‘So this is what it’s all about. I never left the building all night. You can check my CCTV. You can ask Elvis.’
‘Elvis?’
He beckoned over the young man who was behind the bar. ‘Elvis. Did I leave the pub last night, at all? Remember when that miserable bird left.’
As the man came closer, Gina could see his little quiff better. He couldn’t have been any older than twenty-five. ‘It was only me and him on last night,’ Elvis said.
‘Thank you.’ Gina made a note. ‘Is Elvis your real name?’
The lad shook his head. ‘No, I do an Elvis impersonation on the karaoke, it just stuck. It’s Robin Dawkins.’
‘Thank you.’ Gina made a note of Samuel’s alibi.
As Gina went to speak, Samuel interrupted. ‘So you can be on your way now, Detectives. There’s nothing more to tell here. It wasn’t me. I bet that has ruined your day.’
Gina didn’t want to tell him that it had. ‘Have you seen this girl?’ She held Phoebe’s photo up.
‘I saw the appeal on the news this morning but apart from that, no. I hope she turns up. Goodbye, Inspector. Send someone for the CCTV later, I’ll have it ready to collect.’
She grabbed her bag and stood as she watched him sink the rest of his drink. ‘If you remember anything else that may be of help—’
‘I still have your card.’ He walked away, not looking back.
As they left the toasty pub for another chilly blast of air, Gina ran ahead and got into the car. Jacob pulled his jacket over his head as he followed. There was Jacob, protecting his flat short hairstyle while Gina’s had blown and stuck all across her wet face. ‘We have a name!’ She almost high-fived him but stopped herself. ‘Stephanie Baxter. Let’s get back and find out more about her. We need to know where she lives, that would be a start.’ As she pulled out of the car park, her phone rang. ‘Can you get that?’
‘Wyre.’ Jacob nodded and listened until he snapped his fingers.
‘The dogs have come up trumps on the search, guv. We’ve got to get back to the station now.’ She smiled and put her foot down before the lights ahead changed to red. A break in the case was just what they needed.
Fifty-Six
Little Rory placed his hands on the patio doors, leaving a smear of jam on the glass. Mary grabbed a piece of kitchen roll and wiped his mouth. He was dressed and ready to go, just like Ryan had wanted. She glanced at the time. Any minute now, he would knock. Her trembling hands quivered like her insides as she thought of Phoebe, her little hair chewer. A tear slid down her cheek. Her family was falling apart and there was nothing she could do about it. She plastered on a fake smile for Rory, the little ones had been through enough.
As she pulled away, Clare barged through the kitchen door, earphones on as she opened the fridge door and pulled out a can of pop. Mary took note that Clare had done her hair and had even put on a smear of lipstick – understated but pretty. ‘He’s late. Shall I call him?’
‘No. He’ll be here soon.’ Silence filled the air. ‘I bet Rory’s looking forward to seeing Jasmine, aren’t you?’
He shook his head. ‘Want to stay with Nanny.’
Clare tensed up. ‘Any news on Phoebe?’
Mary shook her head. ‘Howard’s joined the search party. I have to stay here, in case she turns up. I don’t know why they’re going out there with dogs. She can’t be out there, she can’t…’
‘She won’t be, Mum.’
Mary glanced at her watch again. It would certainly make things easier with Harrison when Rory had gone home but Mary didn’t want him to go. When she looked in his huge dark eyes, all she could see was Susan when she was two. His curly locks always fell over his forehead just like his mother’s had. ‘Your daddy is missing you.’
‘Okay, Nanny. But I can come again soon.’
She nodded and kissed his forehead. ‘Always. Nanny loves you.’
There was a knock at the door and Clare placed her can on the table before dashing to open it. Susan knew her daughter and flirting with her sister’s not quite ex-husband wasn’t on and Mary would make that known even though she knew Clare would think she was having a go at her.
‘Clare,’ Ryan said as she let him in and he headed towards the kitchen. ‘Hello, little man. I’ve missed you so much.’
The boy stood in front of the patio doors, oblivious to the heavy raindrops that were tapping the glass. ‘Want to stay with Nanny.’
A wail filled the air as Harrison began pattering along the hallway, awoken by the knock. He was now awake, just when Mary was preparing for an afternoon of peace. Clare hurried out of the room to keep an eye on him.
