Saturday, April 17th
Rosary Orphanage, 9:20 am
Neil was parking his car in front of the orphanage in plenty of time for his team basketball training, when his mobile phone vibrated in his pocket.
He didn’t recognize the number, and he answered:
“McKinley!”
“Detective McKinley, I am sorry to disturb you. I asked for your number at the police station.”
Neil recognized the voice of Vincent Clancy, and he perceived anxiety in a man used to having everything under control.
“Mr. Clancy, good morning. I am going to come to the hospital later to see how your granddaughter is. They told me yesterday that she should wake up today.”
“Yes, we are looking forward to it, after so many days… Have you talked to my daughter recently?”
“As a matter of fact, we called her yesterday to ask her about a mobile phone number that belongs to her, but she said she lost it a few months ago…”
“A mobile number? I didn’t know Olivia had two sim cards…”
Neil could perceive the man’s nervousness. He asked:
“Mr. Clancy, what’s up? I can hear you are worried about something!”
“Inspector , I am worried about Olivia. I told her about Brian, and I had to show her the PI’s report. I knew that it would be a shock for her, but … Yesterday I saw that she had destroyed all her husband’s photos, she is seldom here at the hospital, and she doesn’t tell me where she is going. Even now that we are waiting for Rachel to wake up any minute, she said she had to go, and she left in a hurry…”
Neil could feel that the old man was really worried, and he asked:
“What is your concern, Mr. Clancy? What do you fear?”
“detective McKinley, my daughter has a very sweet disposition, she is trustworthy and reliable, but she loves Brian deeply, and she has always defended him, when I hinted at the fact that there was something wrong in the long periods he spent far from his home and his family. Now I don’t know if she has processed the reality she has just learnt, what her feelings to Brian will turn into… Hate? Resentment? Furthermore, yesterday at dinner she spoke about the other family Brian has there in Rosary, she hinted at the fact that she thinks they are responsible, that they certainly knew about her and Rachel!” Neil could read anxiety in Clancy’s voice, and he interrupted him:
“But it is not true, Mr. Clancy. The other daughter and her grandmother were as shocked as you and Mrs. Olivia. That idea she is harboring is dangerous.”
Vincent said immediately:
“That’s what I told her, and yesterday I was sure I had convinced her of the absurdity of that thought, but… She is nervous… Mr. McKinley, please find that man, before Olivia does anything she may regret for the rest of her life…”
“We are doing our best, I can assure you… if your son-in-law tries to contact you or your daughter, please let us know immediately… And keep an eye on your daughter, call her frequently! Keep in touch with her…”
“Of course, Inspector , see you later at the hospital…”
***
Rosary hospital, 11 am
Neil arrived at the hospital after the training session at the orphanage. He walked down the corridor, and he immediately saw Vincent Clancy and Olivia who were talking outside Rachel's room. Neil could read worry on their faces, and Olivia's demeanor betrayed her nervousness.
“Hello, Inspector !” Vincent Clancy said, shaking hands with the policeman. Neil noticed that Olivia kept her eyes downcast and avoided the Inspector ’s gaze. He didn't know if it was because she was worried about her daughter or because she didn't want him to see her reaction to what she had learnt about her husband.
“How is Rachel?” He asked simply.
Vincent Clancy smiled, and he said in a tender voice:
“She woke up an hour ago, she embraced us, and she seems better. She still has a slight headache, but the doctors say it is not unusual, because of the concussion.”
Neil asked tentatively, looking from father to daughter:
“Have you asked her what happened?”
Olivia locked eyes with him, but she immediately lowered her gaze, as if she was afraid of what the Inspector could read in her expression. Vincent Clancy sighed deeply, before answering:
“We asked, but she said she wanted to talk to the police, and she refused to tell us anything… Inspector , can you talk to her?”
“Of course, but I won’t tell her anything about her father’s situation. It’s up to you, Mrs. Clancy,” Olivia started when she heard him call her by her maiden name, and she was forced to look at the policeman, “to decide when and what to tell her.” Olivia simply nodded, and she sat down heavily on a chair in the corridor, as if she was exhausted. Her father sat down next to her, and he held her hand.
A doctor came out of Rachel’s room, and Neil asked kindly:
“Doctor, can I talk to Rachel for a few minutes?”
