spot, the river winding into the distance, fields lush with summer grass, the castle in the background. But neither Nelson nor Clough is getting any pleasure from the view. This is one of the grimmest parts of any search. The idea that a child may have wandered to an accidental death seems almost worse than the thought of a faceless abductor. If Michael is with The Childminder, theres a good chance that hes still alive. If hes here, on the other hand, his little body trapped in the reeds or floating unobserved out to the sea, thats too horrible to contemplate. But the search must be done. Tom Henty, the sergeant in charge, has made his report and is now preparing to brief the group of volunteers who have gathered on the bank, clutching rakes and hoes and anything else they think might be helpful. Nelson appreciates that they want to help but he can see an eagerness on some faces, a suppressed excitement, that makes him want to arrest the lot of them for wasting police time.
Come on, says Nelson. Lets get back to the station. Were doing no good here.
How was Judy when you saw her? asks Clough.
In a pretty bad way. Shed taken some tranquillisers. I couldnt get anything out of her. Darren was coping with everything. I only hope he doesnt crack up too.
Was Malone there?
Apparently hed taken the dog out for a walk.
Clough grunts, as if this unsupportive behaviour is only to be expected but, as they approach their car, they see Cathbad coming towards them.
Nelson thinks that Cathbad looks worse than ever. Hes not wearing his cloak and, in jeans and a t-shirt, looks thin and unkempt, an impression only reinforced by the presence of a bull terrier on a string lead. Cathbad must really care about Judy, thinks Nelson, to look so utterly derelict.
Hallo, Cathbad. Hallo, Thing. Nelson tries to contain the dogs enthusiastic welcome. At least somebodys smiling, he thinks.
Any news? asks Cathbad.
Nelson shakes his head. Weve got all teams on to it though. Well find him. If he keeps saying it, it must be true.
Ive contacted the psychic, Clough cuts in. Can you tell Judy?
The faintest trace of a smile crosses Cathbads drawn face. Ill tell her. Thanks Dave.
Been out for a walk? says Nelson.
I met up with Maddie in Lynn, says Cathbad. Just felt I had to get out of the house for a bit.
Shes a nice girl, Maddie, says Nelson. Michelle and I liked her very much.
She likes you too, says Cathbad. Thanks for looking after her.
Theres a slightly awkward pause. A group of policemen pass by with German Shepherds on leads. Thing strains and pants, wanting to follow them.
She did say one thing that disturbed me though, says Cathbad. I think I ought to tell you. Its about Bob Donaldson.
This is police harassment, says Bob. I could sue.
Im simply asking you to account for your movements yesterday afternoon, says Tim. Thats hardly harassment.
This is to do with that missing child, isnt it? You think I did it.
Thats an interesting conclusion to jump to, says Tim. Why would I think that?
Bob looks away. They are sitting in his study, a room crammed with computers, speakers and sundry pieces of electronic equipment. Bob Donaldson has a disconcerting habit of looking at his laptop when he speaks, as if hes reading the words from the screen. Tim wonders whether this is a distancing device or if it means something more sinister. The laptop is on Bobs left and, according to a neuro-linguistic programming course that Tim once attended, looking to the left can indicate that the subject is lying.
I know youve all got it in for me, says Bob. You fitted me up for one crime, why not pin every child murder in the last twenty years on me? His voice rises hysterically.
That seems rather an extreme reaction, says Tim. I just asked what you were doing yesterday afternoon.
Bob sighs and his eyes flick up and left. I was here, working.
Anyone with you?
No. Aliona was at college.
What time did she get back?