CHILDHUNT: A Mystery & Suspense Thriller in the Bestselling Diana Rivers Series (The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 5) (11 page)

The Cypriot office pursed his lips and made a sucking noise between his teeth. “Perhaps not…normally. But maybe she went a little mad…it happens all the time. I’ve seen other women go completely crazy, and of course, there is the history of last time…” He waved a folder in his hand, and William guessed he had obtained a copy of the case concerning Debbie and her first two children, faxed over from England. William almost groaned in despair. Sometimes, technology these days worked against you.

William bent over the table and clenched his hands into fists. He glanced up at the ceiling, ignoring the inspector. “I need help, not hindrance. My wife was innocent then just as she is now.”

He stood up straight and looked around the room as if for the first time. It was in chaos. Items had been removed from the drawers of a dresser and strewn haphazardly on the floor. The police had made a quick search throughout the house before concentrating their efforts outside. A police photographer had arrived and was taking photographs of the kitchen and the den. William noticed where Debbie had obviously spilt coffee over her computer; it had dried to a sticky smear across the keys. Every policeman seemed to have a mobile telephone, and they all seemed to ring at once, every five minutes. William wanted to take their own house phone off the hook, but decided against it in case someone rang with news of the children. So far, there had been little aggravation from the media, and William thanked Cyprus for living partially in the ‘dark ages’. Had they been in the USA or the UK, they would have had hoards of cameramen, photographers and reporters banging on the front door by then.

The inspector answered his own mobile yet again and finished the call saying, “I’ll make a statement later. Yes, yes, later.”

William dreaded the idea of the newspapers and TV getting in on the act. He would never forget the haunted look on Debbie’s face when he last saw her. Feeling frustrated, he elbowed past the inspector, who was making another call, and rushed upstairs. William had left Debbie resting in their bedroom, and when he opened the door, he saw Diana sitting on one side of the bed, and he registered that the visiting doctor was on the point of leaving. Catching his eye, William half raised his hands in a gesture of appeal. Putting down his black case, the physician nodded, moved across the room to Debbie and spoke in a calm voice.

“Debbie, William has come to see you. Debbie, I’m sure you can hear me. I said William is here. He’s worried about you. Please talk to him, Debbie.”

William hurried to his wife’s side and knelt down. Debbie was lying in a similar position to when he left her. He saw that someone—Diana most probably—had removed her wet, mud-stained clothes and dressed her in a warm dressing gown. William felt his heart wrench. She looked so fragile and helpless lying there. He was instantly reminded of how much alike Debbie and Hannah were and nearly broke down.

“Darling, it’s me, William. Debbie, please listen. You’ve got to help the children. The police are trying to find them. We’ve got to find them. Darling, please try and remember what happened because Hannah and Charlie need you, and only you can help.” His voice was low and thick with emotion.

The doctor coughed. “Careful, William,” he said softly. “I’ve given her a sedative because she’s very shocked. So far, she hasn’t responded to anything I’ve asked her. I believe it might have something to do with the email.”

William stared at Debbie for a moment before switching his attention to the older man. “Maybe you’re right, but we’ve got to be sure.” He moved his gaze from the kind, sensitive face of the practitioner and spoke to his wife in a gentle voice. “Debbie, sweetheart, please don’t worry about the email. I know all about it, and I’ll deal with it. The important thing now is to find the children. You must help us. Can you tell us why you were digging in the orchard with your bare hands? Did you lose something?”

Debbie’s eyes flew open and she shuddered. She moved her lips and uttered a strangled cry. “Will! You have to find them…hurry.”

“Yes, of course, darling. But you have to help us.”

On hearing his words, she struggled to sit up and caught hold of his arm. William looked down and saw her torn and dirty fingernails. He noticed she had specks of soil on her face and in her hair. Why had she been out in the orchard in that dreadful weather? What business had she digging at that time of day and on someone else’s land? A feeling of deepest desolation hit him. Unless…

The doctor shifted his weight from one foot to another. “The sedative should help her keep calm, but it won’t knock her out. Don’t overtax her, as she might have a relapse. I have to leave now, William, but please don’t hesitate to call me if things take a turn or you’re worried about anything else.”

William nodded dumbly, and Diana watched the doctor as he left the room. Her gaze fluttered back to the desperate woman lying on the bed. She too wondered why Debbie’s hands were so filthy.

*****

Debbie fell back upon her pillows. She felt so weak and strange, dizzy and vague. It reminded her of a very long time ago. She struggled to remember exactly when. All she could tell was it had something to do with when her parents died. She recalled how dreadfully depressed she had been and how she had almost given up the will to live. Losing both parents at once was an appalling experience for a young woman. Debbie was an only child and had always been close to her mum and dad. She recalled feeling completely lost and bereft after their accident; she had never been alone in the world before.

She corrected herself. She hadn’t been entirely alone—just without any close relations. Thank goodness Claude was on the scene. When she told him about the accident, she broke down in floods of tears. He had been so supportive, kind and loving. It was Claude who arranged their funeral and helped her write short thank-you notes to sympathisers. He worked tirelessly, helping her choose suitable music and prayers at the funeral, organising a cold buffet after the service for the mourners. Nothing had been too much trouble. She did everything he suggested as if she was in a dream; she felt so tired and pathetic. Claude had been a strong person to lean on while she was in that lethargic state. When he insisted they get married soon after, she was so relieved. Dear Claude, he was so sweet and understanding back then, but it was a long time ago. She tried not to think about Claude or Sally and Stuart.

“Sweetheart. Debbie. It’s me, William. We need your help. Can you tell us why you were digging in the Dinos’ orchard?”

Debbie dragged her eyes from William’s intense look to her hands. They were filthy! What had she been doing? The children…did she think they were buried somewhere in the orchard?

