The Long Call (Two Rivers #1) - Ann Cleeves Page 0,118

lean on him about Lucy Braddick. The rest can wait until morning.’

* * *

Christopher Preece looked unflustered, but he’d done tricky business deals in the past and he’d be used to presenting a cool face to the world. Jen sat opposite him, waiting. If she’d been hoping to ratchet up the tension with her silent presence, it seemed that she’d failed.

‘We know about Rosa Holsworthy.’ Matthew had just come into the room and was still standing.

‘I’m sorry?’

‘We know that you paid off her parents to stop them pressing criminal charges against one of your volunteers.’

‘Ah,’ Preece said. He gave his slow, politician’s smile. ‘I’m afraid that’s not quite how I remember it.’

‘How do you remember it?’

‘The woman’s parents were reluctant to put their daughter through the anxiety of a trial. There’d be the issue of consent. As I understand it, Rosa had the reputation within the day centre of being a little…’ he paused ‘… promiscuous.’

‘She’s a woman with a learning disability and she was assaulted by an adult whom she trusted, whom her parents trusted, in what they considered to be a place of safety.’ Matthew felt himself grow angry. The tension that had been building all day was turning to fury.

Preece looked up at him and affected surprise. ‘I’d have thought you’d be as unwilling as we were to have any complaint made public. That you’d be grateful for the position we took. Your husband also holds a position of authority within the establishment.’

‘Although he was away at the time and was never consulted.’ Matthew forced himself to stay calm. Preece was playing games. Trying to wind him up. ‘Lucy Braddick, another of the day centre users, went missing this afternoon. Do you have any idea where she might be? We’re extremely concerned.’

‘I’m afraid I can’t help you, Inspector.’ The man leaned back in his chair. His arms were folded.

Matthew took a seat next to Jen Rafferty. ‘Your daughter supports your work at the Woodyard. Did you tell Caroline about the assault on Rosa? Or did she already know? Did she ask you to make the scandal involving her boyfriend go away?’

‘No! Of course not.’ He seemed a little rattled now. ‘It was a management decision. Nothing to do with her.’

‘Do you think she would have approved of the way the matter was handled?’ Matthew thought he could play dirty too.

There was a moment of silence. ‘Possibly not, Inspector. But Caroline is young and idealistic. She probably doesn’t understand that if news of what happened became public knowledge, especially if there was a court case concerning Craven, all public and most private funding for St Cuthbert’s mental health centre would dry up. He’s a curate at the church that sponsors her work. She’d be without a job. And her friend Gaby would find herself unemployed too, because the incident happened at the Woodyard Centre and that’s dependent on charitable donations too.’

Matthew leaned forward across the table. His voice was clipped and precise. ‘You do realize that if you’d dealt with Mrs Holsworthy’s complaint appropriately at the time, Simon Walden would still be alive? Two women would have been saved the trauma of abduction? Events have run out of control, Mr Preece. They’re still running out of control and I hold you responsible. Please think about that.’ A pause. ‘Now, is there anything more you can tell me?’

He thought he might have got through to the man. There was a moment of silence. Then Preece spoke again.

‘I’m very sorry, Inspector. I’m afraid I can’t help you.’

Matthew left the room. He needed to clear his head, to get fresh air, space to think. He stood outside for a moment. On the wooded mound of Castle Hill, against the background noise of Saturday night partying, someone was playing the guitar. The sound, plaintive, floated across the concrete towards him.

* * *

Back in the open-plan office there was still no news of the Salters or the Marstons. Ross looked up from his desk. ‘They’ve got Craven, though. They’re bringing him in now.’ His phone rang. Ross picked it up.

‘It’s probably Maurice,’ Matthew said. ‘He’s desperate. He was phoning all afternoon when I was here.’

Ross spoke briefly, a few words of thanks, then replaced the receiver. Matthew could tell from the man’s face and from the overheard conversation that Maurice hadn’t been the caller, that this was important.

‘There’s been a 999 call,’ Ross said. ‘The woman who rang gave her name as Lucy. No other name and she rang off before the emergency