The Dryslwyn Castle Killings by John Nicholl

Author:John Nicholl [Nicholl, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

23

Grav entered his lounge with Kesey in close attendance, surprised and concerned not to find Mia ready and waiting as she’d promised. He poked his head through the kitchen door without success and then hurried back towards the hall where he called out in a hoarse smoker’s rattle, ‘Mia, it’s Grav, I’ve got DI Kesey with me, where are you, love?’

Mia didn’t reply, temporarily lost for words and doubting everything and everyone.

Grav turned towards Kesey, meeting her eyes. ‘Her car’s still outside, she’s got to be here somewhere.’

Kesey nodded. ‘Maybe in the garden?’

He called out again, louder this time, making himself heard. ‘Hello, Mia, it’s Grav, love. Where the hell are you?’

Mia looked at Isabella as she sat upright in the bath, but she still didn’t reply.

‘Are we still hiding, Mummy? Is the policeman going to find us?’

Mia rose to her feet, suddenly stronger. ‘Yes, that’s right. Do you think it’s him calling to us?’

Isabella nodded enthusiastically, glad the game was over.

‘Are you sure? Did you recognise his voice?’

Isabella nodded again, more assuredly this time, then smiled before climbing out of the bath and onto the linoleum-covered floor.

Mia unlocked the door, pulling the bolt back tentatively, as Grav began climbing the stairs, each step creaking under his weight.

She opened the door an inch or two and peered out, her relief almost tangible when she saw his familiar face. ‘Oh, thank goodness you’re here. I’d almost given up on you. I thought it might be him.’

Grav smiled, keen to put her at her ease. ‘You’re safe now, love. Come on down and talk to DI Kesey. I’ll put the kettle on. A nice cup of tea will do us all some good.’

Mia began descending the staircase with Isabella close behind, as Kesey joined Grav in the hallway. She reached out and shook Mia’s hand with a surprisingly firm grip. ‘It’s good to meet you, Mia. The boss has put me in the picture. And this must be Isabella. What a pretty girl you are.’

The little girl looked up and relaxed, taking her mother’s lead, as Mia took reassurance from the officers’ presence. ‘He’s been on the phone!’

Grav headed towards the kitchen, allowing Kesey to take the lead. ‘What, here?’

‘On my new mobile, it’s a pay-as-you-go. I can’t understand how he got the number.’

‘Who’ve you given it to?’

‘Just Grav, nobody else at all.’

‘What, not even your sister?’

‘No!’

‘You’re certain?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

Kesey looked far from convinced. ‘Where’s the mobile now?’

‘I dropped it on the floor in the sitting room.’

Kesey led the way. ‘Let’s all take a seat, and we’ll progress matters from there, one step at a time.’ She spotted the purple mobile on the floor, half-hidden by an old oak table leg, and bent down easily to pick it up. ‘Do you mind if I keep this? We can get you another to replace it easily enough.’

Mia sat herself down on a worn but comfortable armchair with Isabella perched on her knees, the girl still thinking that the game of hide and seek wasn’t nearly as much fun as she’d expected.

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