Miss No One, Mark Ayre [romantic love story reading .TXT] 📗

with Stanton and Norris. As it was, he didn't have a choice. In a way, that made things easier.

Prompted by Stanton's question, Ndidi internally recalled his conversation with the man with the unidentifiable accent. The one who had told Idrissa to call him Kidnapper A. Or, if he liked, A, for short.

In fact, A hadn't contacted Ndidi. Ndidi had phoned him on his way back to his house forty-five minutes previously.

After Ndidi had learned about Isabella, Constable Evans had come to his door. Had left him with a burner phone. Had told him which number to call if he ever wanted to see his daughter again. Ndidi hadn't hung around. He shouted and swore and threatened A until his voice was almost gone. A had seemed unfazed. He had explained what Ndidi was to do in calm tones and asked Ndidi to tell him about Abbie King. Evans must have told A about her arrest. Then A had allowed Ndidi a few seconds to speak to his daughter before asking if there would be any problems completing the task. It was at this point Ndidi had mentioned the obstacle that was Kilman and in doing so had, how had Abbie put it? Oh yes, signed the DCI's death warrant.

How right she was.

I hope our next conversation will be a little more amicable.

That was the last thing A had said before hanging up after his first conversation with Ndidi.

"Sorry," said Ndidi to Stanton. "It's been so tough."

Easy words. They were true, so who would disbelieve them? They allowed Ndidi a little time to recall his most recent conversation with A. This one had indeed been much more amicable.

"It's okay," Stanton said. "Take your time."

Norris looked as though he wanted to go home.

Is it done?

That was the first thing A had said upon answering Ndidi's call. Ndidi had said it was, and A had congratulated him.

It's almost over, Idrissa. You do what we say, and tomorrow, not long after the sun goes down, you and your daughter will be together again. Happy families. Well, minus the wife.

Ndidi had to take the phone from his ear at that. Already fighting tears, now he felt as though he might start screaming again. Stopping himself, he asked to speak to his daughter. A obliged, and her little voice had travelled down the line. She wasn't crying anymore. She sounded distant. Already, they'd broken her. Any hopes of a quick recovery once Ndidi got his precious little girl back were extinguished.

He wanted to kill A. What he wouldn't do to get the chance.

He kept his voice calm. He listened to his instructions.

Your friendly colleagues will visit you tonight. It's easy. You'll sit them down, you'll listen, you'll tell them we've been in touch. They'll want to know what we said, and this is what you tell them.

"They said they were disappointed," said Ndidi to Stanton. "I let them down, but I'm lucky. They still have a use for me."

"What use?" asked Stanton. Norris looked nervous. He feared having to make another decision which could only be described as a PR lose-lose.

"They didn't say. Midnight tonight, 22 hours away now, they'll call again. This will be the final chance to save my daughter. They told me that, then they put Isabella on the phone. And they made her scream."

Make sure you say the scream thing. It'll make 'em squirm.

Norris did indeed squirm. Stanton held her professional expression, but it was a close-run thing. This was a struggle for everyone. Except for maybe Evans, who wasn't even feigning discomfort.

"I know how hard this must be," said Stanton.

She didn't, but Ndidi had made similar unsubstantiated claims in the past and let this pass with no more than a nod.

"We want to help find your daughter. As you know, we still have people out looking and won't stop searching until we locate Isabella."

Alive or dead. The thought crept into Ndidi's mind unbidden, and he almost choked on the unspoken words.

"If we could come back for the call, listen to what the kidnappers have to say but also try to trace them, it would be a huge help in discovering where your daughter is. Would you be open to us coming here for that?”

Ndidi pretended to mull this over. A would call again, but their next conversation would take place hours before midnight. By then, it would all be over. One way or another. Of course, he couldn't let either of the two on the sofa know that.

"You have to understand," he said. "My daughter comes first. She means the world to me, and I will do whatever it takes to save her."

Stanton nodded. Her look was solemn, but understanding.

"Of course. We would expect nothing less."

Norris looked uncomfortable. Ndidi's claims were all very well. Norris was worried about what he might have to do if his subordinate tried to back them up against police protocol.

"You can come for the call," said Ndidi. "Bring whatever you need in terms of equipment, but please don't bring too many people. Two or three would be ideal if you could manage it."

A had given Ndidi no guidance on how to handle this situation. Ndidi was playing it by ear and, he thought, handling it quite well.

"We'll work to bring as few officers as possible while still ensuring we have the best chance of saving Isabella," said Stanton.

Ndidi nodded as though he was grateful, though these were meaningless words. Clever police talk. They made it sound as though Stanton was going to do as Ndidi asked while giving her the space to bring as many officers as she saw fit.

"I'd like to be alone now," said Ndidi. "You can return shortly before the call, but for now... well, I know as long as you're here, you're not looking for my daughter. So if you don't mind."

Ndidi stood. A straightforward enough signal, and Stanton and Norris took it, standing a second after him.

"Of course," said Stanton. "We'll be back around ten pm if that suits? I know that