Maybe that wasn’t the best idea when talking to the Divisional head of state?
He cleared his throat. ‘Sorry, Boss. Been a long day.’
She left a little pause – probably to make sure he knew his place.‘And we’re sure it’s an abduction, not a kidnap?’
‘No sign of a ransom demand yet. Her ex-husband’s seriously loaded, so it’spossiblethe kidnappers are waiting for the right moment, but...?’
‘Urgh...’A thumping noise, banged down the line.‘Why did she have to be a bloodypress baron? The media love talking about themselves, can you imagine what they’ll be like when they find out?’
‘Ah. About that.’ Logan wandered along the landing, peering in through the open doors. Forensic techs haunted Ms Agapova’s home office and main bedroom like crinkly ghosts. Going through her things. ‘Someone needs to tell the ex-husband. But he only owns three local radio stations; a podcast company; theScottish Daily Post, theYorkshire Clarion,Midlands Gazette and Bulletin, andLondon Daily Citizen; so we’re probably OK.’
One of the spare bedrooms had nothing but unassembled flatpack furniture in it. The next was full of packing boxes.
Another thump from Pine’s end. Maybe she was banging her head off the desk?‘In the name of...fuck.’ A strangled sigh. ‘Suppose I don’t need to tell you this is a top priority.’
‘Along with everything else.’
‘Exactly.’Thump.‘Suppose I better go wake the Chief Constable. She’s going toloveme.’
The third bedroom was a little girl’s: full of stuffed animals, rainbows, and unicorns. Not dinosaurs, ninjas, and pirates, like Elizabeth’s.
‘Anything happens: I’m in the loop, understand?’
‘Boss.’
She hung up.
Logan puffed out his cheeks. Sagged.
Wait a minute.
There was something...funky in here. Stinky. The sharp-yellow stench of sunbaked urine.
Weird.
The kid – Brooklyn, going by the nameplate on the door – was meant to be abroad at finishing school. And the bed was made. You wouldn’t make a bed if someone hadpiddledin it. And surely, if Brooklyn was old enough for finishing school, she was too old for that kind of thing.
He tiptoed across to the window, eyes fixed on the oatmeal carpet. Nothing.
Maybe...
Hang on. The door lay wide open, but there was something hidden behind it. On the floor, by the wall. And the closer he got, the stronger the smell.
Right.
He marched along the corridor to the main bedroom and stuck his head over the threshold. ‘Hello?’
The Scenes tech was on her hands and knees, rummaging about under Natasha’s bed. She stopped what she was doing and glowered back at him. ‘If you’re going to make inappropriate comments about my bum again:don’t.’
‘What?’
Whoever it was, sat back on their haunches. ‘Oh, it’syou, Guv. Nothing. Sorry.’
‘OK...’ Because that didn’t sound suspicious at all. Hehooked a thumb back across the corridor. ‘There’s what looks like a urine stain in the kid’s bedroom. Can we run some sort of test on it?’
‘It’s your budget. I can test whatever you want, long as someone’s paying for it.’
‘Thanks.’