The doctor nodded and answered:
“She asked to talk to the police, so it is ok, but, please, she is still shaken and weak…”
“Don’t worry, I will stay just a few minutes…”
He gently opened the door of the room, and he saw the young girl lying in bed. Her face was turned towards the window, but, as soon as she heard the door, she turned. She saw the handsome policeman standing in the doorway, as if he was afraid to disturb her. He had the badge on his belt but no gun, and he was wearing sports trousers and a baseball shirt. She couldn’t help thinking that he was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, and he also had a pleasant smile, and the demeanor of a kind man.
He said immediately:
“Hello, Rachel, how are you? They told me you wanted to talk to a police officer, but if you prefer another time, I…”
She shook her head, and she stretched her hand towards him:
“No, sir, I would prefer to talk to you now… I don’t know what to tell my mum...” Anxiety could be read on her face, mixed with the confusion typical of a person who wakes up after some days of unconsciousness.
Neil approached the bed, and he sat on a chair next to it. He said:
“Call me Neil, please…”
Rachel gave another look at the man beside her, and she said:
“Of course, I knew I had seen you somewhere…” A smile appeared on her pale lips, and she went on: “You are the officer who received an award from the governor last December… Oh, I can’t remember your name, and you look a little different without your uniform…”
Neil smiled and said:
“Maybe I look a little less serious and nervous…” Rachel couldn’t help thinking: ‘And also much more handsome in person…’
Neil didn’t like it when they reminded him of that ceremony, but he was glad if remembering it helped Rachel to relax.
He asked:
“Rachel, can you tell me what happened?”
Rachel took a deep breath, and she said:
“Can you help me tell my mum and my grandfather? For my mum it will be a shock, because I don’t know if she has learnt who my father is in reality...” Her expression became hard when she mentioned her father. Neil nodded and said tentatively:
“Rachel, your mother knows more than you think, I believe. Why don’t we call her and your granddad and you try to tell them as well? I think they have a right to know what happened to you, and to learn it from you…”
Rachel thought for a few moments, and then she said:
“Will you stay here?”
“Of course, Rachel. Don’t worry!”
“Ok, can you call them?”
Neil stood up from the chair, and he went to the corridor. He told Olivia and Vincent:
“I have convinced Rachel to let you listen to what she wants to tell me. She thinks you still don’t know anything about Mr. Murray… Evidently she learnt something before her attack…”
Olivia and her father came immediately into the room. Olivia went to sit on the edge of the bed, opposite Neil, and Vincent took a chair and sat at the foot of the bed. Olivia started caressing her daughter’s hair with tenderness, and she said softly:
“Rachel, what do you know about your father?”
Rachel turned to Neil, who had taken his seat, she sighed, and she started:
“My grandfather had told us that he had discovered something about my dad, but that he wanted to talk to him first.” She looked at her grandfather, and she said: “I am sorry, granddad, but dad had disappeared once again, and I could see that you were nervous. When you were out I found the envelope of a PI in one of the drawers of your desk, and …” Mr. Clancy was watching her, but he didn’t comment. It was evident that disobeying her grandfather was not something Rachel usually did, but at that moment he was more concentrated on what Rachel would say next, so he just nodded benevolently, and waited for her to go on.
“You can imagine my first reaction when I saw those photos, and I read the report. On an impulse I sent him a message, telling him that I wanted to talk to him personally. I can’t remember the exact words, but I was very angry.” Olivia was trying hard to hold back the tears, and it was evident that she was completely stunned and unable to say anything. Rachel looked at her with affection, and she said:
“Mum, I am sorry. Has granddad shown you the report?”
Olivia simply nodded, and she embraced her daughter. Neil didn’t press them to go on or show signs of impatience. He knew how difficult the moment was for both of them, and he hoped that Rachel’s presence would help Olivia to focus on her daughter, and not on her anger.
“Anyway,” Rachel went on, turning to Neil, “he called me the following day, telling me to meet him just outside St. John, in the parking place near the diner, where we used to go with mum. He told me to meet him there the following Sunday at 4:40 pm, and he made me promise not to tell either mum or granddad. At first I was looking forward to meeting him and listening to his side of the story, but last Sunday I changed my mind. I called him in the afternoon and I told him that I didn't want to see him. He insisted and I noticed that he was nervous. He said that he wanted to tell me something that would clarify everything I had learnt about him. He told me he had evidence that he had never cheated on us. He ordered me to meet him at the same place. He was in a hurry, because the time we had agreed on had passed.”
