Chapter Fifty-Seven

STILL SMARTING FROM Jocelyn Greaves’s frosty departure, Andy Carstairs realised only gradually that Veronica Start had continued to walk alongside him. When he turned to speak to her, he noticed the huge badly-camouflaged contusion on her face. He paused and she also stopped, turning her face slightly away from him.

“Mrs Start, are you all right? That’s a bad bruise on your face. Don’t you think you should see a doctor?”

She searched his face with an intensity that disturbed him.

“Can I see your ID?” she said.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Can I see your ID? You tell me that you’re a police officer and one of DI Yates’ team. I only have your word for it.”

Andy drew his ID card from his inside jacket pocket and flipped it open.

“Thank you. In answer to your question, no, I’m not OK. I want to seek police protection. Can you tell me how to do it?”

“Yes, but . . .”

“I understand that your priority is to find Cassandra Knipes and the other girl who’s gone. Please believe me when I say I have no idea whether my husband is mixed up in either of their disappearances. I can tell you that he’s dangerously unstable. He has been from the start of our marriage, but he’s got worse over the past few days. I suppose that might tell you something about whether he knows where those girls are. I’m terrified of him. And I’m ashamed: I’ve been behaving like a typical battered wife, too frightened to leave. Not much of a role model for young girls, am I?”

Andy was stunned.

“Of course we can help you,” he said. “Stay with me until we’re finished here. Then I’ll arrange for a WPC to come and escort you to a safe unit.”

“What about my job? Will I have to give it up?”

“Usually employers are sympathetic if people have to take time off in such circumstances. You’ll probably have to confide in Mr Lennard.”

She smiled sardonically.

“I’ll have to think about that. Resignation may be preferable. But thank you. I’m sorry for getting in your way.”

“No problem,” said Andy, trying to summon a grin. Fate seemed not to be on his side today. He’d managed to exchange the company of a brave, independently-minded woman for one who was needy and damaged. He cast another sidelong look at Veronica. He still found her puzzling. He suspected that her plea for help might not be as straightforward as it looked.

“You say your husband’s dangerously unstable. Do you know where he is at the moment?”

“No. And that’s the truth. I know DI Yates doesn’t believe me.”

“Does he have weapons?”

“I don’t know. That’s the truth as well. I’ve never seen him with any: he prefers to use his fists on me. But a man like Matthew would certainly be able to get hold of weapons if he wanted to. Or think of ways to improvise.”