Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
NICK
Detective Wright peppered me with questions about my family history and everything we’d experienced with Chloe the previous couple of days, including what she’d said about Austin. He made few comments on my answers, just asked more questions.
When we finally pulled into the visitor’s car park outside the townhouse, I noted Belinda’s Honda in the carport, but no sign of Austin’s Mercedes. Checking behind, I saw no sign of Mads, who was likely parking on the road and following on foot.
I was about to open the car door when Wright’s phone rang.
He pulled it from his pocket, and after a moment’s hesitation, I decided to stay where I was and see if I could learn anything from the one-sided conversation.
When Wright looked over his shoulder and saw me still sitting there, I figured he would oust me for sure.
So, I was surprised when all he did was roll his eyes and turn away.
The constable shot me an irritated glare but said nothing—a definite win in my books.
“You checked them all?” Wright spoke to the caller while taking notes.
“Which gate?” More scribbling. “How far in?” He paused.
“Hmmm. Check with Nelson and see if they can send any more dogs our way.” He listened for a moment, then said, “Keep me in the loop.” He ended the call and got out of the car without further clarification.
I opened the door to follow, but Mads pulled me aside.
“Jacko’s waiting on one last report before he tells us what he’s learned.
” Mads glanced toward the townhouse. “But I did speak to Samuel. He says there’s nothing on Austin.
No charges, no criminal history, not even a mention of his name in the database associated with anything more nefarious than traffic tickets. ”
“Shit.” I couldn’t hide my disappointment.
Mads sympathised. “I know. But Samuel did discover something interesting. Austin isn’t the new head of the music department at all. He’s still a teacher, nothing more.”
I smacked my palm against my temple. “Jesus, we didn’t even check. So he lied about that much, at least.”
Mads shrugged. “Or maybe he just wanted to impress. Chloe said he had a chip on his shoulder, right? Always wanting to be the big man. Either way, it makes it even less likely that he has the means to cover the lifestyle he’s leading with that house and car.”
I considered that. “But there’s Belinda’s income as well. Maybe they share costs.”
Mads pursed his lips. “A part-time nurse’s salary? I’m not saying it wouldn’t help, but unless she brought other money into the relationship, which we can’t be sure she didn’t, I’m still not seeing it.”
I blew a disappointed sigh. “And Samuel’s sure there’s nothing on Austin?”
Mads didn’t bother answering. We both knew my brother-in-law was good at his job.
If Samuel said there was nothing to find, there was nothing to find.
I’d been so sure Austin’s attitude would’ve gotten him into trouble at some point, but either we were barking up the wrong tree simply because I didn’t like the guy, or he was cleverer than we thought.
Either way, it didn’t help our case with Wright that Austin was apparently squeaky clean.
“We need to focus on the money side of things. It’s what you’re good at, remember?
” Mads dipped low to catch my eye. “That money didn’t just walk out of her accounts, and I can’t see Chloe agreeing to pay Austin’s mortgage and shit.
It stinks, Nick. We might not have proof yet, but don’t ignore your instincts.
Someone raised those credit card limits.
Someone made two cash withdrawals and is paying his utilities and mortgage off with Chloe’s money.
Just because Austin hasn’t been in trouble before doesn’t mean to say he isn’t now.
We need to see what he says when he’s confronted with it.
He has no idea we know anything about it, right? ”
His words struck home and I shot him a smile, feeling a whole lot better. This shit was my wheelhouse, like Mads said. Money trails were my kryptonite. “Thanks.” I pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
Mads turned a pretty shade of crimson before quickly checking no one was looking. But they were. Both Wright and his lackey were watching us from the path. Wright waved us over.
Mads groaned. “You little shit.”
I kissed him again. “At your service.”
“Come on.” Jonothon motioned us over a second time. “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to see that scrapbook sometime this year.”
I took Mads’ hand and headed for the townhouse. We’d made it halfway up the path when Austin stormed out the front door with Belinda following. She held a thick wad of tissues balled in one hand, her eyes red-rimmed and angry.
“What the hell are they doing here?” Spittle flew from Austin’s mouth as he barrelled our way.
“Austin, don’t.” Belinda tugged on his arm, but Austin wasn’t listening.
“Where is she?” Austin’s voice rose. “What have you done with her?”
