Behind Closed Doors Read Free

What was he doing, rooting through her file?
    ‘One of your first jobs as a DC. Ten years ago. Scarlett Rainsford. That name ring a bell?’
    ‘Of course I remember. Cases like that one stay with you, don’t they?’
    ‘Good job they do. Special Branch did a warrant on a brothel in Briarstone this morning as part of Op Pentameter. Guess who they found working there?’
    She stared at him. He couldn’t mean Scarlett, surely? This must be some kind of cryptic question to which the answer would be one of the many witnesses they’d interviewed all those years ago – one of Scarlett’s classmates, perhaps, or her sister?
    She cleared her throat, deciding to be brave and suggest the impossible. ‘You mean – not Scarlett?’
    ‘The one and only. As you can imagine, when the news leaks all hell’s going to break loose. They’re working on a media strategy but I don’t need to tell you that this has to be kept quiet. I’d like you to get on to DCI Waterhouse at Special Branch. He’s expecting your call.’
    ‘Is she all right? What has she said?’
    ‘Not a lot, so far. But she seems okay. Living and breathing, which is more than anyone expected.’
    ‘Where is she now?’
    He smiled. ‘She’s in the Vulnerable Victim Suite for the time being.’
    ‘I thought they’d all been shut down.’
    ‘Technically. But they managed to reopen the Briarstone VVS just for Scarlett. Special treatment and all that. Special Branch don’t seem quite sure what to do with her – but if anyone’s going to be in on the debrief it should be you.’
    ‘Are they certain it’s her?’
    ‘Over the phone Clive Rainsford was muttering something about a DNA test, but it turns out she has a scar on her upper arm that’s pretty distinctive.’
    Ah, the scar. Lou had forgotten about the scar, despite looking for it on the shoulders of just about every girl of Scarlett’s approximate age for years after the abduction.
    ‘What about the family? Has anyone told them?’
    ‘You won’t believe it. The mum and dad, sister – remember her? – they’re all on holiday. In Spain, this time.’
     
Intel Reports on Ian Palmer  
5x5x5 Intelligence Report
Date:11 March 2013
Officer:PC 9921 EVANS
Subject:Thomas PALMER DOB 22/04/1990, Ian PALMER DOB 19/04/1993, Ryan COLEMAN DOB 12/01/1990, Darren CUNNINGHAM DOB 12/11/1976
Grading:B / 2 / 1
Stopcheck outside the Co-op on Turnswood Parade. Darren CUNNINGHAM sitting in the driver’s seat of a stationary BMW which is registered to his mother Sara CUNNINGHAM DOB 14/02/1952. CUNNINGHAM was issued with a driving ban last month but claimed Thomas PALMER has been driving him around. Despite a strong smell of cannabis around the vehicle no drugs were found. Vehicle taxed and insured. Suitable words of advice given. Also in the vehicle were Ian PALMER and Ryan COLEMAN. A few minutes after the stopcheck Thomas PALMER and CUNNINGHAM swapped places in the front seats and Thomas PALMER drove the vehicle away with all four inside.
     
5x5x5 Intelligence Report
Date:23 September 2013
Officer:PC 9921 EVANS
Subject:Ian PALMER DOB 19/04/1993, Ryan COLEMAN DOB 12/01/1990
Grading:B / 4 / 1
Ian PALMER is friends with Ryan COLEMAN. It is believed COLEMAN was at school with PALMER’s elder brother Thomas and they have been friends ever since.
(Research shows Thomas PALMER DOB 22/04/1990)
     
     
SCARLETT – Saturday 23 August 2003, 18:32
     
    The vehicle had stopped moving, the engine idling. Scarlett, alone again in the back of the van, could hear the sounds of other cars passing at high speed, and she guessed they had pulled into a layby, or a service station. One of the van’s doors opened and she waited, holding her breath, expecting the door to open at the side of the van. Footsteps. She could hear the chorus of cicadas outside, then a splashing as one of the men took a piss. A minute later he climbed back into the cab, and then the van moved off again, gaining speed.
    She should have shouted, or screamed.