The Tyler house was two doors away from it. Bright red herringbone bricks were newly laid where a front garden had been. The fence was gone too.
They slowed.
Scott should have approached the house from this end c he would have come from the junction.
No one took any notice of the car crawling along the kerb. A woman pushed a pram, an old man drove along the pavement in an invalid buggy. Two dogs mated by the side of the road.
What kind of people? Serrailler asked.
Tylers? Hes a plumber, the wife works as a shrink-wrapper in the chicken factory. Decent sort. Kids seem fine.
How have they been?
Father doesnt say much but hes blaming himself for not fetching the boy by car.
Scotts parents?
On the verge of killing one another c but I think they always have been. His sister seems to carry the weight of the family on her shoulders.
And shes c
Thirteen going on thirty. Heres where Scott would have turned the corner c this road leads to his own house. Its in a small close a couple of hundred yards down, set off the main road.
No sighting of him along here?
No sighting, period.
Another bleak road, with the houses set behind fences or scruffy privet hedges. Three large blocks of flats. A disused Baptist chapel with wooden bars across the doors and windows. Traffic was steady but not heavy.
Its hard to believe nobody saw the boy.
Oh theyll have seen him c just didnt register.
It must have looked normal then, there cant have been any sort of struggle, just as there cant have been any when David Angus was taken. No one misses the sight of a child being forcibly dragged into a car.
Someone they both knew?
Both boys cant have known the same person, thats way off being likely. So, weve got two different kidnappers. Each one well enough known to the child to c Simon trailed off. They all knew it was not worth his finishing the sentence.
This is Richmond Grove. Its number 7 c bottom right.
The houses were crammed on to a skimpy plot. Simon could guess how much noise came through thin dividing walls, how small the area of garden at the back of each one.
Chapman turned off the car engine. Want to get out?
Serrailler nodded. Will you wait here?
He walked slowly round. The curtains of number 7 were drawn. There was no car, no sign of life. He looked at the house for a long time, trying to picture the gap-toothed boy coming out of the door, swimming bag over his shoulder, walking up towards the road c turning left c marching along, cheerful. He turned. A bus went past but there seemed to be no bus stop for some way ahead. Simon looked along the grey road. How far had Scott gone? Who had stopped beside him? What had they said that had persuaded the boy to go with them?
He made his way back to the car.
Give me an idea of the boy c Shy? Forward? Old or young for his age?
Cheeky. Teachers said that. But OK. They liked him. Not a problem. Lots of friends. Well liked. Bit of a ringleader. Football supporter, the local team. They call them the Haggies. Had their logo on his swim bag, all the strip.
The sort of kid who would chat to a stranger, maybe someone asking
you havent heard of the Sailmaker.
This is my first time up here.
I know, but the word about gay joints is out there on the grapevine.
He felt a shock run through him at what she had said, at her confident tone and the assumption behind it. The blood rose to his face.
But Marion Coopey laughed. Oh, come on, Simon, Im gay, so are you. So what? Thats why I thought we could enjoy an evening together. Problem?
Just your complete and total mistake. And I have to go and make some calls. He stood.
I dont believe this c how old-fashioned can you be? Its really OK now, you know. LEGPO and all.
DC Coopey c He saw her open her mouth to say Marion, but she checked herself at his tone c Im not going to discuss my private life with you, except to repeat that your assumption is wrong. I
His mobile rang in his jacket pocket. Jim Chapmans number was on the screen.
Jim? Good news?
From home. Stephanie had a girl at four oclock. All fine.
Thats excellent. Congra
The rest isnt good.
What?
Weve another.
Simon closed his eyes. Go on c
This afternoon. Girl aged six. Went to get an ice cream from a van c someone snatched her. Only this time, theres a witnesstime, place, car description
Car number?
Part c its more than weve ever had.
Where did this happen? He glanced at Marion Coopey. Her expression had changed.
Village called Gathering Bridge, up on the North York moors.
Can I be any use?
Wouldnt say no.
Simon put his phone away. Marion was standing.
Another child. Im going over to your HQ.
He walked across the room and she followed him quickly. At the door, she stopped him. Id better apologise, she said.
He was still angry but the job had taken over now and he merely shook his head. Its hardly important. He headed for his car, outstriding her.
Police HQ was buzzing. Simon made for the incident room.
The DCS has gone off to the scene, sir. He said to fill you in.