Page 16

CHAPTER 16

MELANIE – D AY T WO

They let the questions run over – nearly fifteen minutes. Melanie is keen to get back to see Sally and Matthew; to thank Sally in particular for being so brave. But soon after they share the graphic with the dedicated phone number for the Amelie inquiry and the body in the canal mystery, one of her sergeants appears in the room.

Sam, an experienced detective in his forties who’s heading up the push to find the Meadows, walks up on to their small stage and whispers in her ear.

‘He’s phoned in.’

‘Who?’

‘Adam Meadows, Dawn’s husband, has just phoned in.’

Melanie tries to keep the shock from her face, aware that she’s being filmed. All efforts to find the Meadows have so far drawn a frustrating blank. The couple moved years back and failed to update their driving licences. No offences. No benefits and no pensions. Nothing on the system to help trace them.

‘OK. Well, again – can I thank you all for coming. And thank everyone for helping with this inquiry.’ Melanie is standing as she speaks. Lisa stands too, taking the cue. Sam leads the way to the door, Melanie and Lisa close behind.

‘Right, so what exactly did Adam Meadows say?’ asks Melanie in the corridor.

‘Simon took the call. He said that he’s been expecting contact from us and would rather get it over with.’

‘And Dawn?’

‘He says he and his wife split up a long time ago and he has nothing to hide. He doesn’t know where Dawn is these days but is certain she has nothing to do with Amelie’s disappearance.’

‘Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he?’ Melanie narrows her eyes.

‘Interesting that he phoned in, though.’

‘Maybe he was expecting us to put out their names at the press conference. Where is he living now?’

‘Rugby,’ Sam says. ‘Long drive.’

‘Right. We leave immediately and I’d like you to come with me.’

‘No problem.’

‘And we’ve got local police booked to search his home meantime?’

‘Yes. All in hand. The super’s handling the warrant application, so we can get straight on the road. Just in case he’s tricky about a full search.’

‘Good.’

‘As soon as that comes through, the Rugby team’s briefed to check everything. House. Outbuildings and to look for any work premises. Lock-ups and so on. Adam was a builder, though we don’t know if he’s still working.’

‘Excellent.’ Melanie’s impressed with Sam. So much is in motion already. She wonders if he had plans for this evening and feels a pang, thinking of Tom and George. Her own little family on holiday without her.

She checks her watch, eager to get going, but first she has to see Sally. She marches along the corridor to open the door to the neighbouring suite where Sally and Matthew are waiting.

‘Sorry about that question, Sally.’

‘Oh, that’s all right.’

‘You did great.’

‘Really?’

‘Absolutely. You really helped us. Helped Amelie. We’re getting lots of calls already. Also offers to assist with the ground search, so it couldn’t have gone better.’

‘Any leads?’ Matthew is pinching his bottom lip with his fingers.

‘Early days. But listen, I’ve got to go. Get myself up to speed with the team as the calls come in.’

‘Has something happened?’ Matthew looks suspicious.

‘No. Just important I’m with the team. I’ll ring you if we get anything solid.’ Melanie would love to tell him that Adam Meadows has come crawling out of the woodwork, but she daren’t. She knows Matthew too well. He’ll get in his own car and try to find him, whatever promises he’s made not to interfere.

Five minutes later she’s in her car, Sam alongside.

‘So were local police thrilled to handle the initial search for us?’

She knows how stretched all forces are – most struggling to handle their own caseload, let alone help out other forces.

‘Actually very helpful,’ says Sam. ‘I guess when it’s a kid, everyone parks the politics. They have my details for the update and Mr Meadows will be told you’re on the way; that you also want a word.’

‘Good.’

Melanie smooths her hair back from her eyes as she indicates to turn right, nearing the slip road to the dual carriageway. The team had discussed whether to mention the Meadows in the first press conference. A difficult call, but Melanie decided, without any real evidence, that it would be wrong to suggest them as key suspects to the media. It was also legally tricky and could put the focus of the appeal in the wrong direction and stop someone phoning in with some other important lead. Also, it could be a dangerous trigger for the Meadows if they were involved. So this call from Adam Meadows is a gift, solving her immediate problem. The urgent need to count them in or count them out.

Melanie’s mind is whirring, wondering how long it will take to search Adam’s home. How soon they might get a call. If he’s still a builder, it could be trickier as he might have access to a number of properties. They’ll need to be thorough. She has also left instructions for her team to update her hourly on all the calls from the public received after Sally’s appeal. It’s going to be busy.

‘Best news is I brought snacks,’ Sam says suddenly, opening his backpack. ‘Quality sandwiches and chocolate biscuits.’

‘I’m sorry. I don’t allow eating in my car.’ Melanie keeps a straight face and watches Sam’s horror. She concentrates on the road for a while, enjoying his misery. He’s tall and wiry. Probably has hollow legs. High metabolism like her husband Tom who always has a snack in his pocket. Finally she breaks and shares a small smile. ‘Sorry, Sam. Joking. Couldn’t resist it.’

Sam lets out a huff of relief. ‘Grief! Got me there. Without snacks, I am a monster. Was warned you’re not one for meal breaks.’

‘Whoever told you that?’ Melanie’s smile broadens. She’s well aware the team has clocked her sleeping bag in the office.

‘Chicken and bacon with mayo or tuna salad?’

‘You choose.’ Melanie glances at the sat nav.

Three and a half hours. The search warrant should come through quickly, given it’s a missing child.

Melanie starts to make a plan in her head for when she meets Adam Meadows face to face. What to say, what not to say. She feels the familiar shot of adrenaline. A child’s life is in danger. She can’t afford to get this one wrong.