Closing In. Sue Fortin

      ‘Hello, Kate. How are you?’ His voice sounded lifeless.

      She gave him a quizzical look. ‘I’m fine, thanks.’

      He nodded and cast a downward look, shuffling from one foot to another. ‘Good. That’s good.’

      ‘Are you all right?’ she asked.

      Toby shrugged. ‘Yeah. Well, no. Not really.’ He looked up, raking his hand through his hair. ‘It’s Helen’s birthday next week and I … er … I wanted …’ He threw a glance down the road. ‘Oh, look, I shouldn’t have come. Sorry to bother you.’ He turned and began a slow retreat down the path, shoulders slumped.

      ‘Toby! Wait.’ He paused to give himself time to keep his composure. Facial muscles under control he returned to the front door. Kate had the door wide open now and was standing on the step. ‘What’s up?’

      ‘Helen.’ Even to his own ears, he sounded monotone. ‘I thought I’d got over her leaving but I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m worried about her, Kate. Really worried. I thought she would be in touch by now. I know the police told me she was okay and that she didn’t want to be contacted but …’ He sniffed and wiped at his eyes. ‘I miss her. I need to speak to her. I want her back, Kate. So badly.’

      ‘After what happened? She didn’t run away without a reason.’ He winced at the incredulous tone in her voice and took a moment before answering.

      ‘It wasn’t like she said. You know that.’

      ‘Do I?’

      ‘Yes, you do.’ He looked her straight in the eye and held her gaze. She broke away first. He pushed on, sensing she was faltering. He pulled out an envelope from his jacket pocket. ‘Can you give this to her, please?’

      Kate kept her arms folded and eyed the envelope. ‘I can’t.’

      ‘Please … It’s a birthday card and, here, a small present too.’ He took the slim brown box from his other pocket. A solid-gold bangle with Italian Murano glass beads. Blue ones. Her favourite colour. He pushed the case into Kate’s hand.

      ‘I can’t give these to her because I don’t know where she is. I don’t see her and that’s the truth,’ insisted Kate.

      He believed her. It was what he suspected. He also suspected that she did keep in touch, even if they didn’t actually see each other. If he could just get into Kate’s house and have a poke around, he’d be sure to find something. Drastic times called for drastic measures.

      Making it seem as though he was indecisive and didn’t know whether to stay or go, Toby schooled his face into the bleakest expression he could muster, looking at Kate, then down the path and then back to her again. He went to speak, stopped and then ran his hand down his face in what he hoped looked something like desperation. Sensing Kate’s resolve weakening, with a flourish he flung his arm up against the wall of the house and buried his head in the crook of his elbow. This was followed by a loud and drawn-out exhalation of air, which morphed into a groan.

      ‘Why don’t you come in for a moment,’ said Kate. He felt her tug at his sleeve and allowed himself to be taken indoors. Her voice was softer. The ice maiden was thawing. ‘You can’t stand out there in that state. Mrs Howard, next door, is already twitching at her curtain to see what’s going on.’

      ‘Sorry, Kate. Really, I don’t want to be any trouble.’ He followed her into the lounge.

      ‘Sit there, I’ll make you a coffee but then you’ll have to go.’

      He nodded and sat down on the sofa. The TV was on and although Toby had no interest in the soap, he feigned interest. Out of his peripheral vision he noted Kate hastily scoop up an envelope from the coffee table. He pretended not to notice. He gave it a couple of seconds before turning to look over his shoulder. His timing was perfect. Kate was just placing the envelope between two hardbacks on the bookshelf. A look of guilt swept over her face and she hurriedly pushed the novels back into place.

      ‘Sugar?’ she asked as she went into the kitchen.

      The bookcase was by the side of the doorway to the kitchen. Toby got up and leaned against the door frame, making small talk with Kate while she made the coffee. It wasn’t going to be easy getting hold of that envelope but, with a bit of luck, he should manage it. He took out his phone, and whilst pretending to check for messages, he switched the camera on and muted the sound, all the time continuing to bemoan the loss of Helen. He placed his phone on the bookshelf and while Kate was pouring the boiling water into the cups, he reached out and gave the envelope a quick tug so it was sticking out further from the books.

      Kate passed his cup to him. Right, this was it. Time to sacrifice a good suit but it would be worth it. Toby fumbled with the cup and dropped it onto the tiled kitchen floor. Obligingly the cup broke and coffee spewed everywhere, splashing his trousers in the process.

      Kate gave a small yelp and hopped back out of the way.

      ‘Oh shit! I’m so sorry,’ said Toby, surveying the broken china and the rapidly spreading brown liquid. Kate grabbed some kitchen roll and began tearing off sheets and laying them on the floor, first as a dam and then to soak up the mess. ‘Here, let me.’ Toby offered. Fortunately, Kate refused.

      ‘No, it’s okay. I’ll do it. Don’t worry, it’s only a cup.’

      While she was distracted, Toby moved back into the living room as if trying to stay out of Kate’s way. Standing at the bookcase, he pulled the card out from between the books, laying it flat on the shelf. Checking Kate was still preoccupied, he picked up his phone and took a couple of shots of the address on the envelope. He didn’t have time to study what it said, but if his hunch was right, this was something to do with Helen. ‘I’m so clumsy,’ he said as Kate retrieved a dustpan and brush from under the sink. ‘I’m like it all the time now. A bundle of nerves. This business with Helen, it’s really getting to me.’ He turned away from her, so she couldn’t see his face. Glancing at the envelope, he slid it back between the books and then dropped his phone into his pocket. He wanted to get home. All thoughts of coffee were relegated. ‘I’d better go. I’m sorry about the mess.’ He fashioned a regretful smile, which was met by a nod.

      Once sitting in the safety of his car, Toby looked at the photos on his phone. Shit. The first one was a bit blurred and the second one had completely missed the address. He flicked to the final one. It was slightly out of focus, but he could make out the writing. A frown folded across his face.

       Ellen Newman

       The Lodge,

       Sea Lane,

       Felpham,

      West Sussex.

      It wasn’t the name he was expecting. He’d got it wrong. What a waste of time and a good pair of trousers. He thumped the steering wheel in frustration.

       Chapter Four

      Donovan parked his black Range Rover outside his house. He looked up at the top-floor windows. All was dark. Izzy would, of course, be fast asleep by now. He let out a long sigh and promised himself that he would make time to take her out at the weekend. Entering the house, he was greeted by Carla.

      ‘Good evening, Donovan.’ She smiled, taking his coat from him and handing him the day’s post. ‘Have you had a good day?’

      ‘It was okay, thank you.’ He turned to Carla. ‘How is Izzy?’

      ‘She’s fine. The new nanny arrived today.’ Carla followed him into the study. ‘Ellen Newman.’

      ‘Great, she turned up then. That’s good. And what do you think of her?’

      ‘Too early to say yet.’

      Donovan