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‘Take a pew, Yellich. The Williamses’ house.’
‘Yes, boss.’
‘Just finish your sandwich and let me have your impressions of it.’
‘Neat,’ said Yellich, with food in his mouth. He swallowed.
‘Very neat. Wouldn’t like to live there.’
‘Not a place where a man could put his feet up, speak with his mouth full and feel at home?’
Yellich didn’t reply.
‘But no sign of violence?’
‘No, boss.’
‘Forced entry?’
‘No. Nothing at all like that.’
‘And no bodies?’
‘No, boss.’
‘Yet you think it’s a crime scene?’
‘Aye, I do, boss.’ Yellich leaned back in his chair. He was a man in his thirties, short, dark hair, balanced features, clean-shaven.
‘Why?’
‘Well, boss, the son says they should be there, there was cash and a cheque book in the house, things which would not be left if they were going away for any length of time, the cheque book especially. The neighbour; Mr Thorn, he told the constable that they don’t go anywhere without their car, they’d only leave their car, I suppose, if they were going on a foreign holiday, or suchlike.’
‘And we’d know if they were on a pla
‘It’s out of character. By all accounts. A well-set-up couple in middle age, wealthy enough to run a Volvo estate and live in a smart bungalow—bit cramped inside, but smart enough—don’t vanish into thin air.’
‘Do we know them?’
‘No. I ran their names and approximate ages through the computer as a matter of course. Negative.’
‘So, no criminal acquaintances that we know of.’
‘No, boss.’
‘And they’re known to dine at the Mill, according to their neighbour. So they’ve got money and successful children. I have to say that you’re right. Sergeant, I too feel that all is not well, not well at all. My waters tell me.’
‘Aye, sir?’
‘Aye, Yellich, aye. You and I have two places to visit.’
‘We have, boss?’
‘We have. First you wash your sandwich down with another of the obligatory mugs of tea, and make me one while you’re at it.’
‘So, where are we going?’ Yellich stood.
‘We’re going to a stone frigate.’
‘A what?’
‘That’s what the navy call their shore establishments, and then we’re going to the Mill.’
HMS Halley stood off the A6055 Knaresborough to Borough bridge Road, it was surrounded by a wire fence and shrubs and signs warning of dog patrols. He
‘Morning, son.’ He
‘Yes, sir. Do you have ID?’
The officers showed their identity cards.
‘If you’d like to wait here, please, gentlemen.’ The young sailor returned to the gatehouse and was seen by He
Eventually a dark-blue Land Rover approached the gate from within the base, shimmering through a heat haze. As it drew closer the police officers were able to make out the words ‘Provost Marshal’ painted on a sign which was bolted to the Land Rover’s front bumper. The vehicle halted at the main gate and the occupant of the passenger seat got out of the vehicle and approached He
‘I understand you gentlemen wish to see Mr Williams?’
The member of the provost marshal’s corps leaned forwards as he spoke to He
‘We do.’
‘Have to ask you to leave your vehicle here, sir, we’re on Bikini Amber because of terrorist activity in London.’
‘I see.’
‘Apart from anything else, it means that no civilian vehicles are allowed on Ministry land.’
‘Fair enough.’ He
The Land Rover started with a jolt and sped across the base, halting, precisely, it seemed to He
He
‘Some interview room,’ Yellich growled. ‘It makes me feel guilty just being here.’
He
Outside the building a strong-sounding, assertive football was heard approaching. The boy on the platform was heard to snap to attention, a door opened and three pairs of boots similarly snapped to attention. A clipped voice said, ‘Good afternoon, sir. Interview room one, sir.’ He
‘Lieutenant Williams?’ He
‘Yes. And you are?’
‘Chief Inspector He
‘Yes.’
‘Shall we sit down?’ He
He
He
‘Well, Lieutenant, I’m afraid we have some bad news for you.’
‘Oh?’
‘Your parents appear to have disappeared.’
‘Disappeared?’
‘I’m afraid so. The circumstances are sufficiently mysterious for us to be concerned and we’re being more proactive than we would be in a normal mis per enquiry because of it.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’
‘We entered your parents’ bungalow—we found the key where you said it would be. There is no sign of violence in the house, no damage that we can see, no sign of anything having been stolen…there was a little cash on the dressing table…if there had been a theft of any kind that is likely to have been stolen.’