“Coming, dear,” Maria said, before the call ended abruptly. There was a sweet, happy note to her response that almost made Elea cry. She took steady breaths in an effort to calm down. If Swann rang her now, he’d know something was up, but her emotions were like a runaway train. Anu was home. One of the Ice Angels was alive. Elea clasped her hand to her mouth as she tried to contain a sudden, gasping sob. After all these years. Dare she believe it was real? Her passport. Her movements were mechanical as she tried to formulate a plan. Anu hadn’t actually divulged Liisa’s whereabouts, but still...Maria had good intuition. Elea trusted her friend’s judgement. But how could she leave Lincoln, when her leads were here?
She wrestled with her thoughts. What about the case? Should she go or should she stay? But her mind was already in Porvoo. She could be back in England tomorrow. She had to speak to Anu. She searched her bedroom for a holdall. She didn’t need much. Toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries. With trembling hands she picked up what she needed. She quickly pulled the quilt over the bed, plumping both pillows. She would need to wash the glasses and hide any sign of Mitch. She wouldn’t put it past Swann to call in to check up on her. She stopped, her head too busy to form coherent thoughts. What next? She’d need a change of clothes. Socks, underwear, pyjamas. But then again, she had spares at home. She paused. Took three long breaths. That was better. All she needed was her passport, then to book a train to the airport and catch a flight. But she wasn’t telling Swann. She’d made a promise to Maria. She would arrive alone.
Chapter 50
The atmosphere had changed in the station since finding Chelsea’s body. There was no more banter, or the usual black humour that helped keep their spirits afloat. Officers moved quietly around the station, delivering a solemn nod of acknowledgement as they passed each other in the hall. Swann felt their muted sorrow, intermingled with a sense of urgency to bring the killer in. There was guilt, too. Guilt for not protecting Chelsea, a vulnerable young girl who dreamed of playing for England one day.
Swann straightened his tie before entering the press briefing room, which was just down the corridor of police HQ. Being the main police hub in Lincoln, the secure building was ideal for such gatherings. As the senior investigator, this was part of Swann’s job role. Delivering a press conference live on TV set his nerves on edge, but at least he was on his home turf. Superintendent Jess Collins was already there, along with the police-and-crime commissioner, sitting at either end of the table, which was laid out with microphones and glasses of water. A navy-blue tablecloth brought a sense of ceremony and the Lincolnshire Police emblem, along with its motto “Policing with Pride,” was positioned at the back. Swann glanced across the room, breathing in the lukewarm air. The heat had been pumped out by radiators overnight as a cold snap hit.
It was a good turnout, with rows of reporters and three TV cameras at the back of the room. “Before we begin...” The chatter came to a halt as he spoke. “This is a fast-changing situation. I’ll take questions at the end, but please speak with sensitivity, keeping the families of the victims in mind.”
He sipped from his glass of water. Waited for the seconds to count down as he prepared to begin. Sensitivity went out of the window for those keen to get the best possible story. Chelsea’s initial disappearance had been overshadowed by events in the news, but now word of the girl found in the freezer had captured their interest. The discovery of a body was making headline news. Swann hated the inevitable leaks that came from working with so many people. He knew of journalists who dated police officers specifically to further their career. Checking that everyone was ready, he took a deep breath, leaning slightly into the microphone. The red tally light atop the TV cameras illuminated, signalling they were recording live.
“As you know, twelve-year-old Chelsea Hobbs disappeared on her way home from school in January 2023.” Swann glanced around the room, the click and whirr of cameras punctuating his words. “We can now confirm that a body has been discovered in a freezer in the basement of a property here in Lincoln, which has been identified as that of Chelsea Hobbs. While I can’t go into specific details right now, I can confirm that we are treating her death as suspicious and as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.” He paused, watching the journalists hurriedly tapping into their laptops and making notes. “We also believe that Chelsea’s case may be connected to the death of twelve-year-old Jenny Flynn, whose body was discovered on West Common in 2021; and to the abduction of Sophie Miller, who recently escaped after being reported missing in January of this year. The investigation into these cases is ongoing and we are actively pursuing new leads. For operational reasons, I cannot go into detail about these at this time. But I would like to reassure the public that our team is working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”
Swann gesticulated with his hands to bring his point home.
“Lincolnshire Police is committed to ensuring the safety of our community. We would like to extend our sympathies to the families of the victims involved, and we ask for your patience and cooperation as we continue this complex investigation.” He sat back in his chair, waiting for the inevitable barrage of questions that would follow. He only hoped the announcement wouldn’t send their suspects underground.