Rachel became more and more agitated while she was speaking. She seemed on the verge of feeling sick, but she took a deep breath and went on.
“When I arrived at the layby he was already there, standing next to his car. He opened my door and he dragged me out of the car. He wanted to force me into his car, but I resisted. He scared me, because he was agitated and out of control. I started walking… I don't know what I intended to do, I just didn't want to stay near him.” A sob prevented her from going on. Olivia took her hand and waited patiently, sending that now came the most difficult part.
“He followed me and told me: ‘Stop running away. Come with me. If you don't do what I tell you, I will be ruined!’ I didn't understand the meaning of those words, but I could see that he had no intention to explain the meaning of what I had discovered about him. He reached me, he took my arms to force me to go back to his car. I struggled, I lost my balance, and … then I don't remember anything else.”
She turned to her mother, and she said in a soft voice:
She started crying softly and Olivia embraced her. Vincent Clancy had paled and seemed on the verge of feeling sick.
Neil turned to Rachel:
“Did your father mention someone? Did he talk on the phone?”
“No, he kept on checking his phone and looking around as if he was afraid of being followed, but he didn't mention anyone.”
Vincent Clancy asked, turning to the inspector:
“What were his intentions, in your opinion?”
Olivia looked at his father and she exclaimed:
“Certainly he wanted to protect Rachel, to prevent someone from harming her, maybe those two, that other family he had…”
Neil turned to Olivia, and he asked sharply:
“Mrs. Clancy, do you really think that leaving your daughter unconscious on the road was correct on the part of your husband?”
Olivia shook her head slowly, and she was going to say something, but Neil went on:
“Mrs. Clancy, I can understand that it is difficult to admit that the man you love so much has cheated you, but the sooner you accept this, the better it is for you and your family, but mostly for your peace of mind. And,” he stopped, he stood up, and he went to stand in front of the woman: “don’t dare to blame the other family. They didn’t know anything about you and Rachel, the girl was even kidnapped instead of your daughter six years ago.” Mr. Clancy gasped, and his eyes widened. Neil went on pitilessly, because he knew he had to divert the woman’s thoughts from her desire for revenge. “They are not rich, and the girl was released after a few days, but two years ago her mother died in mysterious circumstances, maybe because she had discovered something, we will never know…”
He looked from mother to daughter, and he went on with determination:
“I have already told Mr. Clancy, and I tell you now. If Murray tries to contact you, you MUSTcall the police, is it clear?”
Rachel nodded immediately. Olivia was looking at the policeman, and it was obvious that she resented his tone and his words. Her father looked at her sternly, and he pressed her:
“Olivia, have you heard Inspector McKinley’s words?”
She looked at her father, and she nodded but Neil was conscious he had not been able to convince her. He hoped they would be able to find Murray soon…
***
Dorchester Penitentiary, 2 pm
Malcolm Jarvis was surprised when they went to tell him that he had a visitor. His family had forsaken him a long time before, and his girlfriend had abandoned him when he had been arrested, almost three months before. It was a pity, because she was really a beautiful girl, and she seemed to enjoy the nights spent with him, but evidently she had found another guy. Oh, he would find another girlfriend as soon as he was out of prison, in little more than a year… He didn’t consider himself particularly handsome, but he had always had success with women.
When he arrived in the visitors’ room, he saw a tall policeman with a badge on his belt, who started looking intently at him, as soon as he entered the room. He judged the agent to be in his fifties, with a light beard and salt and pepper hair . He had penetrating dark eyes and the air of a person used to be in charge. Jarvis was asking the prison guard to take him back to his cell, when he changed his mind. He didn’t like policemen, also because they were always able to catch him. He had already been arrested two or three times. However, he was curious, and he wanted to know what this policeman, who wasn’t a simple agent, would want from him. Maybe he could make a deal, maybe he could exchange what he knew for his freedom…
The prison guard led him to a chair, and he went to stand by the door. The officer kept looking at him, but he couldn’t read the name on the badge.
“Hi, Jarvis!”
“Do I know you?”
“Not yet, I am commander Martin from St. John.”
Jarvis thought of this name for a few moments, but it didn’t ring any bells.
“Why do you come to visit me?”
