Nick sat on the sofa opposite Harry, ready with a pen and pad. "Let's go through this carefully from the beginning." Harry looked nervous, and Nick gave him a reassuring smile. "You're not in trouble, Harry. Relax. Now then, when did you last see Derek?"
Harry seemed to relax a little and crouched forward. "Yesterday afternoon. I were making him lunch."
"And what time was that?"
"Two. I remember cause I could `ere me mam's voice nagging at me that it were too late for lunch like."
Nick huffed a laugh. "So, to your knowledge, your brother was…?"
"In the garden. I called him in but when I got no reply I went to see, and he were gone. Gate open and everything."
Nick stood up and jolted a thumb toward the back. "Can I take a look?" Harry stared at Nick questioningly. "It's alright. There's just things I wanna rule out, Harry."
Harry led Nick into the yard and watched the constable regard the area carefully before looking at the gate. Nick checked the gate thoroughly, ruling out any suspicious activity. "Well, the gate seems intact." Nick turned to the boy. "Do you keep this locked at all times?"
Harry shrugged. "Only opens when we take rubbish out."
Nick regarded the gate thoughtfully. There was a bolt across the top but a key lock to keep it in place. "So, from the looks of this, it wouldn't have been easy for your brother to get out this way." Nick turned to Harry grimly. "Unless, of course, it wasn't relocked. Now, the bins would have been collected yesterday morning, which means someone took out the bins the night before. Was that someone you?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Me mam left that mornin'."
Nick sighed. "Harry, are you absolutely sure you locked the gate?" Nick watched the boy's crestfallen expression.
Harry grasped behind his head. "Oh no. I left the gate open! Must have done. I were worried about bein' out of t'house too long at night wi' me brother on his own."
Nick raised his hands in a calm gesture. "Calm down. It can happen. Your mum left you with a big responsibility, and I'm sure you just wanted to do your best."
Harry shook his head and kicked a garden chair over. "I shoulda checked, Mr Rowan! It's all my fault!"
Nick grabbed the boy's shoulder and turned him. "Getting angry like this isn't going to help. Let me finish my enquiries here, and then I'll get onto having an official search team in place, alright?" Harry nodded quietly and hastily wiped away a few stray tears. Nick smiled at the boy's attempt to give him the tough act and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Good lad."
The two returned to the sitting room after Nick made sure the gate was now secure. "Let's say your brother has been missing since you called him in for lunch at two. Does your mum let him play out at all under careful watch, maybe out the front there?"
Harry hunched his shoulders. "Sometimes. But he wander a lot like. Always likes ter think he's exploring, so me mam warned me to keep an eye."
Nick nodded. "Has your brother ever been missing before like this?"
Harry shook his head. "Not for more than an hour or so. Then I av him for two days and look what `appens!"
Nick sighed. "I need you to stay calm, Harry. Need you to think for me. Is there any places you can think of that Derek might go? Does he have any close friends?"
Harry huffed. "I checked, din't I. None have seen him."
Nick wrote something on his pad. "And what about the places?"
Harry flapped his arms. "He could be anywhere, Mr Rowan. Derek is always pretending to be summat and such. Guess you can safely say he's nuts for Halloween." Nick smiled slightly in amusement. "More recently, he were a farmer."
Nick looked up from his pad. "That'll be a good start. Suppose he's playing about in someone's barn, got distracted and made himself comfortable. What'd you reckon?"
Harry's face brightened. "Aye! Shall I come too?"
Nick shook his head. "No, you stay here in case he makes his way back. I'll get onto my colleagues at the station to organise a search now that we have a good enough lead." Nick returned the pad to his inside pocket. "It would help if you had a recent picture available."
Harry quickly turned to the wooden mantel and sifted through the drawer, pulling out a photo and handing it to Nick. "It were a spare from his school picture."
"That's perfect." Nick placed the photo in his front pocket. "I'll get on to making a few copies to show around the farms."
…
Nick stepped into the council building, and a woman on the reception desk looked up as he removed his helmet. She smiled at Nick when he approached. "What can I do for you, Constable?"
"I was wondering if I can speak to someone in charge of the demolition of The Millars estate."
"No appointment?"
"No, it's an urgent matter."
The woman checked some papers and looked back with recognition. "Ah, you must be the constable they requested to be present at the time of the demolition."
Nick nodded. "That's right."
"Does this urgent matter concern this?"
Nick tilted his head. "In a way. I just need to talk to someone for a few minutes."
The woman gave him a stern glance and sighed. "Alright, I'll see what I can do, Mr…?"
"Oh, PC Rowan."
