The Syndicate

Part 15. Signed, Sealed, New Owners.

Thomas's POV:

We all woke rather early today, as we were due to meet up with Lord Hazelwood, to discuss how much, they were going to invest into the Manor. Unfortunately though, we couldn't go there just yet, as the police turned up at the door. Dawn was in the kitchen, doing the washing and myself and Andy were in the sitting room, I was helping Andy to print out missing posters, with the girls pictures on them.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dawn pull one of Amy's denim skirts, out of the washing basket and began to hold it up to her face and breathe in her scent. She then, went into the skirt pocket and pulled out one of Amy's lipsticks and she pressed it up to her lips and kissed it. She then,  gently placed the lipstick into her apron pocket. She then pulled out another item of clothing, only this time, it was one of Charlotte's tops and she repeated the same action, as she did before, placing it up to he face to breathe in her scent.

Suddenly, my gaze was interrupted by the news beginning to start on the telly and I turned to watch it. "Good morning, thank you for joining us, it's been four days since Amy Stevenson and her younger sister, Charlotte Stevenson, the seventeen and fifteen year old daughter's...". The news reader began to say. "Dawn, Dawn the news is on!". Andy shouted into the kitchen, to get Dawn's attention. Dawn, then came out to join us, in the sitting room and sat down on the sofa, beside Andy clutching the pile of washing, which had both girls item of clothing in it.  "Police have now widened their search to include other coastal areas, they're also looking for Amy's ex boyfriend Nicholas Harrison, who they believe, may be able to help with their enquiries". The news reader continued.

"Where the bloody hell did they get that from?". Andy asked aloud, gesturing towards the photo of Amy and Nick, that was on the TV screen. "I found it in Amy's room and gave it t' the police". Dawn softly said. "The girls mother Dawn Stevenson, has made an emotional appeal for their return". The news reader continued. Just then, it switched to Dawn, Andy, DI Baker and DS Houghton on the telly. "Amy is a type one diabetic and she needs medication and Charlotte can get ill very easily, so if anyone has seen them or knows anything...". Dawn didn't get to finish, as she began to sob and Andy was comforting her, just as he was now, by holding her hand tightly. Dawn wasn't even looking at the TV screen, but out of the window that lead out into the back yard.

Just then there was a knock at the door. "Who the hell's that?". Andy asked, as Dawn stood up and put down the washing, she had in her hand and went to go and see who it was. "Andy, it's the police!". Dawn shouted through from the dining room, as she came back in with a horrified look on her face. I stood up quicker than ever and brought her into my side for a hug. "I'm sure it will be fine, they're probably just following up on a few things that's all". I tried to reassure her, as Andy went to go and answer the door. He slowly opened the door, as he peeked round it. "Can we have a word?". It was DI Baker and DS Houghton stood there. "Er, yeah". Andy said, as he let them past. Dawn then sat down slowly on the sofa, as I followed her and held her hand tightly within mine, just as soon as DI Baker appeared in the doorway.

"You've found 'em 'avent you?". Dawn began to sob. "Oh, just tell me that their alive". She continued. Just then, Noah walked in and joined us on the sofa. "We've come to tell you we've had the results back from the forensic and the blood on the apron's that was found on the moorland, it's not human blood, it's from a partridge or a pheasant". DI Baker said. We all breathed very heavy sighs of relief, to know the blood wasn't from the girls. I jumped up and clasped the back of my head, with my hands, relieved. "Oh, thank god, oh I thought you were going to tell me...". Dawn gasped between heavy breaths. "Sorry to frighten you, but I wanted to tell you myself". DI Baker said, as she came to sit beside Dawn, taking my seat, as she held her arm in comfort.

"However, I have to tell you that the vomit found on one of the aprons, does happen to be Charlotte's and we've had sniffer dogs and our forensic team, working around the area the aprons were found, to see if there's any more traces of the I hate to say it vomit, anywhere else, luckily the vomit was just filled with cornflakes and nettles, mixed with alcohol, so nothing harmful was found in it, so there's no need to worry there". She added, as she chuckled slightly, making Dawn and the rest of us do the same.