Page 41 of The Stolen Child

‘You followed me?’

‘I saw you leave the hotel. I was on my way to speak to you as it happens. You walk fast, Kimberly.’

‘What do you want?’ She was irritated by his presence. What good was he to her? He couldn’t bring Robert back to them.

Ortega gestured towards an empty bench a few hundred feet away. She fell into step beside him, and they both took a seat.

‘Do you mind?’ Inspector Ortega asked, pulling out his cigarettes.

Kimberly shook her head, then surprised herself by asking, ‘Can I have one?’

‘I didn’t know you smoked,’ he replied as he passed her a cigarette, then flicked his lighter on to light it for her.

Kimberly inhaled her first drag, closing her eyes to savour the nicotine. ‘I don’t. But I had a boyfriend once who did. I used to have the odd one with him,’ she answered eventually. ‘Thank you.’

They sat silently for a moment as they smoked, watching the tourists move back and forth to and from the cruise ship.

‘How are you coping?’ Ortega asked.

‘I honestly feel like I’m hanging on by a thread.’

‘And Jason?’

Kimberly thought about that for a moment. ‘You’d need to ask him. I’ve barely spoken to him in days. He’s out searching for Robert practically twenty-four hours a day.’

‘Yes. I can see that he’s become a little obsessed, even manic. Has he changed?’

‘I don’t understand the question,’ Kimberly said. ‘From what?’

‘From the man you married? Is this behaviour normal for him?’

‘I don’t know. We’ve never had a child taken from us before. He’s trying to cope with this like I am.’

Ortega gave a Gallic shrug. ‘His actions are interesting to me. This over-the-top and zealous need to search.’

‘Surely that’s normal for any parent?’ Kimberly replied with a frown. Over the past couple of days, she’d seen a new side to Jason – one that was relentless in his need to find Robert. And Kimberly had realised that she didn’t know her husband at all.

‘Yes, I believe all parents would search the earth for their child. But Jason’s behaviour feels almost deranged. Perhaps it’s his need to divert attention from the fact that Robert died on the ship.’ Ortega’s voice was ice cold as he uttered his damning words.

‘Jason could never hurt Robert. I told you that already.’

Ortega’s eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped until it was almost a gentle caress. ‘I believe that you believe that, but something doesn’t add up for me.’ He paused, then said, ‘I think you’re scared.’

Kimberly’s stomach plummeted at his words.

‘Of course I am. I’m terrified you won’t find Robert. That he’s hurt. That he needs us, and we can’t get to him.’

‘Maybe,’ Inspector Ortega said, but she could see he didn’t believe that. ‘I have an alternative scenario to put to you.’

‘Go on, then. Tell me,’ Kimberly said, biting her lip until she felt blood.

‘I think you are afraid of Jason. That you suspect he did something wrong.’

Kimberly’s mind raced. Her only thought was of Lily back at the hotel. She was safe with Kevin. But then a wild thought snaked its way into her mind. What if Jason took Lily from her? It was clear that Kevin blamed Kimberly for this situation. She could see it in his eyes when he regarded her. Had he turned her husband against her? What if Jason and Kevin were packing their bags right now, ready to leave?

‘I want to get back to the hotel. To Lily,’ Kimberly said, standing up to leave.

Ortega grabbed her arm, stopping her. ‘I want to show you something.’