She had just finished cleaning the bath, and was now eyeing the dishes piled up in the sink.
‘Yes,’ Jennifer said, taking the coffee from his outstretched hand.
‘Olivia’s keeping a secret, and she’s too scared to tell you what it is. It might not be related to her sister, but it seems too much of a coincidence that all this is happening around the time of Abigail’s disappearance. I think she knows what’s happened to her sister, but it’s too horrific a prospect for her young mind to contemplate.’
He closed his eyes briefly as he took a sip from his mug, then placed it on the newly purchased coasters now gracing the coffee table.
‘The bulbs blowing, things being thrown, that’s all coming from Olivia. Her emotions are so pent up, she’s making things happen, whether she knows it or not. She needs a child psychiatrist, to help her work through her issues.’
‘I’ve tried. They won’t allow it.’
‘Who won’t?’ Will asked, cocking his head to one side.
‘Her mother. Nick is all for it, but Joanna’s flatly refused.’
‘That’s interesting,’ Will said. ‘I expected you to say her father. I thought Joanna was withdrawn.’
‘She is. That’s what makes it so strange. It’s the only thing she’s insistent on.’
‘Have you asked why?’
‘She’s not given a proper reason. If any child needs help, it’s Olivia. I hope we find Abigail soon, so they can get on with their lives,’ Jennifer said.
‘Do they think she’s still alive?’
‘They’re clinging on to hope. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? Because the alternative . . .’
Her words trailed away. Jennifer placed her cup beside Will’s, turning them until the handles faced the same way. Will rubbed her back, and she lay back into the crook of his arm. Will had known her long enough to notice her signals, and after some comforting murmurs he pointed the remote control at the television and selected an inoffensive movie; something to take their mind off work, at least until they got lost in each other again.
But Jennifer didn’t see the movie. Instead, she replayed snatches of her visit to Blackwater farm, the bits that had been bothering her long enough not to evaporate into the ether. Natives of Haven, both Nick and Joanna had moved away a couple of times, only to return. They used to live in London, while Nick commuted to work in Lexton every day. Moving to their townhouse in Haven had made sense for them both. She had a good job, was financially secure. But everything had changed dramatically in the last few months. They had sold up to live in a creepy derelict farm and Joanna had given up her job to work online, going from mixing with lots of people to being a recluse. Her friends were all virtual, and quick enough to desert her when the allegations came to light. Jennifer thought of the farmhouse, hollow and empty, crawling with a negative energy that would send most people packing. But there was something niggling at the back of her brain. When they came back after their trip to see aunt Laura, Joanna had been locked out. Why didn’t she have a key to her own house? The doors were old and battered, but the inner locks had all been filled in. The only door that had a key was the bathroom, and she had never seen Joanna use it. Jennifer remembered Joanna’s throwaway comment about not being allowed to bake, and the embarrassment that followed. There was something about the way Joanna spoke, that made her think she wasn’t allowed to cook either, or even to touch a knife. But she wasn’t imprisoned in the house. Joanna was able to go to the local TV studios after all. It was as if there was an unseen rule. It was one Jennifer would be keeping a very close eye on.
Chapter Nineteen
Two Days Gone
I t was a welcome relief to return to the CID office a couple of hours early to catch up with outstanding work. Two suspects for a previous case had failed to answer their bail, and Jennifer now had the pleasure of
‘Yes,’ Jennifer said, taking the coffee from his outstretched hand.
‘Olivia’s keeping a secret, and she’s too scared to tell you what it is. It might not be related to her sister, but it seems too much of a coincidence that all this is happening around the time of Abigail’s disappearance. I think she knows what’s happened to her sister, but it’s too horrific a prospect for her young mind to contemplate.’
He closed his eyes briefly as he took a sip from his mug, then placed it on the newly purchased coasters now gracing the coffee table.
‘The bulbs blowing, things being thrown, that’s all coming from Olivia. Her emotions are so pent up, she’s making things happen, whether she knows it or not. She needs a child psychiatrist, to help her work through her issues.’
‘I’ve tried. They won’t allow it.’
‘Who won’t?’ Will asked, cocking his head to one side.
‘Her mother. Nick is all for it, but Joanna’s flatly refused.’
‘That’s interesting,’ Will said. ‘I expected you to say her father. I thought Joanna was withdrawn.’
‘She is. That’s what makes it so strange. It’s the only thing she’s insistent on.’
‘Have you asked why?’
‘She’s not given a proper reason. If any child needs help, it’s Olivia. I hope we find Abigail soon, so they can get on with their lives,’ Jennifer said.
‘Do they think she’s still alive?’
‘They’re clinging on to hope. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? Because the alternative . . .’
Her words trailed away. Jennifer placed her cup beside Will’s, turning them until the handles faced the same way. Will rubbed her back, and she lay back into the crook of his arm. Will had known her long enough to notice her signals, and after some comforting murmurs he pointed the remote control at the television and selected an inoffensive movie; something to take their mind off work, at least until they got lost in each other again.
But Jennifer didn’t see the movie. Instead, she replayed snatches of her visit to Blackwater farm, the bits that had been bothering her long enough not to evaporate into the ether. Natives of Haven, both Nick and Joanna had moved away a couple of times, only to return. They used to live in London, while Nick commuted to work in Lexton every day. Moving to their townhouse in Haven had made sense for them both. She had a good job, was financially secure. But everything had changed dramatically in the last few months. They had sold up to live in a creepy derelict farm and Joanna had given up her job to work online, going from mixing with lots of people to being a recluse. Her friends were all virtual, and quick enough to desert her when the allegations came to light. Jennifer thought of the farmhouse, hollow and empty, crawling with a negative energy that would send most people packing. But there was something niggling at the back of her brain. When they came back after their trip to see aunt Laura, Joanna had been locked out. Why didn’t she have a key to her own house? The doors were old and battered, but the inner locks had all been filled in. The only door that had a key was the bathroom, and she had never seen Joanna use it. Jennifer remembered Joanna’s throwaway comment about not being allowed to bake, and the embarrassment that followed. There was something about the way Joanna spoke, that made her think she wasn’t allowed to cook either, or even to touch a knife. But she wasn’t imprisoned in the house. Joanna was able to go to the local TV studios after all. It was as if there was an unseen rule. It was one Jennifer would be keeping a very close eye on.
Chapter Nineteen
Two Days Gone
I t was a welcome relief to return to the CID office a couple of hours early to catch up with outstanding work. Two suspects for a previous case had failed to answer their bail, and Jennifer now had the pleasure of
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