A Great Leap (First Draft) - Outer Realms Book 1

Chapter 10

"Is it just me or does this kid simply not exist?" Mikayla dropped her head into her hands, "Honestly, is he a spy because I'd have thought someone who got arrested for kidnapping would be a little easier to find. I found a Claire Shaw who's a teen internet personality with a moderate but loyal fan base. Kelly follows her, actually. She's all over social media and she's from Sydney. Don't don't for certain she's related to any of this."

"His parents are coming in to talk to us," Joel said, "Said they were happy to help. Didn't give them the details, just said he had information that could help us so they're coming in as soon as they can. I can't find anything on how this guy knows either of our victims."

"Neither can I. I've put the word out and I'm hoping to hear back from someone involved in his past arrests." Mikayla rubbed her eyes. "I'll shout lunch. Give me a ring if these parents show up before I get back."

Mikayla and Joel were halfway through their meal when they received a message from reception and they went down to the foyer to meet the parents of Dominic Shaw. William Shaw was a short, portly man with salt and pepper hair. Charlotte Shaw was slightly taller than Mikayla with dark brown hair streaked with grey at the temples. Mikayla and Joel showed the couple into a visitor conference room.

"Thank you for coming in on such short notice," Mikayla said as they all sat at a round table. On the table was a tray with a clear plastic pitcher of water and matching cups, "I just have a few questions for you both. It shouldn't take too long."

"You said this was about our son?" Mrs Shaw asked.

"What's he done now?" Mr Shaw spat in irritation.

"Can't say that Dominic has done anything," Joel said in his most even, reassuring voice, "He was probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Charlotte scoffed. "You give that boy too much credit. He was always... troubled. He started hanging out with some bad people. Never mattered how much we tried to help, we just couldn't get through to him."

"I understand you had to get us involved," Mikayla said, "The police, I mean. Our files don't say mich so we're hoping you could fill us in?"

"He was breaking into house," Charlotte answered, "Stealing. We were always find him with things we didn't buy for him."

"Don't know what his problem was," William said, "We thought getting the police involved would scare some sense into him. It didn't work."

"What was he stealing?" Mikayla asked, "Where was he stealing from?"

"Could of robbed anyone," Charlotte said with a dismissive hand wave, "We know he didn't get those things from us but we seemed to be the only ones willing to turn him in for it."

"And the kidnapping?"

"He took a little girl," Charlotte replied, "She was just six and he took her from her home. He didn't get far, thank god."

"Why wasn't he formally charged with anything?" Mikayla asked, "Kidnapping a child is extremely serious."

"The police," William Shaw said with a curled lip, "You lot didn't think it was all that serious. Let him go without so much as a warning. Honestly, what's all this about?"

"Please sir," Joel said, "We just need to talk to Dominic. Do you have any idea where's he's living, where he works or anywhere we can find him?"

"Dominic ran away when we was seventeen," William answered, "We haven't heard anything from him since then. It's no surprise that he's in trouble with the police though, I can tell you that. If he's broken the law, you need to put him away properly this time. Maybe that'll finally straighten him out."