Martin took his time to watch Jarvis closer, then he asked:
“Did you help as a volunteer in the Parish orphanage in Fredericton last December?”
Those damn sisters! He knew they had noticed him, also because he had been too insistent in trying to talk to that child. But who was this Martin? He expected another agent to come to question him, that was sure, but …
“Is it a crime, detective? Why do you ask? Did anyone complain?”
“No, nobody complained, but, since many children have disappeared from families or foster homes in the last few years, we are checking, and we have noticed that some volunteers don’t fill the form with their personal data. It is compulsory for everyone who deals with children or old people, you know?”
“Oh, maybe I forgot because I helped there for a short period. But how did you find me?”
“Because luckily the people who ‘forget’ to sign the papers are few and all the directors of orphanages and foster homes were asked to cross-reference data. The sisters there remembered you, but they didn’t have a name, and so …”
“What do you want to know?”
“Since a few years ago you were on the payroll of a child racketer, you must admit that it is something of a change to pass from child abductor to child entertainer…”
He had told that man that it was not a good idea to send him to the orphanage, but he had not listened to him. He reflected he had nothing to hide, because he had done nothing wrong, unless that child… He had to know… And he had to hide his nervousness…
“I still don’t see what interest you have in my short time as a volunteer, unless someone complained…”
“Did you like your experience, Jarvis? Because the sisters said that you looked like a fish out of water…”
“Really? I tried to notice the most isolated children, so that I could keep them company…”
“Ah, and do you remember a child in particular? Weren’t you there, by any chance, to select children who could be easily abducted?”
“Listen, agent. If you have anything against me, tell me. Otherwise, I don’t have time to waste with you.”
“And if I told you that I could put in a good word for you?”
That was something he needed, because he didn’t want to spend another year in prison, but he was starting to fear that it would not be possible, not if he had to … No, it was better to stay in prison than to betray that person…
“And what should I do in exchange for this word?”
“You could tell me if you had been sent to the orphanage to keep an eye on a child in particular and to report to someone in particular…”
Jarvis knew that the policeman in front of him was too intelligent not to notice the abrupt change in his demeanor and his nervousness.
“No, I was there because I didn’t have anything to do and a friend of mine invited me to help in that orphanage…”
“Do you remember the name of that friend? Was he a regular volunteer?”
This conversation had to finish soon, this was sure, because he was feeling trapped.
“No, I don’t remember, he was someone I had met in a bar. We exchanged a few words, and he told me that he was a volunteer…”
Martin stood up, and he said:
“Ok, if you change your mind, ask to talk to the police in St. John.”
He left without turning back. Jarvis was tempted to call him and say that he was there to check on a child. Had that man already taken her back? But he had told him that she didn’t remember anything! She was surely dead by now. Would he be an accomplice? No way, he had done nothing wrong, and when he had realized he had attracted too much attention, he had left… No, he couldn’t talk, that man would surely discover he had snitched on him, and then … Better to end his sentence and vanish …
***
In the visitor car park of Dorchester penitentiary, 3 pm
“Hi, Neil.”
“Hi, Jeff. Have you finished talking to Jarvis?”
“Yes, Neil. He knows something, he was certainly there to check on the child, but I think he is too frightened to talk. Evidently the person who sent him there scares him more than spending time in prison.”
“If that person is connected to Diego Gomez, I have no doubt. Thank you, David.”
“You know how much I owe you, Neil. If you had come, he would have certainly connected Amy to your visit.”
“Yes, and it could be dangerous for her…”
“And for you, Neil. Be careful. Have you verified if Gomez had a brother?”
“I called the FBI. They told me that he had a stepbrother who lived in Canada, but they have never found any connection to his business. He worked in a factory, and he had a normal life. His last residence is in Victoria. Steve has already told me that he is going to check his movements, as soon as he comes back from Toronto.”
“Ok, Neil, but be careful. I would like to say that Amy doesn’t remind me of Carol, but I can’t, Neil. Sue has noticed her eyes, too. I am afraid that what you will discover will be bad, very bad…”
“I know, Jeff. But I have you and the other guys beside me, and you don’t know how much that means to me…”
“We will always be here for you, Neil, you know, and I really hope you will find out where Carol is very soon, because you can’t go on like this…”
“Don’t worry, Jeff. I know that I should go on with my life, but I can’t. I have to know. Thanks for your help.”
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