Chapter 28

There Will Be Changes

0100 – London, UK

Reginald saw the last officer to the door but was hesitant to step out when he saw that the ground and cars were wet from a recent downpour.

"Careful there on the steps," he said.

"Not to worry. Appears to have stopped," the officer said looking up into the dark sky.

"Ah yes. Right you are."

"Wait! Wait!! I talked to her!" Debbie yelled rushing towards them.

Reginald scowled, "What?!"

Frantically nodding Debbie said, "she has Elvis' phone. I called her. She was at an Underground Station and coming home…I told her I would pick her up…..but….the phone went dead."

Reginald tsk'd and pinched the bridge of his nose. "And you have no idea where she is."

Debbie looked like she was on the verge of crumbling. The officer came back inside and said,

"What's the number?"

Trembling, Debbie told him.

"She has his phone?" Reginald said.

Debbie ignored that.

"We can attempt to locate with a tracking app," the officer said. He pulled away and proceeded to relay the update over comms to his superiors.

Reginald leaned towards Debbie's ear. "Certain she did not hang up on you?"

Her eyes should have been the initial warning to him. The wide, grief-stricken terror in them.

"Shut….the fuck up Reginald!" she screamed.

The officer turned completely around to witness the exchange.

"Debra!" Reginald scolded.

"Do not Debra me!" she spat back. "Go pour yourself another drink. If there is anything left!!

And leave me alone!"

Reginald, embarrassed to his core, reached out and grabbed hold of her upper arm. "Stop it!" he hissed through gritted teeth, failing to be discreet. She looked at his hand as if it was diseased and began to pry his fingers away.

"You are the primary reason why Laura left, and mark my words, that is going to change or I am certain my father will suggest a good divorce solicitor."

Reginald's fingers curled into a fist. The upward tilt of his chin made her think he was preparing to strike her.

"Go on," she coaxed. "This time I will have a witness."

His intention, and the sight of her mascara-streaked face meant nothing to him. But, knowing the police officer was mere meters away did. Reginald rolled his head slowly for a side long glance at the man. Sure enough, he was taking it all in, so Reginald forced himself to relax and tugged at his suit jacket to perfect his appearance. Although he wanted to wipe the smirk from Debbie's face, he instead said,

"Darling. Please. I know you are upset. Of course you are. Let us see what the officer can do to help locate Laura."

Debbie felt the bile rise in the back of her throat. Bastard, she thought. Turning her husband off like a light switch she focused on the only other person in the room who genuinely seemed to care.

Xxxxx

0200 – Hereford, UK

The 2 AM chime tolled in the hall echoing into the lounge. Georgie wondered if she had slept at all, even for a microsecond. Toni had gone to bed, or at least was upstairs. Daniel's room monitor was quiet. She was quite alone physically and with her thoughts. Laura had not answered. The call went straight to voice mail. Was she home?

Georgie debated with herself if it was appropriate to call Debbie and find out. She laughed at herself. Nothing was appropriate at this point. Her own child was safe. She shuddered to think about how Debbie must be feeling and prayed Laura was out of harm's way.

That left Elvis. She should be used to her husband being absent. Separation was all too common for their relationship, except that marriage and career alterations made it much more bearable. She sat up when an idea caused a cold chill to run through her. What if she tried to contact Elvis? Perhaps just text Dave and see if he responds. Could she possibly then talk to Elvis?

News reports were dead. The public was completely shielded from what was actually going on in London. In three and one-half hours she would be expected to start another day. Take Daniel to Iris' and report to base as if her whole world had not turned inside out. Trainees were counting on her being in top form. But the hard shell exterior of Georgie Lane Harte was cracking. Being a wife and mother softened her armor. Her small family meant everything to her.

Xxxxx

0300 – London, UK

Walking the long corridors of Whitehall Elvis was flooded with memories of his years with the military. Despite his my way mentality, he rather enjoyed the rigorous lifestyle. He was alone on this journey down the silent halls with only the sound of his booted footfalls to reveal his presence. Warner and Speers had departed for MI5 Headquarters to wrap the final stages of today's investigation.

Elvis sported a subtle grin when he saw Spanner and Jackson at the lift. Both were casually leaning against the wall, but pushed away when they saw their captain approaching.

"Relax fellas," Elvis said, "day is done."

"More like morning has broken wouldn't ya say boss?" Spanner said.

"What the fuck time is it anyway?" Elvis said swinging his arm up to check for himself.

"What took so long?" Jackson said.

Elvis punched the lift button. "Some newly minted lieutenant colonel trying to make a name for himself. And, I guarantee he never once got his kit dirty."

Jackson and Spanner laughed.

"There's always one in the bunch," Elvis said as the door slid open. All three laughed then and one by one stepped into the lift.

"Here," Spanner said waving a mobile at Elvis.

"Wha's this?"

"Orders from Toni. You best call Georgie."

"Orders?" Elvis said with a raised brow. "It's 0300 hours."

"All the more reason," Spanner said.

Elvis gave him a look. "What do you know?"

"Nothing. Toni texted and said to have you call Georgie ASAP."

The captain glanced from Spanner to Jackson. "Alright."

The lift bell dinged when the car landed on the ground floor. As soon as the door opened Spanner and Jackson got out. Elvis moved slower, thumbing Georgie's number. He made a point of watching his team's reaction. Something felt off. The phone rang three times.

"Yeah, hello?"

That voice. The one he coveted the most.

"Georgie," he said, not even able to imagine what this was all about.

"I'm glad you were able to call. Are ya done?" she said, sounding sleepy. He regretted waking her.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm leavin Whitehall now. Why did ya want me to call? Is everything OK?"

The pause sent him on high alert.

"Georgieeee…"

"There's a problem Elvis," she said, fully awake now and prepping for his reaction. "Laura is missing," There, she said it, and her heart began to pound.

"Missing?! Missing?!" What the fuck does 'at mean?!"

Spanner and Jackson turned around simultaneously to look at Elvis and froze.

"She ran away and Debbie couldn't find her. The police are involved and…."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…she ran away?" When? Why?" Elvis barked the words out.

"She was worried about you and wanted to find you," Georgie said rubbing her forehead, knowing there was no explanation that would satisfy Elvis right now.

"Deb didn't try to stop her?!"

"Yes she tried to stop her! She's beside herself Elvis!"

He paced forwards and backwards, each step gearing up for his flight from Whitehall.

"Ya said Metro is involved?"

"Yes. They were with Debbie and Reginald."

"Yeah, I fuckin doubt he pounded the streets lookin for her," Elvis said with an angry, mocking laugh.

Georgie bit her lip. Now was not the time to delve into Reginald's complicity. "Elvis, babe, I know you're worried, but please, they will find her. I spoke to her earlier and she was on her way home."

"Anyone get in touch and say she made it home?" he said. Elvis felt like every nerve ending in his body was ready to explode.

"No. I'm sorry. Elvis they will find her." Georgie bunched up her top and squeezed it against her chest, wishing she could give her husband a much needed hug instead.,

"The thing is George. I ain't waitin. I'm gonna find her."

Jackson and Spanner stood by waiting for Elvis' next move.

"Let the police do their job. You can't interfere," she said.

"I won't get in their way and they won't be able to get in mine."

"Elvis….."

"Ya said police were at Deb's…"

"I did, yeah."

"Then I just need a little intel."

"Meaning?" Georgie said knowing this was going down some deep dark hole fast.

"Gonna pay Deb and Reggie a visit."

Georgie closed her eyes, and suddenly felt light-headed. Should she warn Debbie?