Behind Closed Doors Read Online Free PDF Page A

and walked with me to the door, sighing heavily as she came along.
    â€˜It was good of you to call, Mr Flynn.’ Her face was resolute. ‘Who’d ever imagine young Sadie hiring a private investigator? I do like initiative in a young person.’
    I kept quiet. Initiative is an over-rated virtue in my experience.
    Gina was alongside me as we got to the door. ‘I hope we haven’t wasted too much of your time,’ she said.
    â€˜Not at all,’ I said. What mattered was how little more we could waste.
    â€˜I suppose I should ask.’ Gina hesitated. ‘Has Sadie incurred any charges?’
    I kept my face straight.
    â€˜None,’ I said. ‘Initial consultations are free. I told Sadie that she was not old enough to engage our services.’
    Gina was reaching for the door handle. She stopped short, thoughtful. ‘Would there be anything you could do?’ she asked. ‘Hypothetically.’
    â€˜Hypothetically?’
    â€˜To check on Rebecca. Do you do that kind of thing?’
    â€˜Not exactly,’ I said. ‘We do some private surveillance work but it’s usually on behalf of a family member. Suspicions of infidelity, that kind of thing. We wouldn’t normally be brought in from outside the family.’
    â€˜I understand,’ said Gina. ‘But my nose tells me that the Slaters are hiding something bad. It may be none of my business but it would be a tremendous relief to know that Rebecca was safe.’
    I looked at Gina and saw where this was going. She watched me right back until my mouth opened without permission.
    â€˜In theory,’ I said, ‘we could take a look. The fact is, though, that our firm is a little busy right now.’
    â€˜Of course,’ Gina said. ‘But maybe you might manage to squeeze something in. I’d be happy for you to do that on my behalf.’
    At least she didn’t say “snoop”. One-up on Sadie. And Gina Redding had obvious liquidity. Two-up. I thought it through. Figured we could fit in a few hours. In this business many a payday is shored up by the penny-pullers. Jobs low on prospect but fast on cash.
    And the thing had an intrigue. Why would a girl vanish with the apparent connivance of her parents? More puzzling, why were the Slaters covering it so clumsily? Why the believe-it-or-get-lost approach?
    It was hard to see an explanation that was simultaneously both credible and innocent. When I found the credible and innocent explanation I’d kick myself. But maybe Gina Redding could do the kicking while we banked the cheque. I made a decision.
    â€˜We could make a few enquiries, Gina,’ I said. ‘As long as you understand that we’ll probably find something very ordinary. You might wish you’d not put up the fee.’
    â€˜I’m sure there will be an innocent explanation,’ Gina said. ‘Then we’ll all laugh about it. That’s better than worrying.’
    She had a point.
    So, without knowing quite why, I agreed to take a quick look. We went back into the house and Gina wrote out a retainer cheque. I told her we’d mail the contract by return. I took five minutes to ask a few more questions about the Slaters. Finally I headed for the door again and promised to be in touch. We shook hands. Gina’s grasp was shockingly firm.
    â€˜Gina,’ I said, ‘you’re in good hands.’
    â€˜I’m entirely confident of that,’ she said. ‘I feel better already.’
    That made one of us.
    I drove back to Paddington, thinking over what I had.
    Gina’s info said that Rebecca’s stepfather, Larry Slater, was co-owner of Slater–Kline, a high-street stockbroker in Islington. Business sounded good because even Gina rated the family as well-off. Apparently the Slaters had a nice house, nice cars and took nice holidays. The sort of stuff you get with nice money.
    Rebecca’s mother Jean was an ex-travel-rep who’d