She closed her eyes while she tried to remember. She felt Diana gently squeeze her hand. She was a mother too, she would understand. Debbie moved restlessly against the pillows and tried once more to sit up. She felt William’s arm slide around her back as he supported her. Her mind cried out in denial; it would be so much easier to just slip back into unconsciousness. Then she wouldn’t have to bear the pain. She could sleep for hours like she did before.

“Can I get you anything, Debbie? Would you like a glass of water or perhaps some tea?” Debbie opened her eyes, and Diana’s face slid into view. She smiled at Debbie.

“Yes please,” she whispered. Her eyes followed Diana as she left the room. “William,” she murmured. “The email, have you seen it? Do you think others will have been sent it? Oh, William, they’ll all know. What can I do? Charlie and Hannah, we must find them. They’re my babies, my sweet babies.”

William drew her closer to him and rocked her gently in his arms. Time seemed to stand still as they both struggled to keep the hysteria from rising to the surface. Eventually, William found his voice. “It’s okay, darling. Thank God you can speak. I was so afraid. Listen to me. You have to tell us everything that happened this morning. What did you do after I left for work?”

The door opened, and Diana entered with a tray and three cups. “I took the liberty of making tea for you too, William. You must need a drink.”

He nodded his thanks and took two cups from the tray.

“How is she?” Diana asked softly.

“I think she’s a little better. She’s going to try and remember exactly what happened this morning.”

“Um, the police inspector is downstairs. The police have finished their initial search and so far have found nothing. They say the bad weather is hampering their efforts. The inspector wants to question Debbie.”

Debbie gasped in panic and stiffened in William’s arms. “William! We have to find them.”

“Hush, darling. Don’t fret, we will.”

Diana walked back to her chair and sat down. “Here, Debbie, have a drink. It’ll help you feel better. You must be so cold after being outside in the snow.”

Debbie took the proffered cup and gulped the tea down. She still felt shaky and spaced out; she needed to lose the drowsiness. At least she could talk now. When William first found her, she couldn’t utter a word. She needed to make them understand how urgent it was to find Hannah and Charlie. When William took the empty cup from her shaking hand, she pushed his arm away and sat up properly. She took a deep breath before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She had to get downstairs and start looking for their children herself. It was futile lying here waiting for something to happen…like last time. She peered into William’s face; her husband, her lover and the father of her babies—he had to understand.

“William, I didn’t hurt them.”

“Darling, of course you didn’t. I know that.”

Debbie stood up and swayed. Her eyes became unfocused and her head swam. It took the utmost effort to compose herself. Diana stood up and took her arm. “Here. Let me help you,” she said smiling.

Diana was nice. Debbie realised she needed a good friend. When all this was over she would make sure she thanked her. She bit back a sob. When all this was over? Maybe it had only just begun?

With William one side and Diana the other, Debbie groped her way towards the door. Her legs felt odd, it was like they weren’t there. Oh, God. This was so like one of her old nightmares. When she dreamt Hannah and Charlie had been taken from her. Would she wake up, only to find it was another terrible dream? Once or twice a week, she still woke up and padded down the passage to check on the children. She had this strong urge to make sure they were tucked up in their beds and fast asleep. She never told William about her nightmares and never woke him, but he still managed to somehow know, because he would pull her tightly into him and cuddle her close until morning.

Slowly, the three of them descended the stairs and walked into the den. A hush descended over everyone, and all eyes followed Debbie. She looked around the crowded room; it seemed to be full of police.

“Where would you like to sit down, Debbie?” asked Diana, and Debbie took comfort from the other woman’s firm grip on her arm. “Near the fire?”

Once she was seated, Inspector Christopopodoulou swaggered over and pulled up a chair in front of her. Debbie looked across at the small Cypriot man with the pockmarked face. She could almost feel the hostility oozing from his pores, and she wanted to cry out that she hadn’t done anything wrong. She stopped herself shivering just in time. She had to be strong!

“Mrs Debbie. How are you? Now the doctor has left, I need to ask some questions.”

Debbie knew from his manner he was asking after her health out of habit. He neither cared nor was interested in her reply. “I…I’m okay.”

“We have searched the immediate area for your children, but so far have found nothing. But let me tell you, I have every confidence we will find them. Now, can you tell me when you last saw the children?” He smiled, and his voice acquired a softer, almost conciliatory tone.

Debbie bit her lower lip and looked down at her hands. Her thoughts went back to that morning. William had already left for work, and Charlie and Hannah were at the kitchen table. She suggested they have their morning break early because she wanted to finish cleaning. It hadn’t taken her long.

“It must have been just before ten o’clock. I made sure they had their coats and scarves on and then let them play outside.”

“I see. And how long were you cleaning?”

Debbie raised a pale face to the inspector. For some reason, she felt guilty for leaving them outside. “After I finished upstairs, I quickly ran the vacuum round the kitchen. It must have been about twenty minutes, maybe twenty-five, but no longer.”

“So you were cleaning. Then what did you do?”

“I…I remember seeing someone out walking in the distance just before I went downstairs. I couldn’t be sure who it was. At the time I thought it was Roger.” She glanced in his direction, and he nodded affirmation.

“It could well have been me,” he said.

“Then I put the cleaner away and made some coffee. Afterwards I brought it into here and looked at my emails.”

“I see. So what happened next?”

“I saw the one about me,” she said quietly.

“What did you think when you saw it? How did you react?”

“I was upset. My first reaction was to delete it, and when I grabbed the mouse, I upset my coffee. Then I thought about Charlie and Hannah. I think I screamed.”

“So you upset the coffee? There was no one else here who might have done it?”

Puzzled she shook her head. “No.”

“Why did you scream? Was it because of the email, or were you thinking of your children?”