The Men's Camp

Chapter 10 Maria - The neighbour's information

Maria's head was reeling from the information that Sue's neighbour, Amanda had given them. Sue was indeed a terrible mother. She was often overheard screaming at her child if she wasn't passed out or off on another bender who knows where. Amanda had been Bella's main babysitter during these times. Kindly taking her in, feeding and helping her. Bella rarely went to school and seemed developmentally behind her peers. At home she had many random people coming and going.

"Did any of those people stand out to you?" Mike asked her.

Amanda thought about it. "They were all pretty much the same. Party friends and losers. It was really sad. The one hope I had was shortly before Bella went missing because a social worker came to the house. It wasn't the usual hopeless graduate rushing through a heavy workload but an older woman. Much more matronly, motherly. For a short moment I had hope, thinking she would help, but after the first visit I never saw her again." Mike quickly pulled out the photo of the dead Jane Doe.

"Was it this woman?" he asked

"Why yes! That's her, completely useless at her job I must say. I tried to talk to her, but she was rude and ignored me. I did overhear her phone conversation though once she left the property. I must admit, I was curious about whether she was going to help or not, so don't judge me."

"Of course not," Mike said reassuring her, "what did she say?"

"Well, it was strange. She said something about a package for collection going to the research centre. It sounded like some sort of scientific research and I didn't like the sound of that. I thought maybe they were going to take Sue into rehab or something. I mean, that woman needs help, doesn't she?"

Maria caught Mike's eye with a look of disbelief. They both wondered sadly at the fate of the young girl. The car was linked to a corporation and now the neighbour mentioned a research centre but they both thought it still seemed unlikely that scientists would use a child for such sinister purposes. 

As they drove away from the property Mike attempted to lighten the mood.

"It's not all hopeless" he said, "we have her DNA so if there is anything going on it won't stay hidden for too long. We will find her."

Maria started to feel annoyed by Mike's easy, take charge attitude and way of minimising problems. She was also angry about the way Sue had been raising Bella and it made her think about her own struggles.

"Well, I hope we find her too because this case is doing my head in. Sam and I are trying to start our own family and I can't imagine how it would feel if one of our children went missing like this."

"Yes, it's always hard when you can relate to the situation, but this is very different from your life." 

Mike didn't really think it was in any way the same thing and he also though Maria was becoming a little obsessed with the case. After all, Maria wasn't an addict, she wanted a child and she would be a good mother. Mike quietly envied the great relationship Maria and Sam had and the home they wanted to create. 

"You just don't get it Mike. All I ever wanted was to be a mother and to be the best at it"

"I understand" said Mike "but you are really good at your job too. You helped us find the woman who took Bella and you didn't give up even when I was doubting you. If you keep trying to be perfect at something, you will always struggle to achieve it. Perfection is a fantasy, it's not real."

"Yeah ok Mike" Maria snapped. She had had enough of him and his opinions. He didn't know anything about being a woman trying to have a career and start a family. She regretted bringing up the subject because now she was just thinking about how much failure was in her life. She thought she had failed her first baby and now, as part of the system fighting crime, she had failed Bella as well.