Thirty-Seven

While giving their statements at the station, Rex and Alistair learned that Sutter had been spotted by a helicopter sent in to conduct a sweep of Brightlingsea. Fleeing on foot, he had reached the housing estate on the inland side of town and had ducked out of sight.

An hour later, a police dog tracked him to a garden shed where, heavily outnumbered and surrounded by a tactical support unit, he had been smoked out and had resisted arrest. The shed belonged to his great aunt, who had not appeared unduly concerned when he was taken into custody. His mother had already left on the bus to the train station, apparently to return to her post in Canterbury.

It transpired that Annie planned to take care of her aunt on the understanding she would inherit the house when she died. Aunt Fifi made it clear to police that she did not approve of her great nephew’s criminal record and had refused to let him stay with her, and so he rented a caravan at the campsite.

Rex wondered what would have happened to Lindsay by Tuesday, when Tims had said Sutter was vacating it. Moving her to another place would have been risky. He had already kept her for over two weeks. Rex did not fancy her chances, considering what had happened to April Showers.

Now headed back to Canterbury, he sank into the padded seat while Alistair drove. He found himself squinting in the glare of oncoming headlights and closed his heavy lids. Lindsay was on her way back to Kent to be reunited with her parents and sister, who were driving out to meet her halfway. Alistair had put on the seat warmers, and Rex felt the length of his spine finally begin to relax after sitting in an uncomfortable chair at the station for what had seemed like ages.

His friend set some classical music on low, as though anticipating Rex’s desire to think events through. And think he did as they regained the A12.

The private investigator had said Sutter senior had died in a homeless shelter two months before, from liver complications. Dan’s sister had left home at fifteen. That left his mother, who had unaccountably agreed to keep Lindsay captive. Annie might be an elderly woman, but Rex felt little compassion.

He called Phoebe and asked whether she had returned yet.

“I don’t think so. I’ve been upstairs working on some new curtains to keep my mind off things. Did you find him?”

“Aye, he’s been holed up at a campsite in Brightlingsea. Annie’s been staying at her aunt’s house there. Did you not see the news?”

“No, why?”

“Sutter is the man who snatched Lindsay Poulson from Dover.”

Phoebe gave a small scream. “Are you sure?”

“We found the girl in his caravan. I think he might have been thinking of fleeing to France but could not resist another abduction before leaving our shores.”

“Another abduction?”

“Lindsay told us he had taken another girl, in Edinburgh. I’m almost certain it was April Showers.”

“So Richard Pruitt was right about him. Oh my goodness, this is a lot to take in, Rex. Are you still in Essex?”

“We’re approaching the Dartford Tunnel and then we’re going straight to Canterbury Station to meet Annie off the train. If it’s the one we think she’s on, we might just make it. Ring me if she turns up in the meantime, and just pretend you don’t know anything. Can you do that?”

“I’ll try. I think I need a stiff drink.”

Rex hoped Phoebe would stick to only one and not make it too stiff. She needed to keep her wits about her. As did they.