Abattoir Blues by Peter Robinson Read Free Book Online

him since yesterday morning. I’m starting to get worried.’
    ‘He does live here, though, doesn’t he?’
    Alex smiled. It was a radiant smile, Annie thought. ‘Yes. I know you all probably think I’m a cradle-snatcher, got myself a toyboy. Don’t think I haven’t heard it all. But . . . it’s hard to explain . . . we’re . . . well, you know, it’s the real thing.’ She blushed a light pink and made a self-mocking expression. ‘True love.’
    ‘None of my business,’ said Annie.
    ‘I just wanted you to know. That’s all. And he’s really great with Ian. The two of them just get along so well.’
    ‘Where do you think Michael might be?’
    ‘Well, he said he was going to meet someone about a job, and after that he might go and drop in on his dad later. They aren’t on the best of terms, and it worried Michael. He knew he’d upset his father and let him down, especially after his mum left. He acted up, stole a car and all. I’m sure you know all about that, being police. They had a serious falling-out. They got over it to some extent, but things are still . . . well, difficult. I think it’s partly my fault, you know, being older, having a child. His father doesn’t approve.’
    ‘Did he say where he was going on this job?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Was that unusual?’
    ‘No, not really. He doesn’t always give a full account of his comings and goings. I don’t expect him to. I find that sort of thing can stifle a relationship, don’t you?’
    Chance would be a fine thing, thought Annie. ‘And he said after that he might drop in on his father, even though they were on bad terms?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Has he done this before? Stopped out all night?’
    ‘No. Not like this. I mean, once or twice he’s stopped over at his father’s, if they’ve had a few drinks, like, and got to talking, or if it’s really late. But he always phones or texts.’
    ‘Not this time?’
    ‘No, nothing. I’ve tried ringing him, and texting, but I got no response.’
    ‘No need to worry,’ Annie said. ‘His mobile’s probably run out of power.’
    ‘It’s always doing that. Like his camera. He’s not very good with keeping his stuff charged.’
    ‘Which mobile provider does he use?’
    ‘Virgin pay as you go.’
    ‘Did you phone the farm? I noticed Mr Lane has a landline when we were there earlier.’
    Alex glanced away. ‘Yes. His father just grunted, like, said he hadn’t seen him. Then he hung up.’
    ‘You said that Mick Lane and his father still have a problematic relationship.’
    ‘Michael. Yes.’ Alex paused. ‘I can see you’re both a bit confused. I think I know what you’re thinking. I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re police, and you have a very narrow way of seeing things. You saw that Michael was on probation, that he did community service for the stolen car, and then you found out he was living with me, an older woman in a council flat, with an illegitimate child and a conviction for shoplifting. Well, you put two and two together and make . . . I don’t know what. Bonnie and Clyde, maybe? It’s only natural. I don’t blame you. Michael’s dad’s the same. But it’s not like that at all. I don’t deny I’ve done some bad things, and I got caught. I don’t know how I sank so low, but I did. I’ve had to face up to that. But people can change.’
    ‘What happened?’
    ‘Ian’s father walked out on me when Ian was little. I was flat broke. Lenny took everything, even emptied Ian’s piggy bank, the miserable bastard. We were hungry. They were taking ages to process my benefits. So I went to the Asda in the shopping centre and started filling up my pockets. It was either that or sell my body, and I hadn’t sunk that low, though don’t think I hadn’t received a few offers from people who should have known better. You soon find out who your friends are when you reach rock bottom. I thought I was being careful, you know, but they had CCTV, store detectives, the