Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry (book recommendations .TXT) 📗

‘Right, so I strongly suggest you don’t give him any ammunition to use against you. This case had better be run by the book,’ Fox said. ‘And I noticed you’ve drafted in our psychology expert and Ms Silver seems to be quite at home in the Glover lounge. Were you going to bother running that one by me first? Or did you decide to promote yourself in my absence?’

Fox didn’t miss a trick. ‘Ma’am, I was just about to ask your permission.’

Grant pushed Treadgold from his mind. There was only one thing which mattered and that was Emily and Lisa and he’d be damned if he’d allow a b-tard like the Assistant Chief Constable to throw him off his stride.

He was halfway down the hallway when his phone buzzed. It was Delaney phoning to say they had a partial on the vehicle registration.

‘We were lucky,’ Delaney said. ‘One of the neighbours has insomnia. He woke early as he usually does and went to read downstairs because he doesn’t like to disturb his wife. He heard the getaway car and he got a glimpse. He said he knew from the speed it pulled away there was something wrong and he got the last three digits which were TMR.’

‘Fantastic work. Once you’ve covered the Hardmans’ street, leave the rest of the neighbourhood to the constables. Join Ruby here at the Glovers and begin a search of the children’s bedrooms.’

Grant punched the air. At three hours in, it was a great hit. He just wished he could see Treadgold’s face once he found out.

9

It was lucky for Grant that Sylvie Delacourt had left her details with the au pair agency. The agency told him Sylvie was hoping to find a position with another family and this was proving difficult given the reason for her dismissal. In the meantime, Sylvie had found work in a coffee shop in the seaside town of Brighton. One quick call and Grant knew she would be coming in to work for the second half of the morning.

Driving at the limit the whole way, it still took Grant an hour to arrive. The coffee shop had a nice view of the sea and the long shingle beach of Brighton. Grant took a few lungfuls of sea air. The clock was ticking and this trip had better be damn worth it. Time to find out what had really happened between Alice and Sylvie.

Ordering a hot drink, he took a seat at the window. The place was filled with a wonderful aroma of pastries. Sylvie was easy to identify because he could hear her Australian accent as she chatted to customers. An attractive young woman, Sylvie had a fair complexion, a smattering of freckles across her nose and long auburn hair styled into waves. She wore a chic knee-length dress.

Grant called Sylvie over.

‘I’m Detective Chief Inspector Grant from Sussex Police. Please would you join me for a few minutes?’

‘My boss told me you were coming,’ Sylvie said. ‘I saw the terrible news about Emily and Lisa, it’s about them, isn’t it? I can’t stop for long though because I’m working and I’ve already had time off this morning.’

Grant had come all this way because he wanted to see her reaction first-hand.

‘To start with, I need to ask where you were between two o’clock and four o’clock this morning.’

She slid into a seat opposite Grant. ‘Am I in trouble?’

‘This is an informal interview because I need your help.’

‘Oh gosh, if I knew anything about the kids I’d have called the hotline. Let me think – at two o’clock I was fast asleep. I woke up at seven and I started work at eight.’

‘Do you live alone? Is there anyone who can corroborate this?’

‘I’ve a flatmate except she was asleep and she doesn’t even wake up when I take a shower so there’s no point talking to her.’

It seemed Sylvie didn’t have an alibi and at that time of the morning for most persons of interest the same was going to be true.

‘Do you know anything which could help me find Emily and Lisa?’

‘How would I?’ Sylvie said, picking at a serviette. ‘I haven’t seen the children for months.’

‘When exactly was the last time you saw them?’

Sylvie took out her phone and her hand was trembling as she swiped the screen. ‘Let me check, I can tell you exactly – fifteen weeks ago. Alice got rid of me just after the New Year holidays and whatever she told you is a lie – I didn’t leave the children alone. That was her excuse. She made it up so she could kick me out.’

‘Why would she do that?’

‘Alice is insecure and she imagines a lot of things. If you check with the agency you’ll find I’m not the first au pair she’s told to leave.’

It was true and another reason he was here. The agency told Grant Alice Glover had sacked three out of six girls in the last few years. Sylvie had been the third failed placement and it was why that particular agency was no longer working with the Glover family. Which explained why the Glovers currently had no au pair.

Grant stirred his coffee. ‘Yes, that’s what the agency told me. That’s a lot of insecurity on the part of Alice Glover. Care to fill me in?’

‘She’s the type of woman who gets jealous of younger women and I’m sure you can work out the rest yourself – a woman who’s losing her looks and a husband who attracts attention…’

Grant raised an eyebrow. ‘And?’

‘Want me to spell it out? There was nothing going on between Jack and me except she thought there was.’

‘Why would she think it then?’

‘I’ve no idea, you’ll have to ask her yourself.’

‘I see,’ Grant said. ‘And what about Emily and Lisa. Can you tell me about the children? What are they like?’

‘They’re easy. Lisa is totally cute and adorable and she does as she’s told. Emily has more of her own