The constable’s face was ashen. ‘I contacted the station. I spoke to DS Lewis. He said he’d give you a ring. Hasn’t he told you?’

Kesey checked her phone, which needed charging. ‘Told me what, exactly?’

‘Megan’s not here. She’s not in the house.’

‘Then, where the hell is she? You’re supposed to be keeping a close eye on the woman. That’s the whole point of you being here. Didn’t Ray make that clear?’

Rees shifted her weight from one foot to the other. ‘I’m sorry, ma’am. She slipped out when I was in the bathroom. I was only in there for five minutes at most. What was I supposed to do? I can’t watch her every second of the day. And I tried to let you know as soon as I realised she’d gone. What more could I do?’

Kesey linked her hands behind her back. ‘Has she done anything like this before?’

‘No, we’ve been getting on great, everything considered. She seemed a little on edge after the phone call. But I didn’t think anything of it. She’s got a lot to worry about. The last thing I thought she’d do is leave the house without me.’

There was a hard edge to Kesey’s voice when she responded. ‘What phone call?’

‘Martin Heath rang at about eight o’clock this morning. I answered, and he asked to speak to Megan.’

Kesey frowned hard. ‘Any idea what about?’

‘No, I did ask, just making conversation, really. But Megan wasn’t in the mood to talk. She’s like that sometimes. They seem to have become close friends. I didn’t read anything into it.’

‘How long’s she been out?’

Rees checked her watch. ‘I’d say about half an hour, no longer than that.’

‘Have you tried her mobile?’

‘Yeah, a few times, but it’s off.’

‘What’s the hell’s she playing at?’

Rees looked away. ‘I can’t claim to know the answer to that one, ma’am. But she’s not a prisoner. I can’t force her to stay here. If she wants to walk out of the house, she can.’

‘Yes, I’m well aware of that, thank you, Bethan.’

The constable’s face flushed. ‘Do you want me to call at Heath’s place? They’ve been spending a fair amount of time in each other’s company. It would only take me a couple of minutes. She could be there. It’s only down the road.’

‘Just to confirm, you’re saying she hasn’t sneaked out before?’

‘No, never, she’s usually stuck to me like glue.’

For the first time, Kesey asked herself if Lewis could have been right all along. Was Heath a suspect? Maybe, but probably not, it still seemed unlikely at best. ‘No, you’re all right, thanks, Bethan. I’ll call on Heath myself. There are a few things I want to ask him. You stay here in case Megan comes back. We’re probably jumping to conclusions. There’s any number of places she could have gone. Maybe she didn’t go to Heath’s place at all.’

46

Megan was naked, spluttering, bound, but not gagged, when she woke to see Heath standing next to the cage wearing old ladies’ clothes. He was looking down at Lottie with a carving knife in his hand, having just thrown a jug of cold water in Megan’s face.