Deadly Lies

very kind,’ she said. ‘Only I don’t like to talk in front of Jack. You see, a few years ago there was a rather nasty case of embezzlement at Hardman Construction and I know he doesn’t like to be reminded of it.’
Well, thought Tom, the skeletons were coming out of the cupboard.
‘I see,’ he said.
‘Basically, Jack found out Ronnie’s senior accountant was cooking the books. Ronnie was devastated. He’d trusted Daniel Pearson for years. In fact, Pearson was a very early employee of Ronnie’s. Of course, Ronnie sacked Pearson though it left a nasty taste and a lot of bad feeling, as you can imagine.’
‘And it was Jack who was the whistle-blower,’ Tom said.
‘Yes.’
‘Did it go to court?’
‘Ronnie didn’t want to prosecute, though he could have. Daniel Pearson was sacked and he was discredited and my husband felt that was enough punishment. I heard Pearson had some bad luck and some health problems afterwards, though I don’t know the details.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Hardman. I’ll make sure we check it out.’
Joan rested her head back. ‘I’m sorry, I suddenly feel drained.’
‘No need to apologise. Why don’t I go and fetch a glass of water, then leave you in peace for a while?’
Tom’s mind was turning over the new information. On his way to the kitchen, Tom quickly sent a message to DCI Grant. The kitchen was at the end of the hallway and the house was quiet and Tom didn’t bother to announce his entry. As he walked in, he saw Natalie with her back against the counter and Jack pressed up close to her. And when they heard Tom the two of them sprang apart.
Tom stopped where he was, standing in the doorway.
‘It’s not what you think,’ Jack said.
Natalie left the kitchen without looking at Tom. He caught the citric scent of her perfume as she brushed past him and he stepped aside to let her through.
‘I’m not here to judge,’ Tom said. ‘Our job is to find your daughters and bring them home safely.’
Jack ran his hands through his hair. ‘Of course. I know that. It’s just… I don’t want you to…’
Misjudge him? Think badly of him?
‘Mention it to your wife?’
‘Something like that.’
It was a delicate situation. Tom knew their first priority was maintaining a good working relationship with the family. By leaving Tom and Ruby with the Glovers, the chief had given them that big responsibility. Tom didn’t intend to mess it up. However, if there was information which could help, it was also their job to uncover it. Tom took his time. He nodded slowly at Jack.
‘Then perhaps you could fill me in a little more, sir. To help me understand a bit better?’
‘Would you like a coffee?’
‘No thanks but a herbal tea would be nice, if you’ve got one.’
‘You’re in luck. That’s what Alice drinks.’
‘And I offered to bring your mother-in-law a glass of water…’
Jack nodded, took the water to the conservatory then returned, busying himself at the counter, turning on the coffee machine and taking cups out of the cupboard. When the noise of the machine had died down, he started talking.
‘Natalie’s husband, Sanjay, is filing for divorce. Their marriage has been on the rocks for a while. Natalie hoped they could salvage it and they’ve been seeing a counsellor only it doesn’t seem to have helped. Sanjay wants out.’
‘Right. And this is relevant because?’
‘Because Natalie is a friend and she’s upset about Sanjay. And I’m upset. And in a weak moment I cracked when I shouldn’t have done. She’s like a sister to me and I shouldn’t have taken advantage of her.’
What Tom had glimpsed wasn’t something you did with your sister.
‘You mean it hasn’t happened before today?’
‘Of course not, Natalie is our friend. What I was doing when you walked in was crazy. I’m in such a mess over Emily and Lisa. You don’t know what it’s like. And Ronnie too, I mean he’s dead for God’s sake.’
‘I know it’s hard.’
‘I can’t stand it! What’s happening? Why isn’t there any news?’
Tom took over the pouring of the hot water and the carrying of the drinks to the table because Jack didn’t seem capable of managing it.
‘Oh God, my children. You don’t know what it’s like.’
The man’s hands were shaking and Tom put his hand over Jack’s.
‘It’s torture. I think I’m going mad.’
‘Try to keep calm. If you need to speak to a counsellor, I can get that arranged.’
‘It’ll be getting dark and what will happen then? Lisa is frightened of the dark.’
Then Jack Glover broke down and cried.

11
The house was quiet. Natalie had gone home and Ruby sat with Tom in the kitchen. She could see he was disturbed by the incident between Jack and Natalie.
‘I passed on the information about Uncle Phil and his son, Harry, and about the embezzlement at Hardman Construction, and about Natalie and Jack,’ Tom said. ‘Grant told me to sit tight and get started on the search.’
Ruby had her characteristic small frown. ‘I’m ready when you are.’
Tom shook his head. ‘With his children abducted and his father-in-law passing away, Jack Glover decides to grope his wife’s best friend?’
‘It doesn’t say much for his character,’ Ruby said.
‘Human nature never ceases to be disappointing. That’s something I’ve learned on the job.’
‘Oh don’t worry, I knew that already.’
‘Er, yes I guess so, sorry I didn’t mean to be insensitive about your family and all. Anyway, what’s important is – does it have any bearing on the kidnap?’
Ruby looked out of the window. Though she was dying to take a look she hadn’t yet been through to the conservatory because she wasn’t here as a sightseer. She smiled at Tom. She hadn’t meant to sound know-it-all. Maybe she should let Tom know she was starting to feel positive about human nature and a lot of that was down to him because his friendship was something new and good in her life. The thing was, it would sound silly and unprofessional and she and Tom had work to do. They should