Bill watched as the young girl slowly mounted the emergency steps to the roof of Spar. He grinned as he saw a tearful face appear at the edge of the roof. After muttering a few silent words the girl flung herself of the roof. Bill stood up and looked around for any witness’. Nobody was around. He grabbed the girls’ hair and dragged her behind Spar.
“I didn’t even touch her” he muttered into his mobile, “I’m at Spar come and pick me up…and her”
“So please anyone that has any information about the disappearance of Sue Macbeath contact us the number is 084” the police officers plea was cut short as Bill turned his television off. He spooned the last of his corn flakes into his mouth and dropped the plate into the sink.
The familiar sound of a bell ringing on the shop door alarmed Bill, as he was busy in the storeroom. Well, he thought with some annoyance, Sue will just have to wait for now. He briskly left the storeroom, closing the door tightly behind him. He looked all around, nobody to be seen. Just as he was about to turn around and go back into the room he heard a radio crackle.
“No sign of anyone here. Over.” A deep, manly voice said. Bill spun round and was greeted by an overweight, red-faced policeman.
“Well, Hello young man” said the jolly policeman patting Bill on the back. Bill gave a weak smile.
“Can I help you officer?” he said.
“Well, as you may have already a young lass b the name of Sue Mcbeath has gone missing” he said without much effort. Bill felt like he was reciting a well-rehearsed speech.
“Anyway, to get to the point” he added. “ We believe that she was a colleague and a friend of yours”.
“Yes” Bill gave a fake sigh. “ A very good friend of min. Last time I saw her was yesterday evening, around five to six. I told her she could go early and that I would lock up.”
“Did she say where she was going?”
“No officer. I just presumed she would be going home like usual.”
“Was she acting at all strangely?”
“No officer. Just being her usual cheery self.”
Bill told the officer as he wrote notes down on his note-pad.
“Well son. I reckon I’ll be back, but for now, don’t give up hope eh? We’ll find her” he said comfortingly, chucking Bills chin.
“Thanks you officer. I’ll be sure to give you a call if I think of anything else”
And with that the officer left. Bill tapped a number into his mobile.
“Darren?” he said “I’ve just has that police in here. I think you’d better come over.”
The whole of Lairg was on a hunt for Sue Macbeath. There were new conferences on the television and reports on the radio. The plea that chocked Bill the most was the one from Sues stepfather.
“She was a bright, cheery, joyful girl who had her whole life ahead of her” her teary eyed stepfather said. “Please whoever knows where she is or even thinks they know where she could be just contact us. We just want our little girl back. Thank you”
It was one week on and Bill was getting ready too lock up. After spraying half a can of air freshener in the storeroom, he covered the body with boxes of crisps and sweets. It was starting to decay and Bill was dick with worry. He just didn’t no where to dispose of the body. A chap on the door disturbed Bill from his thought. Standing outside the door were several policemen and Sues stepfather Darren. Bill and Darren exchanged worried glances.
“Officer, I really don’t think this is necessary” Bill could hear Darren say. “She phoned to say she was leaving.”
Bill opened the door and the policemen swept past him. The fat, red-faced policeman didn’t look so happy this time. Without even glancing at Bill he produced and important looking piece of paper.
“We’re here to search this building. We have a warrant.”
Pointing to different officers he directed them to different parts of the shop.
“And me, I’ll check here” he said nodding his head towards the storeroom.
Bill and Darren followed him.
“Where’s the light in here”
“Well actually officer” Bill said pointing to he roof “The bulbs burst”
“No worries, I’ll use my torch.”
He shone his torch all over the room kicking empty boxes out of his way. As he got nearer and nearer the body Bill held his breath. Just as he was about to reach it, he turned around.
“No, nothing here.”
It was the same from every officer. Darren burst into tears.
“We’ll ever find her” Darren cried through great big sobs.
“Don’t worry son, this was only a quick scan. The shop will be cornered off and we’ll have snuffer dogs in by tonight.
The officers were about to leave. Darren was still in tears.
“Uhmm officer” Bill Said “ I was just about to get my break so I could make Mr.Mcbeath a cup of tea or coffee if that’s ok”
“What would you like to do Mr Macbeath?” asked the policeman
“A cup of tea would be great. I’ll call my wife and she’ll pick me up.” Darren sniffed.
“We shall phone this evening Mr Mcbeath with more information” the policeman called as he left the shop.
As the sound of the police van leaving got more distant Darren looked up at Bill with a grin.
“Wow!! That was a close one! Now, what were you saying about the quarry for the body?” Darren said
