‘That’s fine,’ he nodded. Craig looked shattered. His eyes were barely open and fatigue was evident in the slow way he moved.
‘The kidnapping,’ Matilda began. ‘As I’m sure you’re aware, kidnappings don’t happen very often in this country. Is there a chance someone could be playing a prank?’
‘A prank? No. No. Of course not. Who would do something like that?’
‘Ok. Is there anyone you can think of who may have a grudge against you?’
‘No,’ he replied quickly.
‘Have you had any arguments or fights with anyone lately?’
‘No.’
‘Has anything out of the ordinary happened to any of you recently to bring unwarranted attention?’
‘No!’ He snapped.
‘Have you, or anyone, noticed anyone hanging around the house, any strange phone calls, emails or texts?’
‘No. Nothing.’
Matilda adjusted herself on the uncomfortable sofa. It was infuriating the way people lived in their own bubble, unaware of what was happening in the real world. Until something outlandish like a kidnapping happens, the signs of a stranger lurking in the shadows are rarely seen. Why didn’t people open their bloody eyes more? ‘Craig, do you have the fifty thousand pounds asked by the kidnappers?’
‘No, we don’t,’ he said, running his fingers through his messy hair.
‘In cases like this, when someone is kidnapped for ransom, the kidnappers know the family is able to raise that kind of money.’ She immediately thought of the Meagans and their lavish lifestyle. ‘Can you think of anyone who would think you can get your hands on fifty thousand?’
‘No,’ he said, getting up from the sofa and going over to the window. He turned back to Matilda. ‘Look, we’re just a regular, normal family. We’re not rich. We don’t go on expensive holidays. We don’t drive big cars. I’m working two jobs to try and keep us solvent. I work seven days a week to provide for my family. There are times when I don’t see my kids for days because I’m out before they get up and I don’t come home until they’re in bed,’ he was struggling to keep hold of his emotions. ‘We don’t have a spare fifty quid let alone fifty grand.’
‘Dad,’ Jodie whimpered. She held out her hand and he took it, perching next to her on the armchair.
‘We’re not rich. We’re not famous. We’re just an ordinary family trying to survive in this bastard of a world,’ he cried.
Matilda looked at Ellen and nodded slightly towards Jodie.
‘Jodie, why don’t you and I go and feed Riley. It must be past his breakfast time by now.’
‘Dad?’ She asked, looking at her father with wet eyes.
‘It’s ok, love, you go and feed your brother.’
Matilda waited until they were all out of the living room before she spoke. Sian had joined her on the sofa.
‘Craig, I’m sorry for the questions I’m asking. I’m just trying to find out who would have taken your daughter.’
‘It’s fine. I know you’re only doing your job. It’s just … I feel so helpless.’
‘That’s understandable. Craig, where were you when your wife called you yesterday to say Keeley had gone missing?’
‘It was Amanda from next door who called me. I was in Chesterfield making a delivery. I’ve got an app on my phone that will confirm it.’
Quick with an alibi. ‘Thank you. I hope you didn’t mind me asking.’
‘No.’
‘Where did your wife go this morning?’
‘I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me.’ Again, he replied too quickly for Matilda’s liking.
‘Ok. Is Keeley the type of person to go off with a stranger?’
It was a while before Craig answered. ‘I’d like to think not. We’ve told her about the danger of talking to strangers, but, some of these sick bastards are very manipulative, aren’t they?’
‘I’m afraid so. Are your daughters on any social networking sites?’
‘Isn’t everyone? Jodie’s on the lot, I think. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat. I keep telling her, it’s called social media, which means you have to be social and not spend the evenings staring at your tablet.’
Matilda smiled. ‘And what about Keeley?’
‘She’s on Snapchat. Our Jodie got her interested in it. She keeps taking selfies and putting dog ears on them or something. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.’
‘Me neither,’ Sian butted in. ‘I’ve got four kids and they’ve all tried to get me on Instagram and Twitter. I can’t think of anything worse.’
‘Have they mentioned being contacted by anyone they didn’t know?’ Matilda asked Craig.
‘Everyone’s a stranger on social media. I’ve told the girls time and time again that they don’t know who they’re talking to. Their profile picture might be that of a fourteen-year-old girl, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a fifty-year-old pervert typing the messages. Wait, you don’t think Keeley’s been contacted through these sites?’
‘At this stage, I’ve no idea. We will need to look at all their activity online.’ Matilda leaned forward. ‘Craig, I know I’m probably the last person you and your wife want to look for your daughter after the Carl Meagan investigation. However, I am very good at my job and I have an exceptional team of officers around me. We will do everything in our power to find Keeley and bring her home.’
Craig nodded and offered a weak smile. ‘Thank you.’
Matilda paused as she studied Craig. His face was a map of angst and worry, and he seemed genuinely distraught at not knowing where his daughter was, but there was something niggling away at Matilda’s brain telling her there was something odd in this household. When Carl went missing, there was no doubt in her mind he’d been kidnapped and the request for a ransom was genuine. Here, she couldn’t quite work out what was going on. Not yet, anyway.
‘We’ll need to look at any laptops, computers, tablets and phones that belong to you all.’
‘Of course. Take anything you think will help.’
‘Thank you. Would it be possible to look around Keeley’s bedroom before we go?’
‘Sure. Listen, can I ask you a personal question?’ Craig asked.
Matilda knew what was coming. She took a deep breath. ‘Of course.’
‘Why didn’t you find Carl Meagan?’
***
Matilda led the way with Sian following. As they reached the first floor landing, they could hear muffled sobbing coming from one of the bedrooms, obviously Linda. The atmosphere in the house was heavy and was getting darker as each minute ticked by without them knowing where Keeley was.
Keeley’s bedroom door was wide open. The carpet was a plush pink and the walls – what could be seen behind the posters of Disney films – were painted a warm pink. This was the bedroom of a typical nine-year-old girl. The single duvet cover was from Frozen, showing a beautiful princess and a smiling snowman. There were fairy lights around the headboard, soft toys on the bed, and Disney books on the shelves. Beneath the window was a desk. Her pink tablet was plugged in and charging.