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Nelson can’t suppress a smile at the involuntary ‘boss’. He says, ‘I wasn’t just avoiding Jo. We’re seriously short-staffed on this case. I can’t use Judy because of the Cathbad connection and Tony’s isolating at home because of some bloody app.’
‘That NHS app will be the death of me,’ says Clough. ‘I’ve got two officers cooling their heels at home as we speak.’
‘That’s a shame,’ says Nelson, ‘because I was going to ask you if you had anyone we could borrow.’
Clough uses his last chip to mop up tomato sauce. ‘There is someone I can let you have,’ he says. ‘A very keen young DC. Lucy, her name is. She seems interested in the case and it would be good experience for her.’
Nelson had been hoping for an experienced detective, not someone still learning the ropes, but he knows he can’t look a gift cop in the mouth. ‘Send her over tomorrow,’ he says. ‘She can report to Tanya.’
‘Heaven help her,’ says Clough.
Back in his car, Nelson checks his messages. Several from Leah but, unexpectedly, three from Judy. He rings her back immediately.
‘It’s probably nothing,’ says Judy. But she doesn’t sound like it’s nothing. Her voice is high and strained. ‘But I’m worried about Cathbad. He didn’t turn up to collect the children from school.’
Chapter 19
Nelson drives straight to Judy and Cathbad’s house. As he parks the car, he sees Katie walking towards him. She looks so carefree, swinging her school bag, socks rolled down and jumper knotted round her waist, that Nelson spends a few minutes just watching her. He doesn’t consider himself the sort of person who reminisces about schooldays but he suddenly remembers the smell of grass on the field, the siren call of the ice cream van, dawdling on the way home with his friends, hoping to see girls from the neighbouring grammar school. He doesn’t want to disturb Katie’s happy self-absorption with the news that her godfather is missing.
But Katie has recognised the car. She approaches the open window. ‘Dad! What are you doing here?’
Nelson gets out and gives his daughter a kiss. ‘Hallo, love. Just popped in to talk to Judy.’
‘OK,’ says Katie vaguely. Then, with more animation, ‘I got ten out of ten in a maths test today.’
‘That’s my girl,’ says Nelson. He’d been good at maths at school and is still quicker than Ruth at mental arithmetic, something that never fails to give him quiet satisfaction.
Judy opens the front door. Thing is at her side, smiling his wide bull terrier grin. Nelson can hear Michael playing the piano. The boy sounds like a virtuoso to him and Judy recently confided that he’d passed his last grade with distinction. Cathbad doesn’t approve of competitive music exams.
‘Hi, Nelson. Hi, Kate. There are flapjacks in the kitchen if you want some. Miranda’s in there.’
Katie disappears in search of nourishment and Judy’s smile slides off her face.
‘He’s left his phone here,’ she says.
‘You know Cathbad,’ says Nelson. ‘He never has his phone. Thinks it sends out poisonous rays or some such crap.’
‘He usually takes it when he collects the kids,’ says Judy. ‘And he’s never late for them. Miranda was crying.’
‘Did he say what he was doing today?’
‘Just that he was going to take Thing for a walk and try to do some yoga. He wants to start his classes again.’
‘And he didn’t leave a note? Some ancient runes?’
Judy ignores this. ‘I’ve checked,’ she says, ‘and there are no RTAs.’
Nelson feels chastened. If Judy is checking road traffic accidents, she must be seriously concerned.
‘I’ll put out a misper report,’ he says. ‘I’ll classify it as high risk.’
This is a concession. Adult missing persons are not usually considered high risk at first. According to the files, Emily Pickering’s disappearance wasn’t considered a priority until she had been missing for almost a week.
‘Thank you. I’m really worried. Cathbad’s still not back to his old self. After Covid and. . .’
She pauses. ‘And?’ prompts Nelson.
‘And he’s really upset about this Emily Pickering case,’ says Judy, the words coming out in a rush. ‘He hasn’t said much but I can tell. He’s been odd recently.’
