Girl In Disguise

Chapter 41

"Hello, I'm Sergeant Fletcher. I'm here to speak to Ms Carter," I introduce myself, showing my ID, as I stand in front of Victoria Carter's house.

The woman before me, who I'm guessing is Victoria, looks around her mid-twenties. She has waist length blonde hair, hazel eyes and is around five foot seven. She looks like a decent woman from a good family. Why would she associate herself with the likes of Hailey?

"That's me. I got a call saying that you're coming. Come on inside. I've just turned the kettle on. Would you like a cuppa?"

She steps back and holds the door open for me. I take a step in and remove my hat.

"Just some water will do, please."

She leads me into what I suppose is the living room. It looks like any ordinary living room- sofas pushed against the wall, a tea table in the middle, a TV hung on the wall- so there's nothing suspicious about the way she lives that indicates as to why she might know Hailey on name basis.

She leaves the room for a few seconds to get my water and bring in her tea, giving me time to get my notepad and pen out. When she emerges again, I can clearly see that she's struggling to keep the contents of her mug and my glass in the actual mug and glass. I stand up when she's closer, taking my glass and thanking her before she spills the water.

She takes a seat next to me on the sofa and sets her tea on the table. She's clearly nervous.

I take a sip of my water before I start speaking.

"So Ms Carter, what makes you think that your neighbour is going to do something illegal?" I ask, getting straight to the point.

She wrings her hands together, bobbing her leg up and down.

"You needn't be scared Ms Carter. The information you give us will be completely anonymous and we can even offer protection for you if you so wish," I tell her, placing my hand on her leg to comfort her.

"Sorry, I'm just new to all of this business with the police," she reasons.

"Whenever you're ready Ms Carter."

"A couple of weeks ago, I heard her out in her garden talking on the phone. She smokes out there so that's probably why it was the garden," she begins.

"Can you say exactly how many weeks ago?"

"I don't know. Maybe two."

Around the time we came up with the pan and organised with Hailey to meet up with Kate. I jot that down on my notepad.

"I was putting out my washing and I heard her say how she's going to kidnap someone- a girl- and how she's finally going to be able to repay her debt."

"Did she say who it was that she was going to kidnap or give any clue about what the debt was for?" I ask.

"She was saying two names. I think one was Jade and other Katie or something. It really confused me. And I have no clue about what the debt was. All she said was how she was going to kidnap this girl and get rid of her debt to someone called Owen."

I nod my head, jotting down those details.

"Ok, Ms Carter. I'm going to need you to tell me everything you remember about what she said. Starting from her first words. It's a lot to ask, but do you think you can do that for me?"

She nods her head, takes a deep breath and says, "I remember that day like it was yesterday. I don't know how much I can remember now because of my nerves but I think I can remember most important things."