‘You think he was there when I was attacked?’
‘It’s possible. He may have seen something. May have a number plate.’ I shrugged.
The professor rubbed Hannah’s back and smiled hopefully.
‘Well, that’s good, then, isn’t it?’ she said.
‘It’s a long shot. But if someone was there when the girls were attacked, when Hannah was taken, it’s something at least.’
‘I just want my dad back,’ said Hannah. Tears starting again in her eyes.
‘And we’re going to get him back. Get dressed, Hannah. We’ve got somewhere safe to take you.’
‘Where?’ asked the professor.
‘Not far.’
‘Give me two minutes,’ said Hannah.
The professor held out her arms and gave her another hug, then stroked her cheek. ‘I’ll only be at the end of the phone if you need me. And if you want, I’ll come straight back.’
‘Are you going somewhere … Annabelle?’ Hannah was clearly not happy.
‘A symposium. Up in Harrogate. Maybe I should just cancel …’
Hannah shook her head. ‘I’ll be fine.’
‘We’ll take good care of her, I promise,’ I added.
Seems I had made that promise before but the professor
fixed me with a considering look and then nodded. ‘I guess you will,’ she said. She took a step towards me and held out her hand.
It was as firm a grasp as I remembered, and as warm. I realised I was holding on a tad long. Annabelle looked at me appraisingly. I held her gaze. Not easy with a psychiatrist. You always think they can see right through you. What am I saying? She’s a woman. Most women can see right through me. I’m like the guy from Chicago. And I don’t mean Walt Disney.
‘You’ll keep me posted, Mister Carter?’
‘Of course.’
Chapter 81
DI JAMES JIGGLED some keys in her hands.
They were the spare keys to the optician’s, a scant hundred yards from where the shop’s owner had been blown into pieces.
‘I’m not sure I should be doing this,’ she said.
Kirsty Webb bit on her lower lip. It was a big ask and she knew that. Going outside the official channels in an investigation was not looked on kindly. The police force was like the army. You had to work together as a team. That was drummed into you every bit as hard at Hendon as it was in any army boot camp.
‘Far as anyone knows, there is no connection between the body in Stoke Mandeville morgue and the recently deceased optician,’ Kirsty said finally.
‘Except we know there is.’
‘You phone it in … and it’s out of our hands.’
‘I know that, too.’
‘There could be some serious kudos going round with this collar if we make it.’