The Missing Girl by Kerry McGinnis

Author:Kerry McGinnis [McGinnis, Kerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781409080244
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2021-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

We remaining three stood waiting for the diver to re-emerge but, before he did so, Sergeant Grimstead came across to tell us what we already knew.

‘We have human bones,’ he said. ‘Whose, it remains to be ascertained.’

‘It has to be Iris,’ I said, and felt his hard gaze upon me.

‘Maybe so. However, the area has become a crime scene. It’ll be cordoned off. I must caution you about trespassing upon it. Or allowing anyone else to do so. There’ll be a man left here overnight. He’ll take statements from you all.’

‘He had better start with Betty then,’ I suggested, ‘before she goes home, which she usually does about now.’

‘Very well.’ He turned back to his companions.

Feeling slightly sick, I said, ‘Let’s go in. If they want us they can come and find us.’

They duly did, first corralling Jake, who was packing up for the day. We gave our statements and signed them, then Betty and Jake left.

‘Should we ring Cabot?’ I wondered. ‘Or do you think the police will already have done so?’

Phillip lifted his good shoulder in a shrug. ‘He won’t be in the office now. It’s too late.’

‘No, but he’ll be in the book.’ I let my fingers do the walking and came up with a home address, saying as I dialled, ‘It would be better if he broke the news to Grandmother. Preferably before the sergeant gets to her.’

‘You’re right. If she truly believes the story she told you, it’ll be one helluva shock to the old girl.’ He hesitated. ‘Do you think we should go in ourselves?’

‘I do not. She sacked me, remember? I’m the last person she’ll want to see. Particularly as I’m now proved to be right.’

‘Well,’ he said, ‘on the bright side, Jake’s still employed.’ The wind had picked up and the back door, which had come unlatched, was creaking to and fro. He secured it and I held up my hand as the ringing tone stopped and Mr Cabot’s clipped voice spoke in my ear. ‘Hello. Lyle Cabot speaking.’

When I’d replaced the receiver, Phillip said, ‘I take it you’re not ringing the old girl tonight?’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘How ’bout a stroll before dinner then? It’s cooler out and there’s a full moon. We can surreptitiously check on what the copper’s doing. I wish I could use the camera. With the light as it is, I could get some great silhouette shots.’

‘Never mind. There’ll be other nights, other moons.’ I sniffed the wind as I stepped outside. ‘That’s not smoke, is it?’ It was just the briefest whiff. I sniffed again, but the elusive scent had vanished. I slipped my hand through the crook of his good arm. ‘I must’ve imagined it. Oh, smell that – it must be the lemon tree! I noticed that new blossoms were coming even though it’s still bearing. Let’s go down through the gates and I’ll show you my favourite old tree. The one I used to climb. I’d pretend it was the Magic Faraway Tree, you

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