“Billy—glad I caught you at home.”
“’Allo, miss. I was about to give you a ring. I was out doing some work on a couple of our small cases this morning, thought I’d get them cleared up before too long. More to the point, I’ve been sniffing around and I’ve got something for you on Peterson.”
“Go on.”
“When I got back to London last evening, I thought I’d wander around to Peterson’s gaff. I waited a bit, but no one came along. Then I thought that instead of catching the train that evening, the happy couple might’ve decided to get the coach the following morning—it’s cheaper, and I reckon that mother-in-law of his might’ve had something to say if they’d left with no notice. So I went along to the bus station, looked up the timetables, and worked out the earliest they would be back home. Nipped round there this morning, and there they were, coming along the road. Couldn’t believe my luck! I dropped into a shop doorway so Peterson couldn’t see me—tucked myself well in. Anyway, he says to her, ‘Come on, girl, let’s get ourselves sorted out and we’ll be on the Penzance train tomorrow morning.’ His missus asked him when they would be back, and he said, ‘Let’s just give ourselves a nice few days on our own—special treat, like I said yesterday.’ She asked if his job would be all right, and he said not to worry because he’s supposed to be down in Kent anyway.”
“Did he say where they were going?”
“I heard him mention going to Paddington in the morning, and nothing more than catching the Penzance train, so I thought I’d go to the station early, get myself a cup of tea, and keep an eye out for them—shouldn’t be too hard to find out where they’re going.”
“Good work, Billy. You had a late night and an early start today—you must be tired. Are you sure you don’t mind the extra time?”
“It’s what you pay me for, miss, and it takes my mind off what’s going on in this house. Bobby’s at work today, and Doreen and Margaret are out—getting a few bits and pieces ready for the off on Monday. Anyway, it’ll be a nightmare here tomorrow morning, what with the packing. I’ll be glad to get out of it, and I won’t get under Doreen’s feet! That way we’ll have a peaceful Sunday dinner and a nice evening into the bargain. And now I’m home I’m going to make myself a cuppa before going out and doing a bit in the garden—take my mind off it all, and it’ll please Doreen no end.”
“All right, let me know if there’s anything to report. And Billy—look, I won’t be in the office on Monday, and I daresay I’ll be in late on Tuesday. When you get back to the office Tuesday morning, I’d like you to work on something else for me—and it’s a priority, so you’ll be busy.”
“Right you are, miss. Fire away.”
“It’s about Anna, our evacuee.”
“Said anything yet?”
Maisie shook her head, as if Billy were in the room, watching her. “Hardly anything, and then only to herself when she thinks no one’s listening. But I have a plan, and though my father is most disapproving, I think it might work.”
“Hmmm, knowing your dad, whatever it is, I’m inclined to agree with him.”
“I’m sure you would. Now, Billy, here’s the job. It seems Anna might have been spotted with an elderly lady at Denmark Hill Station, on the day of evacuation. It must have been teeming with children, but the mother of the two boys who were with us—”
“Who were with you? What happened to them?”
“The mother came to take them home to London.”
“Silly woman—there’s a few who’ve done that. I reckon they’ll be back, just give it a month or two, let Hitler sort himself out, and then we’ll know there’s a war on.”
“Be that as it may, Billy, but I can’t do anything about the boys at the moment. Anyway, the mother—Mrs. Preston—was here yesterday, and she thought she recognized Anna. In a way, I can see why, given her coloring—she stands out a little—but by the same token, Preston may have been mistaken. In the meantime, it’s the only lead we’ve had.”
“What do you want me to do, miss?”
“Apparently the woman with Anna was very poorly, possibly with a bad chest infection, or in the worst case, she’s a consumptive. She had a bag with her, and the boys’ mother said that she wouldn’t be surprised if the woman was going into hospital. There are a few voluntary hospitals within striking distance by bus or tram, so could you check?”
“King’s College Hospital, Guys, St. Thomas’—and I’ll give the Royal Free a go.”
“Good man. That’ll be a lot more shoe leather worn through. If you have any trouble with the staff, see if Caldwell can help you—perhaps a letter confirming who you are, or a call to the registrar will help. Explain the circumstances to him, and I am sure he’ll understand.”
“Does he owe you a favor?”