AARP Hearing Center
![illustration of a young man rushing out of an office, his green tie flying behind him, office chair and pencil cup falling over illustration of a young man rushing out of an office, his green tie flying behind him, office chair and pencil cup falling over](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/the-herons-cry/chapters-43-45/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/members-only/member-benefits/2021/10/the-herons-cry/1140-ch43-45-herons-cry.jpg)
Chapter Forty-Three
JONATHAN WAS IN HIS OFFICE, FOCUSED on spreadsheets and the minutes from the last trustees’ meeting, and didn’t realize that Eve was late until an extra half hour had passed. It wasn’t like her not to be on time. Once, she’d described her punctuality as a curse, something she’d inherited from her father.
‘Mum always kept us waiting. It drove Dad crazy.’
He’d had his phone on silent and checked it for missed calls and messages. Nothing. He called her mobile and heard it go straight to voicemail. Leaving his office, he wandered downstairs to look for Eve there. She could be waiting in the lobby or in the cafe. The place was satisfyingly full. That evening there would be a production in the Woodyard’s small theatre and the audience was already arriving, catching up with friends in the bar, having an early supper. He looked into the cafe but there was no sign of her, at the table he’d reserved for them, or chatting to Bob.
![member card Image Alt Attribute](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/features/membership/inline-membership-promo/default/master5/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/uxdia/membership-card-d-and-t.png)
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Labor Day Sale!
Join AARP for just $9 per year with a 5-year membership and get a FREE Gift!
Jonathan went to the counter and called in to the manager. ‘Have you seen Eve Yeo?’
Bob was so busy that he barely looked up. ‘Nah, sorry, but you can see what it’s like.’
‘Is Lucy around?’ Lucy would recognize Eve.
‘Her shift finished at five. She’ll be back later just before the play starts.’
That was when Jonathan had a real sense of unease, so he called Eve again and left her a message.
‘Hey, love, where are you? Can you give me a ring?’
And that was when he went back to his office to call Matthew.
After the call, he sat for a moment, staring at the blank computer screen, but he knew that it would be impossible to concentrate on work. He’d asked Matthew if he should go to Westacombe to check on Eve.
‘No need,’ Matthew had said. ‘Jen’s already there. I’ll get her to look.’
So, Jonathan was left, helpless and restless, with nothing useful to do. He locked his office and went back to the lobby. Lucy Braddick was just walking in, dressed in a bright green dress, swinging a big straw bag.
‘Hi, Luce. You back to help with the play?’
She nodded. ‘I just went home for my tea.’
‘I’m looking for Eve Yeo. I don’t suppose you’ve seen her?’
‘Eve, who makes the glass?’
‘That’s right.’
‘She was here earlier.’ Lucy gave one of her delightful smiles. ‘She was waiting for you!’
‘Are you sure?’
‘’Course I’m sure.’ Lucy sounded offended.
‘Was Eve on her own when you saw her?’
‘Yeah, she was just coming out of the ladies’ loos.’
‘And what time was that? It’s really quite important, Luce.’
‘It was five o’clock.’ Lucy was definite. ‘I was just on my way home.’
***
Back in his office, pacing now, not able to sit, Jonathan was on the phone again to Matthew.
‘Is Lucy certain?’ Matthew paused. ‘You know what Oldham’ll say if we shift the whole focus of the investigation to the Woodyard on the evidence of a learning-disabled adult and Eve’s car is still at Westacombe.’
‘Well, she wouldn’t be driving if she was going to meet me for supper!’ Despite his anxiety, Jonathan allowed a trace of amusement into his voice. ‘We always shared a bottle of wine when we met up. I’d already booked a taxi to get me home. And yeah, Lucy was positive.’
‘Was Eve with anyone when Lucy saw her?’
Jonathan thought he could sense Matthew holding his breath, waiting for an answer. ‘No. Luce saw her outside the ladies’ loos, so even if she’d come to the centre with someone else, she’d be on her own in there.’ Jonathan paused. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Start a search of the place. We’ll be there.’
Chapter Forty-Four
IT WAS NEARLY EIGHT O’CLOCK WHEN Jonathan phoned to say that Eve had been seen in the Woodyard, and by then Matthew was frantic. He could feel his self-control unravelling. Outside, the humidity, which had been growing all day, seemed unbearable and in the station, there was little light. After the full blast of sunshine that had lit up the building for weeks, it felt as if they were suddenly in a different season, a different world.
More From AARP
Free Books Online for Your Reading Pleasure
Gripping mysteries and other novels by popular authors available in their entirety for AARP members