Page 128 of Child's Play

‘Ellie Lewis, the tutor.’

‘Probably already left,’ he said, logically. ‘Not sure why she’d be interested in the quiz.’

‘Hmm…’ she said, heading back to reception. She jumped ahead in front of a few families waiting to check out. Somehow she felt the woman wouldn’t leave before seeing if any of her potential students had made the quiz. But her colleague might be right. It had been known to happen.

Bryant followed, making her apologies.

‘Excuse me,’ she said, showing her badge. ‘Has Eleanor Lewis checked out yet?’

The woman hesitated, as though toying with telling her to join the queue. She thrust her badge forward. Where was Raymond when you needed him?

‘Please,’ Bryant added. ‘It may be important.’

She relented, tapped a few keys and shook her head.

‘Not yet.’

‘Ring her room,’ she instructed

She did so and listened as the phone rang out.

She shook her head.

‘Can I get her contact number?’ Kim asked taking out her phone.

The receptionist shook her head. ‘I’m sorry but I can’t—’

‘Bryant, ask her nicely,’ she said, turning to her colleague.

The family behind huffed. She turned and offered them a withering glance. They turned away.

‘Lisa,’ he said, reading her name badge. ‘We believe Ms Lewis may be in danger. If we can just call her to…’

‘Here,’ said the receptionist, handing him a pink Post-it note.

Kim shook her head as she took out her phone.

‘You could thank me,’ Bryant moaned.

‘I’d rather thank your mum and dad for giving you manners,’ she said, keying in the number.

‘Fair point,’ he admitted.

The call went straight to voicemail.

‘Damn,’ she said, trying again.

Same response.

She dialled another number.

‘Stace, take this number down.’

Stacey listened as she read it out. ‘Belongs to Ellie Lewis, the private tutor. Keep trying it. We can’t find her.’

‘Hang on, didn’t you say she was late thirties?’

‘She’s thirty-eight.’