"Right." She stood up from her chair and disappeared into the back.
"Thank you," Nick called out in slight amusement, thinking how he wouldn't want to cross her wrong side.
….
Nick left the building in frustration; so much for that. He'd asked the council to suspend the demolition to give him more time on the search, but they refused to budge. The sooner, the better, apparently. Nick had until two in the afternoon tomorrow to find Derek; he could continue the search after, but a delay in the search was a delay in their leads if they were as close to finding Derek as Nick thought.
Blaketon had sent Phil and Alf to start searching the farms near Harry's house, while Nick began a wider search in Ashfordly; although it was a long shot, in his opinion, and at least he wouldn't have to deal with an awkward encounter with Betty Such.
"I dare say there seems to be a never-ending spout of missing persons among Aidensfield, PC Rowan," Ashfordly spoke with an accusing tone, though Nick was sure he tried to hide that fact.
Nick walked beside Ashfordly calmly as they trekked across the estate grounds. "It happens, sir, and if you don't mind me saying so, the police can't be blamed whenever a child goes missing, but we do everything we can to help when they do."
Ashfordly scoffed lightly but nodded. "Rightly so, and as I understand it, your reputation as a good constable goes around a lot these days, excluding the odd menacing family or two."
Nick nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, sir."
Ashfordly looked ahead over the land, gazing at the well-kept farms in the distance. "Of course, I would hate to have to do your job for you PC Rowan, but if you wish to conduct a search across my land, I'd be happy to grant it."
"Thank you." Nick refused to mention that he would have carried out the search with or without Lord Ashfordly's approval. He assumed the man had no say when it came to police matters, but unfortunately, they couldn't afford to upset such a well-regarded man. Nick didn't give one damn bit but held his tongue on account of his sergeant.
As Nick thought, the search turned up empty with no signs that Derek had been to any of the farms, and he made his way back to Aidensfield in hopes that Alf and Phil had better luck.
Nick stopped halfway down the Moors when someone called on his radio. "Delta-Alfa two-four receiving, go ahead Alf."
"Any luck, Nick?"
"Nothing, Alf."
"We checked a few barns and found a scarf, might belong to the boy, and there were a sweet wrapper or two."
Nick smiled. "Well, that's something. Tells us that Derek isn't in trouble somewhere."
"Happen he's moved on now anyroad."
Nick chuckled. "That means he's got bored of pretending to be a farmer." He then sighed. "Which means our best lead is useless now. We're back to square one."
….
"He never said that to you," Alf stated in mock surprise as he took a swig from his pint, looking at Nick in disbelief. Nick, Phil, and Alf were sitting around a table, trying to share a quiet drink before heading home for the night.
Nick chuckled and sipped his drink. "I was as surprised as you. I didn't think Lord Ashfordly liked anyone really."
Phil shook his head. "Typical, innit. We've been sucking it up to that snooty rich lord for how long? Nick here comes along and suddenly becomes everyone's favourite bobby."
Nick rolled his eyes, knowing Phil didn't mean anything by his words. "What can I say, maybe it's my charm," he joked, gulping his drink to half. "Anyway, I'm gonna call in with Harry tomorrow first thing to see if I can get anymore information on Derek's whereabouts."
Phil sighed. "A kid wi' that sorta imagination could be anywhere."
They soon heard the bell ring, and George shouted out that it was closing time. The three stuck around a few more minutes to ensure all the customers left before saying goodnight.
Gina rounded up the glasses before informing George she would go and change the bed sheets of the recently vacated room. Gina walked into the open room, and a gasp escaped her when she switched on the light.
….
Nick pulled into the police house and cut the engine on his MG, and before he even exited the car, Kate came running out to him wearing her coat and holding her doctor's bag. "What's up?"
"I just had Gina on the phone, she asked if you could go back to the Aidensfield arms."
Nick sighed and inclined his head. "You're joking."
Kate shook her head sympathetically. "Sorry. She had hoped you'd already be home for a bit."
"I dropped Phil home and stopped for a tea." He gestured to her bag. "Is it serious? Did something happen?"
Kate walked to the passenger side and opened the door. "She's found Derek."
Nick immediately started the engine. "Is he alright?"
"She thinks so, but I told her that I would come with you to be sure."
Nick and Kate arrived at the pub, and Gina led them to Derek, who was sitting on the cushioned chair with a sandwich and orange juice. Nick nodded over at George before he and Kate sat on two chairs opposite. "I found him in the recently vacated guest room."
"It's Derek, isn't it?" Nick asked. "We've been looking for you. Your brother, Harry, has been really worried."
