Disappear Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘And if there’s anyway I can help him, I will.’ She gestured to indicate the business around them, ‘After all, he’s the one who made Wishing Pool Fashions possible.’
    ‘Excuse me, Jennifer.’ The receptionist, Carmen Tucker, was at the doorway. ‘There’s a Detective Senior Sergeant Lachlan here, asking to see you.’
    ‘To see me?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Send him through to my office, Carmen. I’ll be along in a moment.’ Jennifer exchanged a curious glance with Cindy.
    ‘No idea what it’s about?’ Cindy asked.
    Jennifer shrugged. ‘None.’
    ‘Something to do with this Kaplan thing, perhaps?’
    ‘I doubt it. Kaplan’s had no financial stake in Wishing Pool for years.’ Jennifer headed out of the room. ‘You’ll handle the Myers order?’
    ‘You just leave that with me.’
    Neil Lachlan stood just inside Jennifer’s office, admiring the view her window afforded of Hyde Park. It was a clear day, no clouds. A flock of birds moved swiftly over the treetops of the large city park, a patch against the distant blue. The birds were too far away for Lachlan to tell what kind they were.
    Jennifer strode in and offered her hand. ‘Good morning, detective.’
    Lachlan took her hand. ‘Sorry to disturb you, Ms Parkes.’
    ‘Quite all right. What can I do for you?’
    ‘I’m here to ask about your husband, Brian Parkes.’ Lachlan referred to his pocket notebook. ‘I understand he was listed as missing eighteen years ago and has since been declared officially deceased.’
    ‘That’s correct.’ Jennifer was incredulous, so much so that she could find no other words. What on earth was this about? Now. After all these years. She glared at the plainclothes policeman, waiting for him to continue.
    ‘A man answering the description of your husband was fatally injured in a hit and run accident last night, Ms Parkes. I understand this must come as a great shock, but we need you to assist us by identifying the body.’ Lachlan wondered whether he sounded as uncomfortable as he felt. He’d done this many times before but it never got any easier – not for him, anyway. This was one of the worst tasks for any police officer, asking the spouse of a deceased person to help with identification. There was more to this, though, an eerie feeling of … displacement. It wasn’t as though this woman had last seen her husband the night or day before.
    ‘I think someone must have their wires crossed,’ Jennifer said. ‘This hit and run victim can’t possibly be my husband. He would have died a long time ago.’
    Lachlan reached into his coat pocket and withdrew the wallet. He handed it to Jennifer. ‘This was found on the victim. Do you recognize it?’
    Jennifer flicked through the contents of the wallet. The color drained from her cheeks as she glanced over the drivers licence. ‘This can’t be …’ Her voice trailed away, lost.
    She felt a sudden stabbing pain in her temples.
    ‘As I said, Ms Parkes, I know this is an enormous shock. Perhaps it’s best to clear the matter up as soon as possible.’
    Jennifer nodded, slowly. She felt numb all over, simply numb. Part of her mind insisted that this was a ridiculous, dreadful mistake; but another, deeper part had always known that this day would come. It should have come eighteen years before. Not now.
    Why now?
    Jennifer had done her grieving for Brian a long time ago. So why did she feel a stinging, watery sensation at the corners of her eyes.
    I was over you a long time ago, Brian, wasn’t I?
    At the city morgue, Jennifer was ushered into a large, nondescript room. Long, flat tables and metal cabinets jutted out from odd corners and rows of small metal doors lined the far wall.
    The attendant opened one of those doors and pulled out the tray containing a covered body.Jennifer was oblivious to the attendant. Her eyes were fixed on the body. She took a deep breath as the cover was folded downwards, revealing the face.
    Eighteen years had passed since