Lost Girls Read Free Page A

silver Range Rover was an unmarked Vauxhall Cavalier. A brief assessment confirmed the house was not overlooked from any direction. As she went, she made mental notes to pass on to whomever Woody nominated as Officer in Charge.
    The front door was opened by a constable Kim recognised from a previous case. She stepped into a reception hall boasting a Minton tiled floor. The centre of the space was dominated by a round oak table supporting the tallest vase of flowers she had ever seen. A reception room lay on either side of the hallway.
    â€˜Where is she?’ Kim asked the officer.
    â€˜Kitchen, Marm. The mother of the other child is here as well.’
    Kim nodded and headed past the sweeping staircase. A woman met her halfway. The recognition took some time to register on Kim's behalf but was instantaneous on the face of the woman before her.
    Karen Timmins bore little resemblance to Karen Holt.
    The slashed jeans that had once melded to every available curve had been replaced by a stylish pair of slim-leg trousers. The low, tight tops that had barely contained her breasts had been replaced with a V-neck jumper that whispered at the body beneath instead of screaming it out loud.
    The dyed blonde hair had been allowed to return to its natural chestnut and was cut stylishly around a face that was attractive but not striking.
    There had been surgery. Not a lot but enough to significantly change her face. Kim guessed at a nose job. Karen had always hated her nose and there'd been a lot there to hate.
    â€˜Kim, thank God. Thank you for coming. Thank you.’
    Kim allowed her hand to be clutched for a whole three seconds before she took it back.
    A second woman appeared beside Karen. The terror in her eyes gave way to hope.
    Karen stepped aside. ‘Kim, this is Elizabeth, Amy's mum.’
    Kim nodded to the woman whose eyes were blackened with smudged mascara. Her hair was a sleek bobbed helmet of auburn. She carried a few more pounds than Karen and was dressed in cream chinos and a cerise jumper.
    â€˜And you are Charlie’s mum?’ Kim asked.
    Karen nodded eagerly.
    â€˜Have you found them?’ Elizabeth asked, breathlessly.
    Kim shook her head as she ushered them back into the kitchen.
    â€˜I'm here to collect the initial details for the …’
    â€˜You're not going to help us find …’
    â€˜No, Karen, a team is currently being assembled. I'm only here to take the initial details.’
    Karen opened her mouth to argue but Kim held up her hand and offered a reassuring smile.
    â€˜I can promise you that the very best officers will be assigned to work with you with far more experience in this kind of case. The sooner you give me some details, the quicker I can pass them along and get your children back home safely.’
    Elizabeth nodded her understanding but Karen narrowed her eyes. Oh yes, that was a look she recognised.
    And just as she had when they were teenagers, Kim ignored it.
    â€˜You were sent messages?’ she asked.
    They both thrust their phones towards her. She took Karen's first and read the cold, black words.
    There is no need to rush. Charlotte will not be home today. This is not a hoax. I have your daughter.
    Kim handed the phone back to Karen and took Elizabeth's.
    Amy will not be home today. This is not a hoax. I have your daughter.
    â€˜Okay, tell me exactly what happened,’ she said, handing it back.
    The two women sat at the breakfast bar. Karen took a sip of coffee then spoke. ‘I dropped them off at the leisure centre this morning—’
    â€˜What time?’
    â€˜Ten fifteen. The class starts at ten thirty and ends at twelve fifteen. I'm always there to collect them at half past.’
    Kim could hear the emotion in her voice as she fought back the tears. Elizabeth covered Karen's free hand and urged her to continue.
    Karen swallowed. ‘Right on time, I left the house to pick them up. They always wait in the reception area until I