Derek looked at Nick with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry….I were pretending to be a farmer, but I got lost. Couldn't remember me way back. I came here cause I were tired."
Gina folded her arms, watching Kate check him over. "That's not all. He told the two from the room that he were my kid and they let him stay in the room after they left. Nick, if I'd known…."
Nick smiled reassuringly. "It's alright, Gina, thanks."
Kate smiled, pleased with Derek's health. "He's fine."
Nick stood up with Kate and held his hand out to the boy. "Then come on, let's get you home, ay?"
Nick knocked on the door of Harry's house and smiled when the teen opened it groggily, but Nick could see the bags under his eyes. "Sorry to call in so late, but I have someone who wants to see you." Nick stepped to the side as Derek poked his head out from behind.
"Derek!" Harry held his arms out, and Derek ran toward him. "You had me right worried!" Harry grasped his arms lightly. "Mam woulda killed me if she come home to you missin'."
Derek looked at him guiltily. "Sorry, Harry. I were playing farmers and got lost."
Harry sighed and shook his head before standing up. "Thanks, Mr Rowan. I'm right grateful. You – you won't tell me mam, will yer?"
Nick smiled. "Just keep a better eye from now on, and keep that gate locked, alright?" He looked down at the boy. "And you, no more giving your brother trouble by wandering off." Derek nodded, and Nick bid them goodnight before heading back to the car where Kate was waiting. "I don't know about you, but I - am ready for bed."
Kate smiled and leaned on his shoulder. "Absolutely."
….
Kate was buttering some bread when Nick came through the door from the side and kissed her cheek. "Hallo, love," he greeted before pinching a slice of tomato from her salad plate and pouring himself a tea. She huffed mockingly and fished out two more slices of bread.
"Hi," she smiled and continued. "Pour me a cup, will you." She opened the fridge and pulled out a block of cheese. "I didn't expect you home for lunch today. Cheese and tomato?" Nick nodded before gesturing to the cupboard above her, and Kate knew exactly what he wanted. She reached up and retrieved a packet of salted crisps and opened the bag onto his plate.
"I know it's your day off, so thought I'd surprise you." Nick brought the mugs to the table, and Kate joined him with her salad as she handed him his plate.
"What time do you have to be at the demolition?"
Nick gulped his tea after several bites. "Two. Shouldn't take too long. Patrolling after that…be home by seven tonight." Nick reached for Kate's hand and grinned slightly. "Then I'm all yours."
Kate smiled and leaned forward. "Is that so?"
Nick nodded. "Thought we could see a movie."
Kate gave him a mischievous smile. "Back row?"
Nick closed the gap and cupped her face. "If you like," he muttered and kissed her again. "I'll be late to the demolition if this carries on." Kate didn't reply but kissed him again, and all concerns about the time left his mind – that is - until a knock on the door came. Nick pulled away but quickly kissed Kate again before getting up to answer the door.
A woman stood there, dark brown hair loosely tied behind, wearing an off-coloured white blouse and a long grey skirt. "Are you PC Rowan?"
Nick gave a short smile. "That's right. Can I help you with something?"
The woman seemed to sigh in relief. "I'm glad I caught yer. I've been out of me mind wi' worry!"
Nick held a hand up gently. "Alright, calm down. What's happened?"
"It's me son Mr Rowan. He's gone missing!"
Nick stepped to the side. "You better come in." Nick led the frantic woman into his office. "Sit down, I'll just be a minute." He popped his head through the kitchen doorway to where Kate was still sitting. "I've got a woman here with a missing child. I'll take some details, then I'll head straight out to see if I can do a quick search before the demolition."
Kate's face became grave. "Another one?"
Nick nodded and leaned forward. "Yeah, but I think it might be the same one. I saw a photograph of this woman when I visited Harry before. Think she's the mum."
Kate sighed. "He can't have run off again, could he?"
Nick pulled a face. "Seems likely, unless it's Harry for some reason."
Kate stood up in concern. "If she found out about Derek's wandering, she could have blamed Harry. That would probably be enough cause for him to run off."
Nick nodded. "One way to find out."
Kate gave a small smile. "I'll pour her a tea."
Nick quickly blew her a kiss. "Thanks love." He made his way back into the office where the woman agitatedly sat. "Right. Why don't we start with your name."
"Brenda. Brenda Carson."
Nick jotted her name on his pad. "What happened, Mrs-"
"Miss. It's miss. Father out of t'picture."
"Okay. Miss Carson. Can you tell me what happened?"
