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“No,” said A
“Missing person?”
“Yes.” A
Campbell added a drop of milk and sipped his tea. “What co
Wait a minute, mate, A
“Not many,” said Campbell. “There are no wild parties, if that’s what you mean. At least not while I’ve been around, and I’ve heard no complaints from Ted in the office, or from the people on the other side. Word soon gets around about antisocial behavior, a place like this. We might not be the Ritz, but we’re not some backstreet fleabag hotel, either.”
“I didn’t assume you were,” A
Campbell ran his hand over his hair. “Sorry, love. You get a bit tired of some of the comments about us lot from Riverview up in the town. I’m just pointing out that we’re decent folk, most of us. We’re not Travelers, and most of us aren’t on benefits.”
A
“If he does, she doesn’t live with him, and he hasn’t introduced me to her.” He winked. “Maybe he’s scared she’ll run off with me, eh?”
“Not if he thinks he’s God’s gift. Do you know where his parents live?”
“No. He hardly ever mentions them. I seem to remember him saying his dad went back to Barbados, or some such place. And I don’t think Morgan’s from these parts. He’s got a slight Geordie accent.”
“Did you ever meet a lad called Lane? Mick or Michael Lane.”
“I met a lad called Mick once or twice. Morgan introduced him. In fact, he was another good worker. Nice lad. They both helped out with the new siding last summer. I gave them a te
“That’s the one,” A
“I’m sorry but I haven’t seen Morgan at all this weekend.”
“How long have you been up here?”
“Since Saturday evening.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m supposed to be heading back in a couple of hours.”
“Don’t worry. We won’t keep you. Is Morgan often away for long stretches of time?”
“I wouldn’t really know. I haven’t paid much attention to his comings and goings, and Ellie and me aren’t always up here. He’s often gone for the weekends when we do come. Maybe he does have a girlfriend hidden away somewhere. It’s been such a miserable spring so far that we haven’t been up much at all this year—hence the leaks. We were just as well off staying in Do
Campbell was obviously one of those cheerful DIYers who spent all their time at B & Q comparing spa
When A
Campbell sucked on his lower lip. “Let me see . . . it’d be a while back. Two or three weeks. Remember, we had a nice spell of sunshine in late February, early March?”
“What does he look like?”
“Look like?”
“Yes. Morgan. His appearance.”
“Well, he’s a bit shorter than me, about five foot eight, and stockier, I’d say, curly brown hair cut very short, and a sort of round face. More oval, maybe. Light colored, or light brown, enough so you can tell one of his parents is black. His dad, I suppose. No facial hair. He should have, though. Bit of a weak chin. There’s nothing that really stands out about him, except he’s got a slight limp in his left leg. Fell off a roof once when he was a kid, or so he told me. Oh, and he’s got one of those spider tattoos on his neck. Tends to be a bit flash with the bling, too. Gold chains, rings and what have you.”
“Do you keep an eye on his place when he’s not around?”
“I keep an eye on things for anyone who’s not around. When I’m here, that is. The others do the same when we’re not here. It’s not exactly a crime hot spot, but we get the occasional break-in, as you probably know.”
“Notice anyone noseying around lately?”
“Only you.”
A
“Early twenties. Thereabouts. Not much more.”
“Clothes?”
“Usually jeans and some sort of work shirt, or T-shirt if the weather’s warm. Baggy jeans. Not those with the crotch around the knees and belt around the thighs, but just . . . you know . . . baggy. Relaxed fit.”
“Plenty of wiggle room?” said A
“That’s right.”
“Does he need it?”
“Morgan’s not fat. Just stocky, like I said.”
“Hat?”
“Sometimes. Baseball cap, wrong way around. A red one. I don’t know if it’s got a logo. I’d have to see him from the back.”
Doug Wilson jotted the description down.
“Do you know where he keeps his van?”
“What van?”
“I understand Morgan’s in the house removal business. He has a large van.”
“I didn’t know that. Sorry, but I’ve no idea. I do know he rides a motorbike. A Yamaha. He usually keeps it parked beside the caravan.”
A
“No. Why? Do you think something’s happened to him?”
“We have no idea. As I said, we’re just trying to find his mate, Michael Lane.”
“Sorry I can’t help.”
“Do you think we could have a look around his caravan?”
“Got a search warrant?”
“Come on, Rick. You were a copper once.”
“It might just be a shitty old caravan to you, love, but it’s home to Morgan. Come back with a warrant and Ted’ll probably let you in. But, I warn you, he’s as much a stickler as I am. We look out for one another around these parts.”
“In adversity, solidarity,” said A
They struggled back into their wellies on the steps. “I really bollixed that up, didn’t I?” A