Several hands shot up, with a local journalist getting his question in first.
“David Fitzpatrick,Lincoln Tribune.” A bearded man in a crumpled suit introduced himself as he half sat, half stood. “Is it true that this investigation is linked to the Ice Angels case in Finland?”
A ripple of murmurs spread throughout the room.
Swann stalled, very aware that he was on national TV.He kept his expression neutral, choosing his words carefully.“At this stage we are following multiple active lines of enquiry, and the investigation is making significant progress.”
“But...” Fitzpatrick followed up, “Elea Baker, the mother of one of the missing Finnish children, is consulting on this case, isn’t she?”
Swann glanced around the room, aware that speculation would run wild, regardless of what he said. Leaks were sometimes inevitable in such high-profile cases, and he chose each word with care.“As soon as we’re in a position to update you on any developments, we will do so. But at this time, I cannot comment further on operational matters.” He turned to another journalist before Fitzpatrick could push for more.“Next question.”
Swann checked hisemails as he sat in his office for the first time that day. He hadn’t stopped since the press briefing, which was now being aired worldwide. There were no follow-up questions with regards to Elea’s involvement, but Fitzpatrick had earned himself a black mark in Swann’s copybook. Speculation on Elea’s involvement was already gaining traction online. But there was something more pressing on his mind: keeping up his end of the bargain. He’d promised the public a quick conclusion to the case. His team was closing in, but where was Elea?
It wasn’t like her to be so late, not with so much going on. Was she upset by the press appeal? But Elea wasn’t shy when it came to the press. There had to be more to her absence than that. He couldn’t stop caring, no matter how hard he tried. He frowned to himself as he recalled how they had parted in the early hours. How at ease he had been in her company. How he hadn’t wanted the night to end. He hadn’t made a pass. He wasn’t some letch; he was her husband. It wasn’t about sex; it was just about being in Elea’s orbit. He thought their marriage still meant something, but now she was willing to give him a divorce. He’d been a fool. He was far too late. Regret rested heavily on his shoulders.
She’d stood at the office door, and he’d lingered in her presence, inhaling the sweetness of her perfume. She’d heard him on the phone, telling Alice he would be home late. But Swann wouldn’t betray the mother of his children, and as long as he was with Alice, Elea would not get involved. Family meant everything to them both. Finding her daughter—dead or alive—was the most important thing he could do for her right now. But where the hell was Elea? The briefing was starting soon, and she wasn’t answering her phone. He glanced up at Mitch as he poked his head into the office. Technically it washisoffice; Swann simply hadn’t been able to bring himself to move out yet.
“We’re heading out for briefing, boss.” Mitch was wearing his usual smile. Swann had never met anyone so amicable. He didn’t know a single person who disliked the bloke.
“Have you seen Elea?” Swann looked beyond him, out at the team. At Ness, who was handing out cups of tea and coffee. At Sergeant Davies, who was frowning from behind his computer screen. At Ollie and Kelly, who were deep in conversation with Jamal Jones, who seemed to be making notes. Everyone was there except Elea. Something felt off. He looked back at Mitch, who had yet to answer his question. He seemed twitchy today. “Mitch?”
The DI blinked twice in quick succession. “Sorry, what was that?”
“Elea. Is she in yet?”
“Um...” Mitch followed his gaze into the main office. “I don’t think so.”
“You’ve not seen her?”
“I’ve not seen her this morning, no.” He checked his watch. “Is that the time? We’d better get a move on. Lots to work through. I’ll let you know when she comes in.”
Then he was gone, out into the office, taking a mug from Ness’s tray. Elea wouldn’t be happy if she found Ness making tea yet again. Swann rang Elea’s number once more, this time leaving a message. “Where are you? Everything all right? We’re about to start the briefing. Just,” he exhaled, “give me a ring.”
He thought about the last time he saw Elea. She’d been putting on her usual brave front. But he could see past the mask. Seeing Chelsea’s body in the freezer had hit her hard. Then having to break the news to Chelsea’s mother. He knew that was a bad idea, but would Elea listen? Once she made up her mind, there was no changing it. What if it had all been too much? What if she’d given up hope and decided to end it all? What if she couldn’t face finding Liisa like that? Swann’s frown deepened. Surely not. The outer office began to clear as each member of his team left for the main briefing room.
Elea’s text came promptly.I’m fine. Slept in. See you later.
Exhaling a relieved breath, Swann secreted his phone in his suit pocket and joined his team.