Detective Wright intercepted the man, both hands raised. “That’ll be enough, Austin.” He took hold of the other man’s shoulders. “I asked Nick and Madigan to help with the search.”
“You . . . you asked them? Why would you do that?” Austin blustered.
Wright dropped his hands and took a step back, his attention laser-focused on Austin’s face.
“Nick tells us that he’s, in fact, Chloe’s son, and technically that makes him her next of kin.
We haven’t found anything to suggest he was involved in Chloe’s disappearance and he’s keen to help however he can. ”
Austin’s eyes sprang wide. “He told you . . . what?” His shocked gaze jerked to mine. “You? Chloe’s son?” He grunted in incredulity. “Like hell you are. This is all just part of your plan to get close to her. It’s not possible. Chloe would’ve said something. My father would have told me.”
Austin’s shock appeared authentic, horror and disdain written all over his face.
If I wasn’t ninety-nine percent sure he’d stolen Chloe’s letter from the cottage the night before and therefore had to know who I was, I might’ve believed him too.
It was another lie and another performance.
I thought again about raising the missing letter but bit my tongue.
If Austin had any brains, he’d have destroyed or hidden it, leaving me looking like some conspiracy nutcase.
Instead, I said, “Your father did know. It was only you who didn’t. Take from that what you will.”
Austin’s furious gaze burned into mine and something akin to hatred bubbled in those depths.
It offered a chilling peek into the man’s heart, an inkling of what he might be capable of.
But I’d caught a glimpse of something else as well, only for a second, but I was sure I’d seen it.
A kernel of fear beneath all that bluster and bravado, and my predator instinct kicked in.
I was poised to get up all in his face and demand he tell us about the accounts when Detective Wright’s arm flew sideways to hold me back at the same time Mads’ hand found the small of my back.
Wright said, “Leave this to me.”
Mads whispered, “Settle down, Rambo. Let’s see how this plays out.”
I took a deep breath and got myself back under control, but before Detective Wright could take the conversation further, Belinda stepped forward.
“Have you heard anything yet? Why haven’t they found her?” Tears spilled from Belinda’s eyes. “They have to find her. She won’t survive in this weather without shelter, especially not if she overdosed.”
“Overdosed?” Mads demanded, beating me to it. “What do you mean overdosed? On what?”
It was Wright who answered. “Belinda found an open bottle of Valium on the kitchen countertop with the rest of Chloe’s pills. We don’t know how many she took, if any, but there were only a few left in the bottle.”
“Valium?” It was my turn to demand some answers. “What the hell is she taking Valium for?” I spun to Wright. “Why didn’t you say anything?” When he said nothing, I realised it was likely because we were still potential suspects in his view.
“There was no Valium on the countertop yesterday when I made us tea,” Mads said pointedly.
Austin cut him an irritated glare. “They were my dad’s prescription,” he snapped before glancing at Wright and softening his tone with him. “I thought I’d got rid of everything when Dad died. I checked. I swear. If I’d known . . .” He trailed off, looking miserable.
Belinda reached for his hand. “Don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault. I didn’t know she had them either. Besides, it’s done now.”
Detective Wright looked between them. “We have every available unit working on this. The entire length of Riverside Park is being searched with more dogs coming from Nelson. We’ve got people doorknocking and checking any security cameras in the vicinity.
But if she walked to the far side of the road next to the park where there are no houses, she’d easily be missed. ”
Belinda swallowed hard and Austin’s arm slid around her shoulders as he reassured her. “We’ll find her. You’ll see.”
Wright caught my eye. “They did find a cardigan close to the path leading from the car park to the river walk just down the road.” He pulled out his phone and showed them a photo of a blue-and-green cardigan. “Is this Chloe’s?”
Austin frowned. “I . . . I’m not—”
“It’s hers.” Belinda said with certainty, her teary gaze turning to Austin. “We bought it for her as a gift last Christmas, remember?”
Austin shrugged. “You know how bad I am at that stuff.”
Belinda stared at the photo on the detective’s phone. “But if she went that way, the river walk goes for miles in both directions with tons of entrances and exits.” She looked up at Wright. “She could be anywhere.”
He nodded. “It does make things more complicated, yes. But it’s better than no sign of her at all.”