Lena called Harry Dunn to say she would not require him that morning but for him to come to the house after lunch. As with Agnes, the descriptions of her driver were vicious. Knowing that he had a police record for burglary, Amy had implied that her mother was foolish to even allow him to have access to the house. She described him as ‘rat-like’, his small hands and dainty feet as repellent, and also noted he smelt of some odious cologne that permeated the Lexus; again she wrote how stupid her mother was to trust him. She had described his clothes in detail, and knew that he purchased them from a second-hand charity shop in Knightsbridge, noting that his tailored suits and two-toned brogues had probably previously been worn by some dapper homosexual who had more than likely died of AIDS. Lena had still not really digested her daughter’s character studies of her household staff, or thought why she had compiled such vitriolic assessments; she had been too distressed at reading about herself and Marcus.
Now she looked out of the window and saw Marcus parking on the driveway, so she opened the front door and stood waiting for him.
‘We should drive to the station together.’
‘Fine, whatever you want, but I need to look at the journal.’
‘We don’t have time; it’s good to see you have at least made an effort.’
Marcus was wearing a Tom Ford navy pinstripe suit with an open-collared shirt and had put on socks, but she reprimanded him about being tie-less.
‘For chrissakes, does it matter?’
‘I think so, because we’re going to meet the press, but it’s too late now. I’ll get my coat and we can go straight away.’
Marcus was left standing by his Mini, the door wide open, the keys still in the ignition. Agnes appeared at the front door.
‘Good morning, Mr Fulford,’ she said and he gave her a brief nod.
‘I hope you get some good news.’
‘So do I, Agnes; it’s all very distressing, but we’re trying to remain positive.’
Lena walked past Agnes without a word, and joined Marcus; she glanced at his filthy car.
‘Don’t you ever have a valet service? It’s disgusting. We’ll go in the Lexus and you can drive.’
‘Fine,’ he said, slamming the Mini door shut as she passed him her car keys. Agnes remained where she was, watching as the Lexus reversed and drove out. Lena had virtually ignored her but that was nothing new, and without being asked she went into the kitchen and called Harry, suggesting he should come over and wash Mr Fulford’s car. He was not too pleased as he had been told he had the morning off, but he nevertheless agreed. Agnes returned to the Mini and opened it, taking the keys Marcus had left in the ignition and deciding she would ask Harry to clean the inside as well – he could drive it round to the garage so he could use the jet spray and vacuum the interior.
Marcus drove in silence as Lena sat beside him for the ten-minute drive. Lena was nervous, and was glad to have him beside her, slipping her hand through his arm as they walked the final few yards from the car, and he looked down and gave her a small glum smile. Together they entered the station where DC Barbara Burrows was waiting. She led them to the witness interview room, where they took their places on straight-backed chairs behind a Formica-topped table. After a few moments DI Reid walked in, carrying a thick folder, and drew up a chair to sit facing them.
‘Thank you for agreeing to come in, I really appreciate it. Obviously you would have contacted me if you had received any news of your daughter’s whereabouts, so it is imperative we set the wheels in motion to gain as much assistance from the press and public as possible. I need you to agree to what I can divulge to the journalists or let me know if anything feels inappropriate and you would prefer it not to be mentioned. That said, it is imperative we give them as much information as is possible to have a successful appeal that brings forward information to help find Amy.’
Marcus looked to Lena and then back to Reid. ‘I don’t think there is anything either my wife or I would not agree to being made public. We are obviously desperate to find Amy so we’ll give you whatever you need from us.’
Lena leaned forward. ‘What about our address – do you give our personal details, or just the area?’
‘We intend to be protective of your privacy, but that said, it could be discovered, and requesting assistance from the public can also encourage unwanted attention. However, if that happens I will endeavour to have uniform officers stand guard at your premises.’
Marcus glanced at Lena and she nodded her head in appreciation. Reid checked his wristwatch and opened the file, taking out a few pages, and clicked open a felt tip pen. He explained that he had brought in a team of officers to begin house-to-house enquiries, and that he would need access to both their homes. He wanted Amy’s bedrooms carefully searched and any items removed would of course be recorded for their information. He seemed pressed for time, skim-reading pages and making a few cryptic notes as he quickly covered the exact time Amy was last seen, and gave a brief outline of the statements so far gathered from the Newman family and the staff at Amy’s school.
‘Has Amy’s iPhone been found or traced yet?’ Marcus asked.
‘Not as yet. It’s still work in progress and we are monitoring it with the phone company. The battery may be flat, but if it is recharged and switched on we will be informed right away and will be able to locate its whereabouts,’ he said, collecting the pages and replacing them in the folder.
Reid found them both to be calm, and eager to be as helpful as possible, which he thought admirable in light of the emotional turmoil they must both be going through. He gave an encouraging smile.
‘Press appeals help us to gain the public’s assistance and more often than not allow us to locate missing persons. I am also hoping to get a slot on a new television crime programme, which would broaden the appeal and in turn increase public interest.’
‘Thank you, Inspector Reid,’ Lena replied.
He checked with Lena the description of the clothes worn by Amy, as described by the Newmans’ nanny: the maroon jumper with frilled cuffs, blue ballet pumps and black leggings. Lena did recall buying a cashmere top from Brora that fitted the description, and added she remembered it distinctly because she had purchased one for herself, which she agreed to give to Reid as it would assist the investigation.
Marcus and Lena remained silent as Reid replaced his chair, checked his watch again and then said DC Burrows would join them in about ten minutes and take them to the conference room. Left alone, they sat in silence until Marcus reached out and placed his hand over hers.
‘You okay?’
She nodded, and gripped his hand tightly.
‘Are you?’
‘No, but at least I feel as if things are being done, and maybe this press appeal will bring her home.’