There were no more messages, but there were three calls between Lena and the unknown number. And a voicemail.
Sorrell’s hands shook as she pressed play.I’ll meet you at the caves where the kids presents were on Saturday. At four. Don’t tell anyone and the only thing you need to bring are your excuses. Then I’ll leave you the fuck alone if you give me what I want.
Chapter 32
The fourth day of Christmas
Zak checked his phone for the fifth time since he’d sat down with his brothers. He’d not heard from Sorrell since lunch time when she’d mentioned going for a walk. He turned his phone face down, aware that Scott was dying to say something about his constant checking.
“Sorry,” he said, not saying what for.
Alex looked puzzled. “Zack, what’s up?”
He shook his head. “It’s fine.”
“It clearly isn’t,” Scott said. “I’m guessing women problems but I’m surprised. She’s really into you. God knows why, apart from the obvious Maynard genes.”
“It’s the large penises.” Jake sat down with a tray of beers. “Once they’ve had Maynard, they fall hard.”
“That’s shit, Jake,” Alex said, picking up a pint. “Sorrell phoned the station before.”
Zack sat up. “And you’re telling me this now? What the fuck for? What was the matter?”
“Something about Lena Rowley being missing. Kenny mentioned it to me when I called in on the way here, given that ‘she’s practically my sister-in-law’—that was Kenny’s take, by the way. Nothing they can do at the moment. She’s not been gone long enough and she’s probably just with friends anyway,” Alex said. “That tastes good. Cheers—here’s to having four days with no shifts.” He held up his glass for the other three to tap.
Zack joined in, his brain reeling as opposed to looking forward to the first sip of nectar.
“Al,” he said. “Has Sorrell phoned you?”
Alex’s head snapped round. “Why would she phone me?”
“Because you’re a copper. If she didn’t get any joy from the station, I bet she called you for advice,” Zack said. “Just check your phone. Please.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed. “You’re really bothered here, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. She’s never ghosted me before. We’ve texted about shit for the last couple of months and when I left hers this morning we were on good terms. Really good terms,” he said, unable to resist.
“It’s those Maynard genes,” Jake said. Zack knew he was trying to lighten the tone. “The length. The girth…”
“I have a missed call from her,” Alex said, interrupting. “I’m sorry, Zack. I put my phone on mute when I finished work, just in case someone called in sick and they tried to pull me in. Let me listen.” He held his phone to his ear tightly, his pint untouched.
Zack waited, trying to look patient and not rip the phone from Alex’s hand so he could listen himself.
“Okay,” Alex said, putting his phone away. “She’s worried about where Lena is. Apparently some weirdo has been trying to get her to return to the church and she’s agreed to meet up with him—Lena, not Sorrell. Lena’s aunt and parents haven’t seen her for a couple of days, nor has Cam. She was asking me what else she could do. Zack, have you tried phoning her?”
He shook his head. “I’ve sent three texts, but she hasn’t answered. I didn’t want to keep pestering her.”
“Phone her now please. See what she’s up to.” It was Alex’s authoritative tone, the one he’d only heard his little brother use when he was at work and it still surprised him, although he didn’t know why. Alex had always been organised, responsible. He was sure it was something to do with having Jake and Rayah as cousins.
Zack dialled her number from his favourites list and heard her voice telling him to leave a message. “Straight to voicemail. I’m going over to the hotel,” he said, standing up.
“Damn right,” Scott said, standing too. “I’ll come with you.”
“I’m going to speak to Gran,” Alex said. “If Sorrell’s been asking questions about Lena or if anyone’s seen Lena, she’ll have gone to Gran. We’ll see the aunt too, and I’ll put a call out for someone on duty to check with Lena’s parents. That bloody cult.”
“They’ve been here forever,” Scott said. “They’re going nowhere.”
Alex gave a sharp nod. “I know. And they’re okay—it’s the complete maniacs they seem to attract that give us the issues. Okay. Keep your phones on loud and Zack, keep trying Sorrell. Chances are she’s at Rayah’s or Keren’s with a large glass of wine.”
