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“I need a break in the case,” he said, rubbing his forehead. “Anything. At this rate, people will be afraid to send their children to school.”
“I only know what I heard on the radio,” I said. “But the Times wants a story for tomorrow.”
“We haven’t released any details to the press or the public except to confirm her name and that she is missing. Everything else is speculation on social media.”
“Is there anything you can tell me?” I asked.
He straightened the cocktail napkin under his drink and nodded. “Do you mind if we just talk for a while? I need to get my mind off the case for a minute.”
“Of course,” I said. I could see the strain in his face and could only imagine the toll a job like his would take day after day. Not to mention, he looked like a perfectionist and someone who would be bothered by the magnitude of an unsolved case and his reputation.
“What brought you to London?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I did my final year of university at Goldsmiths and got an intern position at the Times. I was offered a job when I graduated, but I don’t know if the new editor really thinks I’m qualified.”
“I’m sure you are,” he said. “Goldsmiths doesn’t accept just anyone.”
“We’ll see.”
“Do you miss America?”
I tried not to stiffen at the question. “No, not really. London suits me. I’m more of a city girl.”
His mouth tightened. “I understand. My wife preferred the city.”
“You’re married,” I asked, not noticing a ring on his finger.
“Separated. Divorcing. She wasn’t keen on moving back to Pembrokeshire. She gave it her best shot, but after two years, she told me she didn’t want to live here anymore and that it was stifling her. So, she up and left.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said, giving me a smile. “It wasn’t meant to be. Anyway, I’m supposed to be giving you some information. I appreciate you coming to me and not the family.”
“Of course, thank you for helping me out.”
“It’s not much, but here’s what I can tell you. Bryn left for the bus stop at seven in the morning, and she never made it. The bus driver notified the school when she wasn’t there, considering the past disappearances, and the school called her father to see if she was sick. Her father feels horrible. He wasn’t able to take her to school because of his job. He works construction and needs to report to work at six.”
“That’s horrible,” I said. “Is there anything identifying about her that the public can look out for, like the clothes she was wearing?”
“She had on her school uniform and was carrying a light blue rucksack.”
“That’s helpful.”
“There is one thing I can tell you. It can’t be included in your article, though. Bryn lost her mother a year ago. Her father says things have been tough, especially for Bryn. She’s been depressed and stopped hanging out with friends, spending most of her time after school and on weekends in her room. It doesn’t really have anything to do with her disappearance, but it paints a picture of who she is.”
“Thank you, Morgan.”
“Can I ask you a question?” he said.
“Yes.”
“Why were you interested in the Ellis place and Rhys Hughes?”
I shook my head. “It was something my boyfriend overheard.”
He waited for me to continue.
“Um, it had to do with secret societies and the missing girls, but it turned out to be wrong.”
