Broken by Martina Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

sighed. ‘It’s the okey doke, ain’t it? More goes up his hooter than on a dental association outing. Makes him paranoid. He’s rowing with everyone, and let’s face it, Pat, Mr Amenable he never was. One awkward ponce is Partridge.’
    ‘Well, thanks for the SP.’
    The man shook hands with them and walked to his brand new Merc. They both watched him pull away.
    ‘That was a touch, Pat. He’s normally very tight-lipped, old Tom Ellis. Must have been well annoyed with Partridge to spill that little lot.’
    ‘He owes me a favour. His boy’s doing life for murder. I gave him an easy set in Durham. Single cell, et cetera.’
    Willy nodded. ‘Least he can do then really. Where to next?’
    ‘To be honest, Willy, I don’t have a clue,’ Patrick sighed.
     
    Christian ran into his mother’s arms and Kate was pleased to see there was a genuine closeness there. She was dreading the woman’s next question.
    ‘Where’s Ivor?’
    Caroline’s pretty face was expectant and Kate sat her down gently before explaining how Christian had been found, and that he was alone.
    ‘You’re telling me that my son was thrown into a bin van and my other son’s still on the missing list?’
    Kate could hear the rising hysteria in the woman’s voice.
    ‘So where the fuck is Ivor then? Who’s got my Ivor?’
    Kate shook her head sadly. ‘We don’t know. Until we heard from you, how were we to know that two children were missing? Also, three witnesses gave a description of a woman who could be you at the scene. So we have a dilemma on our hands. Do you understand what I’m telling you?’
    Caroline looked as if she had been punched in the solar plexus.
    ‘How come you didn’t notice you’d mislaid your children until nearly lunchtime today? Most kids are up and about by eight. And how come you don’t have any idea who could have taken them from under your nose? In short, if you tell us the truth about what happened, maybe, just maybe, we can try and locate Ivor for you. But without you telling us the full story, we can’t help you at all. A three-year-old child is wandering around out there somewhere and it’s imperative we find him before he harms himself. So, Caroline, let’s start at the beginning, shall we?’
    The other woman looked into Kate’s eyes and felt the tears welling.
    ‘You think a nutter has him, don’t you?’ Fear was all she felt and tasted. ‘Where is he? Where’s my little Ivor?’ she said frantically.
    ‘I was hoping you could answer that,’ Kate told her. ‘Listen, Caroline, you were placed there at the scene. We’re going to ask you to take part in an identity parade some time today. I suggest you get a solicitor and take advice.’
    Caroline’s eyes were terrified, giant orbs in a white face. ‘You think I have something to do with all this, don’t you?’
    Kate shrugged. ‘An ID parade could clear you, remember that. But as we have three witnesses who gave a description that sounded remarkably like you, we cannot rule you out of our investigation just yet. I feel, though, that there are a lot of unanswered questions here and only you can provide us with the necessary answers.’
    Caroline’s face changed. ‘My boys are my life, whatever anyone might think. I admit I do a few things wrong but I love them boys and I do what I do for them . You must believe me.’
    ‘I deal in facts. Plain and simple facts. The only ones I have now are that your children were taken from under your roof, one child was dumped in a bin van, the other is still missing. We need to find him. Fast.’
    As Kate watched the changing expressions on the girl’s face she wasn’t sure whether the mother was behind the children’s disappearance or not.
    Suddenly, Caroline leaped from her seat and roared at the top of her voice: ‘Where is my little boy? You’re the police. Fucking go and find him!’
    As she began screaming uncontrollably Kate bundled up the small boy who stood as if turned to stone by his