Brenda chewed her thumbnail. "I were shoppin' wi' him this mornin' like. Halloween comin' up 'n' all that. Tryin' to be prepared, make sure me young'un gets a good costume. Right imagination is that one. Last week it were a baker, spent three days baking all sorts. Next, it were a farmer. Well, that din't last as now he wanna be a policeman."
Nick smiled but felt guilty. The likelihood of little Derek changing his mind so suddenly about his latest play because of him seemed almost too convenient. "I see." Nick realised that Brenda didn't know about her son's recent disappearance, so if it meant feigning ignorance of the boy's appearance to keep Harry out of trouble, he had no choice. Nick wasn't in the habit of keeping important secrets to himself to protect villagers from their family's scolding, but he'd already promised Harry she wouldn't find out; then again, that was before Derek decided to wander off a second time. Apparently, his little warning wasn't enough to get through to the little explorer. She gave Nick a description of her son and a picture, which, conveniently, was the same one Nick had returned to Harry, and it did nothing to ease the guilt.
Brenda sighed, trying to keep her emotions in. "Should have kept me hand on him. It's all my fault."
Nick shook his head. "Kids wander, Miss Carson. I dare say quite often. In most cases, they show up within a few hours or at the very most, a day. Blaming yourself doesn't usually help."
Brenda smiled despite her growing anxiety. "You're right kind to say that. Tell me this, and I hope yer don't think me forward, but is there a Mrs Rowan?"
At that exact moment, Nick glanced up to see Kate walk in with a tea for Brenda, raising her eyebrow at him. He smiled awkwardly and gestured to Kate when she came to stand beside him. "Brenda, this is Kate, my wife. She's the local GP."
Kate gave a tight-knit smile and extended her hand. "Hello."
Brenda covered her mouth before shaking Kate's hand. "I'm right sorry for that, Doctor Rowan. I din't mean harm by it. I hope yer don't think me a floozy or summat."
Kate shook her head. "Of course not. My husband said you've a missing child. You must be worried sick. Things like that can play on your emotions." Kate handed Brenda the tea with a smile. "I hope I didn't appear jealous at all. That's usually Nick."
Nick looked up at Kate with a half-smile. "Oi."
Brenda waved her hand. "You're both very kind. 'appen you'll be a couple who'll live a long happy life."
Kate smiled as she laid a hand on Nick's shoulder. "I like to think so."
Nick chewed his lip for a moment before deciding – time to come clean. "Miss Carson. I should have told you this right away, and the reason I didn't was because I promised Harry I wouldn't."
Brenda became puzzled. "Harry? He's me eldest son. You familiar wi' him?"
Nick nodded. "Yes. I found Harry skulking about in the estate that belonged to Mrs Millar. Your younger son, Derek, had wandered off much like he seems to have done now, and Harry was in a right state looking for him. With a good team and a bit of luck, Derek was found by Gina Ward who runs the Aidensfield arms with her uncle. I brought Derek home before your return."
Brenda put down the mug and stood up abruptly. "I can't believe this! You had me for a right fool!"
Nick stood up slowly. "Miss Carson it wasn't like that. Your son-"
Brenda scoffed. "You had me go through that whole thing like some stupid damsel!" She snatched the picture from the desk. "I bet you saw this too, ay?" Brenda stalked toward the door before swerving on her heel. "I thought you were different!"
Nick glanced worriedly at Kate before rushing off after Brenda outside. "Miss Carson, wait! I'm sorry."
Brenda turned to him once more. "Right yer will be too! When I make a complaint to your superior!"
Nick tried not to let her words bother him. "Look, come back inside, and we can sort this out. I want to help you find Derek. It's probably because of me that he wanted a police costume in the first place."
Brenda scoffed. "Ain't that t'icing on cake." She stormed off, and Nick refused to make things worse by going after her.
Nick turned back and saw Kate's worried expression as she stood in the doorway. "Blaketon'll have me for this if she does complain."
Kate placed a hand on his arm. "Oh, Nick, it wasn't your fault. You were just protecting Harry."
Nick shook his head, angry with himself. "I should know better, Kate." He looked at his watch. "I better go. Demolition is in one hour, and if I'm not there then that's another reason for Blaketon to chew me out."
Kate looked at him nervously. "He said you had a choice."
Nick sighed and held her arms. "And I said I'd do it. Don't worry so much. It's not like I'm part of the group tearing down the house. They just want me present, that's all. When that's done, I'll start looking for Derek again. Just because his mum doesn't want me helping, doesn't mean I've given up. In a way, I sorta feel responsible."
Kate smiled sympathetically. "Nick, you couldn't have known."
Nick kissed her and turned for the door before giving a side glance back. "See you later."
