Page 9 of The Truth Will Out
Melinda thought about the question for a while, then shook her head. “Not that he told me.”
“What about the neighbours? Any issues there?”
“No, we’re quite friendly with all of them. Newcomers are arriving all the time, and sometimes it takes a while to get to know them, but I wouldn’t say any of them are nasty towards us. Far from it.”
“I have to ask, what about at the surgery? Had he fallen out with either his colleagues or any of his patients?”
Her head dipped, and she hitched up a shoulder. “I don’t really know; you’d have to ask them. Robert wasn’t really the type to bring his work home with him. He preferred not to discuss what kind of day he’d had, and I never pushed him on the subject either.”
“It’s the Hawsland Surgery, isn’t it?”
“That’s correct. Two other doctors work there.”
“We’ll pay them a visit. Are they aware that your husband had gone missing?”
“Yes, I rang them right away. They told me that my husband had visited an elderly patient on his way home. I’m assuming whoever abducted him forced him off the road after he left Mrs Evans’s house.”
“You gave us that information before. We’ve been reviewing thecameras in that area ever since but haven’t come up with anything as yet.”
“Where do we go from here? Can I see him, or is it too soon?”
“The post-mortem will take place over the next few days. I’ll pass on your details to the pathologist. He’ll be in touch when you can see your husband.”
“Thank you.” She plucked another tissue from the box and blew her nose. “What am I going to do without him? I left everything to him. He sorted out all the bills and was in charge of our finances. I don’t know how I’m going to cope now.”
“Is there a family member who can help you?”
“I have a sister living in Coventry. I hope this doesn’t come across as being unkind, but she’s worse than me when it comes to things like this. I remember when our parents died over ten years ago, she left everything to me. She struggled to handle the stress, so she’d be worse than useless if I rang and asked for help.”
“I can appoint a Family Liaison Officer, if that will help?”
“Would you? I’m just lost. I don’t know which way to turn for the best.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll help you get everything sorted. Is there anything else you can tell us before we leave?”
“No, I can’t think of anything.”
Sam and Bob stood.
“Stay there,” Sam said. “We’ll show ourselves out. I gave you a card the other day, didn’t I?”
“Yes, when I popped into the station to report Robert missing—that seems like an eternity ago. I’ve barely slept a wink since then.”
Sam patted Melinda’s forearm. “Hopefully that won’t be the case today. Be kind to yourself and rest when you can.”
“Thank you, Inspector, for everything, and most of all, for being kind to me.”
“You’re welcome. I’m always here if you need me. I’m going back to the station now. I’ll get the FLO organised as soon as I return. Someone will be in touch before the end of the day, I promise.”
Melinda nodded and leaned her head back in the chair. “Thank you again.”
Sam and Bob left her to it and returned to their cars.
“That went better than I thought it would,” Bob said.
“Still tough. Right, I’m going to shoot Tilly home before I go to the station. I’ll leave you to fill in the rest of the team. I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Take your time, bearing in mind that you’re supposed to be taking time off.”
