She's Not Coming Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

cell. Don’t understand what they can have to say all the time.
    ‘Anyhows,’ he continued, ‘when she left for work, that was the last contact you had with her. Is that right?’
    ‘Until around five. Just before she’s about to leave, she sends me a brief text.’
    ‘What does the text say?’
    ‘I’ll show you.’ Matt retrieved Ruth’s last message and showed it to Weber.
    ‘“Leaving now”,’ read Weber. ‘Is that pretty standard?’
    ‘Word for word. I think it’s saved as a template on her phone.’
    ‘So, when she does that, you have an idea when to expect her home? What about when you are at work?’
    ‘We both do the same thing. So, for example, I might text her at five thirty; so she knows I’ll be home about six.’
    Weber turned again to the backpack. ‘How many kids?’
    ‘Just the one. Nathan. He goes to kindergarten. He’s upstairs asleep, I hope.’
    ‘Who takes and collects him?’
    ‘We take turns. In the morning Ruth drops him off, and I’ll pick him up. Next day I’ll do the drop off, and she’ll pick up.’
    ‘Generous employers,’ Weber commented.
    ‘Not entirely. Ruth’s contract is drawn up to reflect that, and she’s only paid the hours she actually works. I have to make the time up, on Saturdays or something.’
    ‘You said you’re on vacation. What happened then?’
    ‘Only yesterday and today. If one of us is off, we do both duties.’
    ‘Got it. So: she sent you this text just after five; so you would reasonably expect her home at...?’
    ‘Around five forty.’
    ‘And when she didn’t show?’
    ‘I left it till six then called her.’
    ‘Called or sent a text?’
    ‘Both. Several times.’
    ‘Did you try her office landline?’
    ‘Eventually.’
    ‘Eventually?’
    ‘I tried the number saved on my cell, but it wouldn’t connect. Then I called 411 and got a totally different number.’
    ‘Which you dialled?’
    ‘Yes, but I got the office voicemail saying please call back in the morning.’
    Weber raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘Great,’ he said. ‘Don’t you just love that?’
    He turned the page on his notebook.
    ‘How long have you been married, Mr Gibbons?’
    ‘Three years. But we’ve been together as a couple six. Almost seven. Nathan will be six this summer.’
    ‘Happily married?’
    ‘Sure.’
    ‘Has there ever been – I’m sorry, I have to ask this – anybody else?’
    ‘No. Never.’
    Weber looked up at Matt and gave a brief smile. ‘Any rows, or arguments, over the last few days? Anything to make her pissed off; making her stay away just to get back at you?’
    ‘No, nothing. But she’d never leave Nathan.’
    Weber looked up again. ‘You’d be surprised, Mr Gibbons.’ He paused a beat. ‘Is there anywhere, anyone, she would visit rather than come home? Friends, girlfriends, her parents, your parents?’
    Matt shook his head slowly. ‘Can’t say so.  I tried her best friend’s number when I couldn’t get through to Ruth. But it went to voicemail.’
    ‘Any call back?’
    ‘Nothing yet.’
    ‘Parents? Brothers and sisters?’
    ‘We’re both only children. Ruth’s parents died some years ago; before we got together, so I’ve never met them. My parents live on Cape Cod; we go see them every so often, so Nathan can see his grandparents. They and Ruth: well, they get on, I guess, but they’re not what you’d call really close. I think they disapprove, to be honest.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘I’ve no idea.’
    Weber paused.
    ‘Is your wife dependant on drugs?’
    ‘No. No way.’
    ‘Sorry. Procedural questions. When you last saw her, this morning, what was her mental, her emotional state?’
    ‘Normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.’
    ‘Nothing to give you concern?’
    ‘No. Nothing.’
    ‘Has she ever gone missing before?’
    ‘No. Never.’
    ‘Okay.’
    Weber paused again. Then said, ‘Anything else you can tell me? That might be relevant.’
    Matt thought and shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think