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ALSO BY GILLIAN JACKSON

The Pharmacist

The Victim

The Deception

Abduction

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Nataliia Tanchak whose positivity and sense of humour in adversity is inspirational

1

FEBRUARY 3RD 1988

A late-night phone call to her colleague sent a thrill of excitement shooting through Helen. After three weeks on the job and barely any time out of the office, newbie social worker Helen Hanna relished being on call under the supervision of Valerie Chapman. Secretly Helen longed for excitement, something to get her out of her allocated dusty cramped cubicle and away from the endless boring paperwork. It seemed her prayers were finally answered. The call, which was to initiate her to the seedier side of life, was from a concerned neighbour.

‘A possible child left at home alone,’ Valerie explained, grabbing her coat and heading for the door, a deep frown on her face. ‘The police will meet us at the scene.’

Helen scurried after her and shivered as the biting wind gusted around them.

By 11.30pm the two women arrived at the address they’d been given to be greeted by an irate neighbour who threw out accusations like confetti. The council housing estate was one Valerie was all too familiar with. Many of her clients lived there.

The house in question was in complete darkness but the neighbour insisted children were inside. ‘That cow doesn’t deserve to ’ave kids. She leaves ’em to fend for themselves while she’s off with ’er latest fella!’

Valerie was already peering through the letterbox, calling out to anyone who might be inside. For a few moments there was silence, broken only by the insistent neighbour instructing them as to what they should be doing. Her raucous voice and colourful language did nothing to ease the situation, and if children were inside, they’d probably be more afraid of this woman than of being alone. Then, finally, a faint noise, a sob from within confirmed the presence of at least one child. Valerie spoke softly through the letterbox, while flapping her arm behind her to keep the neighbour away.

‘Hello, sweetheart, my name’s Valerie. Are you okay in there?’ Silence, then another muffled sob. ‘Can you come to the door and tell me your name?’

The police arrived during this rather one-sided conversation. Valerie stood and turned towards the two men who exited the car. ‘I’m pretty certain there’s a child inside, and most probably alone.’ The officers made an immediate decision to forcibly enter the property.