Due Process Read Free Page A

Thank goodness she still had her credit cards.  Finally the police were starting to investigate, but precious time had been lost. 
    The niggling doubts had started, but Amanda kept pushing them away.  This was nothing to do with what had happened in the past.  The police seemed to think it was related to Tony’s work in some way. Maybe a client with a grudge. Or perhaps Tony unwittingly knew something he shouldn’t.  After all, he didn’t have the best crop of society for his clients.
    But one thing at a time.  She took a deep breath and dialled the number of Morgan and Pacey. 
    “This is Amanda Purcell.  Could I speak to my husband’s secretary please?  Sarah Greenwood.”
    There was a pause and a few clicks, and Isaac Morgan was on the line.
    “Amanda? This must be a dreadful time for you.  Any news?” his voice sounded full of concern.
    “Hello Isaac.  I was hoping to speak to Sarah. And no, there is no news.”
    “A terrible business.  At least the police are investigating now.  They should put something in the papers.  After all, the park must have been crowded.  Surely someone saw something?”
    Amanda found herself gripping the phone so hard that the corner dug into her palm.  She tried to relax.
    “I think they are looking into all angles. Isaac, I thought Sarah might have some ideas.  Was there anything going on at work – you know, with one of his clients?  Perhaps if I could talk to her...”
    “I’m so sorry, Amanda, I thought you knew. Sarah left a few days ago. About the same time as Tony disappeared, now I think about it.”
    Amanda felt her breathing increase, could hear the blood racing round her body as it hammered in her ears, her temperature rising.
    “No, I didn’t know.  That was rather sudden.  Did the police talk to her?”
    “Well, not while she was here I don’t think.  As I understand it she has gone away.  Left us in a pickle, I have to say, and it’s a real bind trying to find a replacement.”
    Amanda put down the phone and another little niggling doubt entered her mind.
      *   *   *
     
     
    Tony was laughing, his dark hair swept back from his face as the sea wind grazed his skin.  The boat was racing across the water and the sail filled with the breath of the ocean.  Beads of salt water clung to his forehead and ran down into his eyes.  Eyes which were deep blue and dancing with joy. Eyes that said ‘I love you’.
                  Jenny was laughing too, her little body engulfed with the bright yellow lifejacket, a rope holding her firmly to the mast. It must be a Sunday, because Tony was not at work.  He was here with them and they were being a family and doing things that a family do together.
                  Suddenly the waves were crashing over the side of the boat. Tony tried to haul in the sail, and Amanda stumbled over to untie the rope that held Jenny safe.  The rope was wet and tight.  Her fingers were cold and numb and she couldn’t loosen the rope.  Jenny began to cry.
                  “It’ll be alright,” whispered Amanda. “The sail is down, we’ll soon be ashore.”
                  Then Jenny screamed.  When Amanda turned, Tony was gone.
     
    Amanda awoke in tears, her body covered in perspiration.  She whispered his name. Tony. Tony.   She sat up in bed and reached out to the cold pillow beside her. Where are you? Every night when she went to bed, and every morning when she woke, her mind went over the weeks and days before that fateful day at the park.  There was nothing that gave her a reason to think all was not well.  He had said nothing, had slept well, had been loving and considerate to her and to Jenny.  He had worked late, sometimes at the office and sometimes at home, but that was not unusual.  His clients demanded his attention 24/7 and he was there for them. That was what made him a good lawyer.
                  But things did not add up.  There