Impurity (DI Gardener 1)

“Yes, that’s it. He also wore a black leather jacket. There was something on the back. It looked like a golden bird. There was some writing as well, but I wasn’t close enough to see what it said.”

“Had you ever seen him before the day in question?” asked Gardener.

“Not that I can remember.”

A rattling sound in the direction of the back door drew Gardener’s attention. He watched an overweight black cat squeeze its way through the cat flap.

“Any distinguishing features? Did he have a limp? Was there anything odd in his manner?” asked Gardener.

Janet Soames thought for a moment before replying. “It all happened so quickly. And it seemed so natural. The younger boy didn’t seem troubled. In fact, the youth held a carrier bag in one hand. He was trying to eat fish and chips with the other, which is why I thought th

ey might be brothers.”

“But you hadn’t seen the teenager before?” pressed Gardener. “Had you ever noticed anyone else collecting David Vickers. An adult?”

“No. Sometimes he was with friends, sometimes he was on his own.”

Gardener frowned. A twelve-year-old boy leaving school without supervision, particularly after two teenage girls had gone missing, was asking for trouble.

“Where were you when you saw them?”

“The living room. I’ll show you.”

The room was big and bright and smelled of pine. Aside from a blue Dralon Chesterfield suite, the only furniture it contained was a bookcase and a coffee table. There were no net curtains at the windows, which let in the full light of daytime.

“I was here, by the chair.”

“What happened?”

“I was using the vacuum cleaner, when I noticed the two of them walking past the gate, together.”

Gardener noted a hesitation, a quiver in her voice. She was holding something back.

“And?”

“Past the school bus.”

“Did he normally catch the school bus?”

Janet Soames paused again. “I think so.”

“But not this time?” persisted Reilly.

“I don’t think so, no.” Gardener saw the tears forming in her eyes.

“Is there anything else you can add to what you’ve told us?”

She wiped her eyes with a tissue, and brightened a little. “Yes. The youth had a carrier with the name of the fish-shop on it. Barker’s.” She pointed to her left. “It’s about half a mile from the school in a block of small shops on the right. If they went in there, maybe Mr Barker can tell you something.”

Gardener passed her his card. “Thank you, Mrs Soames. You’ve probably been more helpful than you realize. If you think of anything else, please ring me.”

The two detectives crossed the room. Before leaving, Gardener turned. “One more question. Can I ask why you haven’t told us before now?”

“My husband and I have just come back from America. Well, Sunday actually. It’s taken till now to catch up on the newspapers.”

“Would you recognize the youth again?”

“The jacket, yes. I didn’t see his face.”