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“Shall I put the Krook lock on?” Wilson asked.
“Nah,” said A
“Watch it, guv,” said Wilson. “I grew up on an estate like this. You’re maligning my social background. You can get done for that. It’s not politically correct.”
“Sorry. Is that right? I thought you grew up in the country. You seem to know plenty about mole catchers and so on.”
“Just familiarizing myself with the territory. I like to take an interest in many things.”
“You really grew up on an estate like this?”
“Worse.” Wilson adjusted his glasses. “In Sheffield. It’s not something I’d lie about, or brag about, either. Actually, it wasn’t as bad as people think. We were lucky. We had decent neighbors. Give you the shirt off their back, they would. Or off someone’s back, at any rate.”
A
They walked toward the lift and Wilson pressed the button.
“You know, if this were on telly,” A
“Or if it worked,” said Wilson, “it’d be covered in graffiti and stink of piss.”
The lift shuddered to a halt, and the doors slid open. The inside was covered in graffiti and stank of piss. They got in anyway. A
“Yes, guv,” he said through clenched teeth. “Think I’ll make an appointment with the optometrist tomorrow and get fitted with some contact lenses.”
“That should help,” A
Wilson turned and started to glare at her, then his face broke into a smile. “Right. I’ll do that, too.”
“Here we are,” said A
They walked along the balcony between the windows and doors and the midriff-high fence, past bicycles without wheels, a pram and an abandoned fridge almost blocking their path. It was a hell of a view, A
A
“Alex Preston?”
The woman nodded.
“Police,” said A
“Is it about Ian? Nothing’s happened to him, has it? Or Michael?”
“Nothing’s happened to anyone as far as we know.”
“That’s a relief.” The woman took off the chain and opened the door. It led directly into the living room.
A
Of course, A
“Can I make you a cup of tea?” Alex asked. “I’m afraid we don’t have any coffee. Neither of us drinks it.”
“No, thanks,” said A
“I’m sorry about the lift. It’s got a mind of its own, hasn’t it? Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We’ve been trying to get the council to fix it for weeks now, but you know what they’re like. Especially when it comes to this estate.”
A
Alex fetched them each a glass of water and sat down in the armchair, leaning forward, clasping her hands in her lap. She was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, showing to advantage her shapely figure. Fluffy blue slippers with pink pompoms added a homely touch. Her blond hair, which looked natural to A
“What is it you want?” Alex asked, sitting forward in her chair, the small frown of concern still wrinkling her smooth forehead. “Are you sure nothing’s wrong? It’s not Ian, is it? Has something happened to Ian?”
“Ian? That’s your son, isn’t it?”
“Yes. He’s eight. He’s supposed to be at school.”
“Then I’m sure that’s where he is. This isn’t about Ian, Ms. Preston.”
Alex Preston seemed to relax again. “Well, that’s good to know,” she said. “And call me Alex, please. Kids. You never stop worrying. The older kids mostly leave him alone, but now and then they tease him a bit. They’re not so bad, really.” Then the frown reappeared. “What is it then? It’s not Ian, and you said nothing’s happened to Michael.”
Michael, A
“That’s just it. That’s why I was worried when you knocked at the door. I haven’t seen him since yesterday morning. I’m starting to get worried.”
“He does live here, though, doesn’t he?”
Alex smiled. It was a radiant smile, A
“None of my business,” said A
“I just wanted you to know. That’s all. And he’s really great with Ian. The two of them just get along so well.”
“Where do you think Michael might be?”
“Well, he said he was going to meet someone about a job, and after that he might go and drop in on his dad later. They aren’t on the best of terms, and it worried Michael. He knew he’d upset his father and let him down, especially after his mum left. He acted up, stole a car and all. I’m sure you know all about that, being police. They had a serious falling-out. They got over it to some extent, but things are still . . . well, difficult. I think it’s partly my fault, you know, being older, having a child. His father doesn’t approve.”