‘Err, this is DI Harte and DS Driscoll. I went to the station and spoke to them about Lindy.’
‘Please come in. Have you found Lindy?’ Much to Pia’s dismay, Simeon chatted as he led them along the wide hallway into a huge open-plan family room. He gestured for them to sit on the couch that had the best view of their sprawling garden. Darkness was falling and bats flew around their mature trees. ‘Take a seat.’
Gina sat on the couch with Jacob. Simeon pulled up a couple of chairs that had been placed against the back wall.
‘Please don’t leave us in suspense. My wife told me what happened.’
Pia stood behind Simeon and shook her head gently as if to say she hadn’t. ‘About going to Lindy’s and the blood, and her not being there.’
Simeon broke the silence. ‘Is she okay? We’re really concerned. Pia has been so worried.’
Gina listened for a moment, trying to fathom if anyone else might be in the house but there wasn’t a single creak. ‘I’m afraid we still haven’t found them but, Pia, could you talk to us again, down at the station.’
‘Why?’
‘It’s nothing, just need to go over a few things.’
Pia didn’t need too much convincing. Gina knew she’d want to talk there, rather than in front of her husband.
‘Err, of course. I can drive and meet you there?’
Gina checked her phone messages. Backup had arrived. ‘It’s okay, we have a car outside.’ She couldn’t force Pia into that car but she didn’t need the last woman in the friendship group going missing.
‘Pia has been through a lot. Her friend is missing. We’ve arranged to meet some of the community to search for Lindy. Does this really have to happen now?’ Simeon frowned.
Gina knew he was confused. ‘It would really help us with our enquiries. First, there is something I need to ask you both.’
Pia raised her brows.
‘Have you seen Justine Crawford today?’
‘Justine? Is she okay?’ Pia began to bite one of her manicured nails. ‘I can call her. She can’t be far. I messaged her to ask if she wanted to join the search but I haven’t had a reply.’
‘Her phone is off,’ Gina replied.
Pia began to shake. ‘Where could she be?’
‘That’s something we also need to talk to you about. You know her better than we do.’ Gina let out a silent sigh under her breath. She couldn’t see that Pia had any involvement but with Lindy missing and Justine on the run, she hoped that Pia would just go with them.
‘I’m coming to the station, too,’ Simeon said. ‘I’ll drive the car and wait for you. Surely my wife won’t be there for long.’
Pia exhaled slowly. ‘Why don’t you give me an hour then come? I’m sure this will take a while.’ Pia raised her brows at Gina.
Gina nodded. ‘There could be a bit of waiting around but you’re welcome to sit in the family room when you get there.’
Again, Gina could see that Pia didn’t want Simeon to be there. Hiding her affair had become Pia’s priority. The clock was still ticking for Lindy. If Pia was hiding anything when it came to seeing Justine, she was going to get it out of her at the station.
‘I’ll do that. I’ll be right behind you, love. Okay?’
Pia placed her head against her husband’s chest and he hugged her like she was the love of his life. Gina felt for him. It was going to bring his world crashing down when he found out about the affair.
While Pia hurried through the house putting her shoes on and looking for her coat, Gina tried to picture Pia hoisting Zavier up and dragging Kain’s dead body down a flight of stairs and loading him into a car, and she couldn’t. This was all about finding Justine, then finding Craig and Danny.
As Gina and Jacob led her to the police car, she left Jacob standing outside with her. Gina leaned in and spoke to the PC. ‘Can you call for another car to be here? I want the house watched in case Justine Crawford turns up.’
‘Already on it. Another car will arrive shortly.’
Gina stood and saw Pia wiping her eyes as she showed her phone to Jacob. She hurried over. ‘Is everything okay?’
