quite dense, and the search teams are very thorough.’ He turned to Joanna. ‘I know things have been fraught for you.’ He paused.
Joanna smiled weakly at the DCI, as if unsure just what mask she should wear for this particular scenario.
He continued. ‘However, we must draw on public support and use the media to our full advantage.’ He threaded his slim fingers and rested his hands on the table. His left eyebrow dropped, as he gave Joanna a stern stare. Jennifer recognised the look. It was the face he used when he gave people a bollocking. ‘Unfortunately this has not been the case to date. Your unannounced television interview has not helped the situation, much less the constant tweeting and use of social media as a vessel to promote your business.’ Nick groaned loudly and the DCI silenced him with a stare.
Jennifer swallowed as quietly as she could. The silence was stiff and awkward. But it all appeared lost on Joanna, who sipped her tea. She placed the cup back on the saucer and smiled politely at the DCI.
‘I didn’t realise there was a law against it.’
The DCI pulled a face as if someone chopped a lemon in half and shoved it in his mouth. He sucked in a sharp breath, his diplomacy exhausted. ‘Mrs Duncan, I am at a complete loss as to why you do not grasp the seriousness of this situation. Your daughter is missing, and despite a full operational search, she appears to have vanished without a trace. Public support is imperative at this time. If you are not careful they’ll turn on you, and make your life a living hell.’ DCI Anderson stared at her intently before continuing. ‘It’s very important we move fast on this, and engage assistance from all available outlets. I need you to attend a press appeal today. DC Knight will explain what is expected of you and will escort you to the venue. I expect you there in one hour. I’ll see myself out. DC Knight, may I have a word?’
‘Of course, sir,’ Jennifer nodded, sidling alongside Will as they left the room. Nick was shaking DCI Anderson by the hand, offering his thanks in hushed tones.
Jennifer took a deep breath as she got outside. Keeping her voice low, she gave Will’s arm a squeeze. ‘What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t due back for another couple of days.’
‘I’m not, but the DCI’s driver is out sick and I volunteered to cover. How are you getting on?’ He nodded towards the house. ‘She’s a bit of a cold fish, isn’t she?’
Jennifer took a step back and stared up at the bedroom window. It was empty. ‘Walls have ears,’ she whispered, feeling as if she was being watched. ‘Get in the car.’
Will took the driver’s seat as Jennifer slid in the back. It smelt of new car leather, and was a significant improvement on the vehicles she was allocated for work. ‘It’s all a bit weird,’ Jennifer said. ‘She’s acting like nothing’s happened, and he’s devastated. I just wish they’d find the poor little mite. Olivia’s floating about like a ghost but the only one keeping it together is Fiona, the hired help.’
Will chuckled softly and Jennifer gave him a quizzical look. ‘What are you laughing at?’ she said, wondering what was funny about such a grim situation.
‘You, the cleanliness queen, working out of that ramshackle farmhouse. I thought I’d find you at the sink, scrubbing your fingernails with a wire brush.’
‘Give me time,’ Jennifer said. She thought about it, and rephrased her response. ‘Actually, I’ve been OK. I haven’t had time to think about it.’ It was true. Since being accepted as part of Op Moonlight, some of her old anxieties were melting away.
‘I was expecting the Amityville house,’ Will said. ‘Zoe’s been working around the clock digging up its history.’ Operation Moonlight’s newest detective Zoe was a transferee who also happened to be a qualified exorcist. It was comforting to know her colleagues were approaching it from a different aspect, when
Joanna smiled weakly at the DCI, as if unsure just what mask she should wear for this particular scenario.
He continued. ‘However, we must draw on public support and use the media to our full advantage.’ He threaded his slim fingers and rested his hands on the table. His left eyebrow dropped, as he gave Joanna a stern stare. Jennifer recognised the look. It was the face he used when he gave people a bollocking. ‘Unfortunately this has not been the case to date. Your unannounced television interview has not helped the situation, much less the constant tweeting and use of social media as a vessel to promote your business.’ Nick groaned loudly and the DCI silenced him with a stare.
Jennifer swallowed as quietly as she could. The silence was stiff and awkward. But it all appeared lost on Joanna, who sipped her tea. She placed the cup back on the saucer and smiled politely at the DCI.
‘I didn’t realise there was a law against it.’
The DCI pulled a face as if someone chopped a lemon in half and shoved it in his mouth. He sucked in a sharp breath, his diplomacy exhausted. ‘Mrs Duncan, I am at a complete loss as to why you do not grasp the seriousness of this situation. Your daughter is missing, and despite a full operational search, she appears to have vanished without a trace. Public support is imperative at this time. If you are not careful they’ll turn on you, and make your life a living hell.’ DCI Anderson stared at her intently before continuing. ‘It’s very important we move fast on this, and engage assistance from all available outlets. I need you to attend a press appeal today. DC Knight will explain what is expected of you and will escort you to the venue. I expect you there in one hour. I’ll see myself out. DC Knight, may I have a word?’
‘Of course, sir,’ Jennifer nodded, sidling alongside Will as they left the room. Nick was shaking DCI Anderson by the hand, offering his thanks in hushed tones.
Jennifer took a deep breath as she got outside. Keeping her voice low, she gave Will’s arm a squeeze. ‘What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t due back for another couple of days.’
‘I’m not, but the DCI’s driver is out sick and I volunteered to cover. How are you getting on?’ He nodded towards the house. ‘She’s a bit of a cold fish, isn’t she?’
Jennifer took a step back and stared up at the bedroom window. It was empty. ‘Walls have ears,’ she whispered, feeling as if she was being watched. ‘Get in the car.’
Will took the driver’s seat as Jennifer slid in the back. It smelt of new car leather, and was a significant improvement on the vehicles she was allocated for work. ‘It’s all a bit weird,’ Jennifer said. ‘She’s acting like nothing’s happened, and he’s devastated. I just wish they’d find the poor little mite. Olivia’s floating about like a ghost but the only one keeping it together is Fiona, the hired help.’
Will chuckled softly and Jennifer gave him a quizzical look. ‘What are you laughing at?’ she said, wondering what was funny about such a grim situation.
‘You, the cleanliness queen, working out of that ramshackle farmhouse. I thought I’d find you at the sink, scrubbing your fingernails with a wire brush.’
‘Give me time,’ Jennifer said. She thought about it, and rephrased her response. ‘Actually, I’ve been OK. I haven’t had time to think about it.’ It was true. Since being accepted as part of Op Moonlight, some of her old anxieties were melting away.
‘I was expecting the Amityville house,’ Will said. ‘Zoe’s been working around the clock digging up its history.’ Operation Moonlight’s newest detective Zoe was a transferee who also happened to be a qualified exorcist. It was comforting to know her colleagues were approaching it from a different aspect, when
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