An overweight police officer walked up to the desk and stood behind the glass. “Can I help you, sir?” the man asked, speaking through a small grid speaker at the center.
Butterflies formed in Richard’s stomach. He had completely forgotten to prepare what he was going to say. He couldn’t exactly be vague with the details like he was with the librarian. This was a police officer after all, a man of the law. He wouldn’t be able to give him the run-around. And what if Christina Long had been murdered, or just reported missing? How would he explain how he came across her name, without sounding completely insane? What if they suspected him of her murder? How would he be able to talk his way out of it?
Have I made a horrible mistake coming here?
“Yes sir, can I help you?” the officer repeated.
Richard snapped out of his train of worry. “Urrr, yes. I just need some information… for my wife.”
“All right. What’s the problem?”
“My wife’s friend from school hasn’t called her in a while and she’s getting very worried.”
The officer looked puzzled. “Okay. Has she gone over to her house to see if she’s all right?”
He hesitated for a moment, struggling to think of a quick answer. “She’s been travelling, so she won’t be at home. I just want… she just wants to know if she’s been reported missing. Or even dead. Just to put her mind at rest.” He leaned in close to the glass as if to talk more privately. “My wife suffers from a little paranoia. She can get worked up about trivial things. I’m sure her friend’s fine, but…”
Still with a look of perplexity, and now also a look of suspicion, the officer shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir, unless you’re a family member I’m afraid we can’t give out that kind of information.”
“But I only need a yes or a no on the matter. I don’t need any details.”
Not budging, he shook his head again. “I’m sorry. That type of information can only be given out to family.”
“What if she doesn’t have any family?”
“Doesn’t she?”
“No, my wife’s the closest thing she has to a family.”
The officer sighed loudly, as if growing impatient. “Look, ask your wife to come down to the station and make an official request. Tell her to bring some proof that she’s a close friend. A few photos, that kind of thing. And then we might look into it.”
Unable to think of something to add, he stared blindly at the officer.
“The problem is, my wife is ill,” he blurted out, regretting it immediately. “She can’t come down to the station.”
Richard could see the distrust in the officer’s eyes. It worried him. Yet he couldn’t find the will to back out.
“I’m sorry to hear that but that’s the best I can do.”
Dejected, he musically tapped the desk with his fingers, trying to think of a way to convince him. “There must be something you can do?” He sounded desperate. “Anything at all.”
The officer shook his head. “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do. If your wife is unable to make it down to the station, then I could arrange for a police officer to call round. But that’s the best I can do.”
Nodding in defeat, knowing that there was no way Nicky would ever play along, he said, “No, it’s all right—I’ll leave it.” He moved away from the desk. “Thanks for your time.”
“Don’t mention it,” the officer replied, with a slight tone of sarcasm in his voice. “Have a good day, sir.” He then disappeared through a door behind him.