Pete carried his sister’s bags to the car. Portishead was a lovely little town; it was a pity she couldn’t stay for longer – it was unlikely the police would connect ‘Serena’ to the kidnapping and as she said, having an affair wasn’t illegal.

‘Joanne, forget those bloody shoes, just pack the expensive stuff; your jewellery and the like.’

‘These shoes are expensive stuff. You have your fancy cars and I have my shoes and handbags, so don’t start grumbling!’

‘Okay, but you can buy plenty more shoes when we get there. We’ll reinvent ourselves in London – it’ll be fun. But we need to get going. The cops know where you live.’

‘Yes, but they won’t connect me to your mess. Even if they’ve got that dozy Neil, he knows nothing about me.’

Pete rolled his eyes. ‘I’ll still feel much happier when we’re out of here.’

48

DAY 6

Dave Bennet wasn’t at all surprised by what Angela told him. She was a bitter woman who’d gone through the most challenging time imaginable, only to be disappointed again when she thought it was all over. However, Angela’s information necessitated a visit to her husband, Stuart Parks.

As it was still only midday, Dave headed towards the private hospital where Dr Parks worked. Visiting someone at their place of work wasn’t ideal, but if Dave’s hunch was correct, the information he needed couldn’t wait.

The hospital car park was full, even though it was Saturday, illness seemed not to respect weekends, and Dave ended up taking a spot reserved for a doctor. He locked the car and headed to the main reception desk where he joined a small queue and waited until the receptionist was free. Asking where Stuart Parks could be found, he was directed to the ENT unit where the doctor was holding a clinic. After what seemed like miles of sterile corridors, Dave eventually found where he needed to be.

Parks was busy with a patient and two more were waiting outside his room. Dave showed his ID to the nurse, who was initially reluctant to disturb the doctor. Gleaning the information Dave needed from him shouldn’t take long and he reassured the nurse he would use as little of the doctor’s time as possible.

After five minutes, an elderly lady exited Parks’ room, and the nurse nodded to Dave to go in. The doctor was surprised to find the detective standing there and although it was several months since he’d seen him, Parks correctly assumed it was to do with his daughter’s kidnapping and asked the obvious question.

‘Have you found the culprits?’