Born To Fly - Part 27
"Did one of you call the police?" A hint of anger laced Christine's austere manner as she addressed the colleagues lined up in her confined office, fingertips drumming against the periled note on her desk. Her dark orbs briefly scanned the three adults in front of her but locked on the one female she believed culpable. Lorraine.
Tom and Hector exchanged corresponding looks before their eyes also focused simultaneously on the blonde benefactress. They mutedly shared the headmistress's principles. The multi-millionaire nodded confidently, arms folded across her petite frame as she remained adamant that she was not in the wrong.
"Well how else are we going to find her if we didn't notify the police? Those guys are trained in dealing with situations just like this, it's what they do everyday! We can't just stand back and rely on pure hope. Somebody had to take appropriate action. And I did."
The female's teeth were clenched, jaw pulsating pungently, as she hissed ominously "But I specifically instructed you not to. Didn't you listen! If anything happens to her, Lorraine, if anything happens to either of them..."
She was unable to complete her sentence when the office door opened abruptly.
"We're looking for a Mrs Christine Boston. I'm DS Skyes and this is my colleague DS Knight." A duo of cops entered the headteacher's office, perceptibly displaying their police badges and identification cards. "We need to speak to you in private regarding the disappearance of Mrs Nicola Boston. Is now convenient? We understand you are incredibly busy but this is important and really cannot wait."
Christine pushed her swivel chair back from her desk and regained her equilibrium swiftly, "That would be me." She confirmed as she acknowledged the officers before diverting her gaze back to her staff, "I'll catch up with you later." The door closed quietly as the adults departed.
"Can I get you a tea or coffee? Or perhaps a hot chocolate or glass of water?"
"No, thank you." The female officer shook her head politely and implored for Christine to sit down, "Let's get straight to the point and talk. Time can be of the essence in these cases." She gestured to the sofa as she pulled two chairs from the rounded table opposite. "When was the last time you physically saw Mrs Boston?"
The blonde fiddled with her fingers apprehensively, these unofficial interviews were always depressing. She lacked enthusiasm to disclose too much information incase the threat was true. Her natural instincts were to protect her wife and baby to the best of her ability. "Yesterday. Mid to late morning. Just before eleven, I guess. She was just outside my office but she hurried off in a bit of a state."
The other detective scribbled into a notepad, writing all the evidence collected.
"And when was the last time you had any contact with Nicola? In any form; whether the last time you spoke to her was in person, over the phone, email text message..."
She dipped her head momentarily, tongue running roughly over her dry lips, "I got a phone call this morning from her mobile. The line was really crackly and poor, though. I couldn't hear much. But I'm sure I heard a muffled help, but a loud noise followed and the line went dead." Reluctantly, she described the phone call she had received earlier and handed the sheet of paper that had been shoved through her door that morning over.
The cop's expression was solemn as she clasped her radio in her hand and spoke into the device, "This is DS Skyes. I want Nicola Boston's mobile phone calls traced immediately. Get a location for the call this morning and I want a team over to that location ASAP. This could be the new lead we are looking for. Thanks." She tuned out and diverted her attention back to her interviewee, "That information could be imperative, thank you."
More questions followed. The police attempting to fuse together a bigger picture of the situation with what restricted resources they had. What attire the woman had sported when she disappeared. They desired to establish possible suspects who could be responsible. An update on what they had already unmasked; the brunette had been transferred to a different location. They had traced the black saloon car that had abducted her, following CCTV footage to a derelict building. By the time a unit had made it there, they had gone.
"Just one more thing," Christine's thick Scottish accent trembled as the detectives paused, "By you getting involved, nothing is going to happen to Nikki is it? It's just...the note said no police or she would get hurt. And she's pregnant, I'd hate for anything to happen to either of them."
"We're always cautious in these situations. We will do everything to ensure the safety of Mrs Boston, and her baby." The cop nodded before they left, promising to phone if they discovered anything new.
The cacophony of Christine's ringtone reverberated the ambience, shattering the tranquil silence that drifted through her office. It was a local number, though one she did not recognise. Squinting, she accepted the call and placed the phone to her ear, "Christine Boston speaking."
And suddenly the blonde was on her feet, nearly tumbling in her hurry as she grasped her handbag and rummaged for her keys. Racing out of her office, she was grateful to collide with Tom, Lorraine and Hector. Well, perhaps not Lorraine and Hector. But Tom, yes.
"The police think they have found the place where Nikki is currently being held hostage." A mixture of anxiety and ecstasy wavered her voice. She was thrilled that they had almost located her wife. Yet she feared in case something was wrong. Things had a habit of not being simple for the duo.
"They think it might be better if she sees some familiar faces. No one really knows what to expect." The words continued to ramble out of her lips, "Tom, will you come with me?"
"Sure." Together they both departed the building and hopped into Christine's car. Neither realised that Hector and Lorraine were also following on the back of the PE teacher's motorcycle.