Free For the Sake of the Children: The first Chloe Webster thriller (Chloe Webster Thrillers Book 1) by Alex Highcliffe Page B

her wherever he was in the compact, cosy cottage.
    ‘Don’t be daft; you haven’t got a spare ounce on you.’ He appeared at the kitchen door. Come on, it was a real effort fetching these with this leg of mine playing up. And yes, before you say anything, I did call the doctor today. I’m seeing her next week.’
    ‘Good, glad to hear it. Right, you sit down and I’ll get some plates and a couple of drinks.’
    She had to admit that it was a good idea as she tucked into the meal. It was a treat for both of them as they hardly ever had takeaway food, and it was all the more tasty because of it.
    ‘Any better today?’ asked her father.
    ‘Worse,’ she sighed. ‘Don’t ask. It’s nothing to worry about.’
    But he did worry about her. They ate in silence for a minute or two before he spoke again.
    ‘You know you don’t have to stay there if you really don’t like it. The most important thing is that you’re happy. You can always find somewhere else, somewhere more like the old place.’
    ‘I know dad, but I can’t just jack it in after two days. Anyway, it’s not that bad. I’ve just got a few tricky matters to deal with and no doubt some misunderstandings along the way. Really, dad, I’m fine.’
    ‘Well if you say so.’ Her father knew to drop it then. His daughter had worked hard to get this far and her career was important to her. There was only so much he could say to influence her. ‘Any plans for tonight?’
    She grinned at him. ‘Actually I have. I’m going to the theatre.’
    ‘Oh yeah, anyone I know?’
    ‘No, just a friend from work. I won’t be late.’
    ‘You go and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it and you probably need it. Let your hair down a little.’
    ‘It’s just the theatre, dad.’
    ‘I know, but try to relax and enjoy it. It’s no good for you all this stress, even at your age.’
    ‘I’ll be fine. I’d better go and get ready. Thanks for the fish and chips.’
    Chloe skipped off upstairs and her father carried the plates over to the sink. He longed to see his daughter happy and the move she had made to this new firm worried him. It sounded to him like she was working with a bunch of arrogant, self-centred idiots. He wondered if all civilian jobs were like that. In the army he had worked with people who would probably give their own lives to save his, people with whom he had shared everything and anything; true comradery and he missed it. He placed the clean plates on the side board to dry, and then winced as the angry pain in his leg fired again.
    A car hooted outside.
    ‘Chloe love, is that for you?’ he called.

28                  
     
    Nathan sat in the police station interview room, head in hands. He felt helpless. Hollow. He’d left the park and searched the nearby roads and shops, calling his daughter’s name. After an hour or so a police car had pulled up and offered assistance. Someone must have called them. He collapsed into the car, relieved that help had arrived, but also distraught that he had to stop searching and accompany them to the police station. They assured him that they were doing everything they could to find Francesca, but isn’t that what they always said? He felt so useless sat here when he should be out looking.
    ‘Mr Whitehurst, can we just go through this one more time please?’ The officer spoke very good English, albeit with a heavy Dutch accent.
    ‘Yes, but why aren’t you out looking for her?’
    ‘We are, Mr Whitehurst, we are, but it is important that we know all the facts. I have officers searching the streets all around the area, but we need to know as much as possible about what happened and what you saw.’
    Nathan ran his hands over his face and back through his thinning hair. ‘She was playing on the slide, and then I got talking to this guy who wanted to know about hotels or something. I was sure I could see Francesca playing, but when I approached her it wasn’t her. And that’s when I