Page 86 of Better the Devil

‘About half four,’ Fleck said, after a moment’s thought. ‘Got back up the road just after five. Was on shift in the office downstairs, catching up with paperwork until eight.’

‘Right, well, he didn’t waste any time then. According to his wife, he went out about an hour after you dropped him home. She reminded him what you’d said, but he said it was important.’

Fleck ran a hand down his face. ‘Jesus Christ, Joe,’ he whispered. ‘And, what? He didn’t come back? He’s been gone since then?’

‘Seems like it,’ Logan confirmed. ‘The wife fell asleep on the couch. Went through to check on him this morning and the bed hadn’t been slept in.’

Fleck shifted his weight around on the balls of his feet, like he was anxious to get moving. ‘Right, so… what now?’

‘I’ve got one of my DCs headed down to talk to her.’ Logan checked his watch. ‘Given the speed the bugger drives at, he’s probably there already.’

The sergeant nodded, but the worried look on his face suggested he was hoping for more.

‘And what about a search, sir?’

‘Not yet. He’s an adult. Been missing less than eighteen hours.’

Fleck’s expression briefly tipped over into horror. ‘But… he’s an old man. He’s vulnerable. He was scared. Ashamed. About what he’d done. About what might happen to him.’

Frustration got the better of the sergeant, and his hand trembled as he scratched at his throat and chin.

‘He promised me he was going to stay home. He promised. I should’ve realised. I should’ve spent more time talking to him. I… I should have made sure he was alright. He made a mistake, but he’s a good man!’

Fleck deflated, losing steam.

‘He’s a silly old bugger, but he’s a good man.’

‘Or he’s up to his neck in it and did a runner the first chance he got,’ Logan offered by way of a counterpoint.

Fleck straightened his shoulders. Shook his head. ‘I don’t believe that, sir. Not Joe. I’m worried he might have done something stupid.’

‘He already did something stupid,’ the DCI reminded him.

‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘No. I know.’ Logan regarded the sergeant for a few moments, then clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. ‘Right, well, we’ll see what the wife has to say.’

He started to turn to the board, then stopped, sighed, and turned back.

‘Take a couple of constables. Head down and have a poke around. I’ll clear it, if needs be.’

The sergeant nodded crisply. ‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.’

‘I hope you find him. I hope he’s alright. But, be very clear on this, Sergeant,’ Logan continued. He took a step closer to Fleck, his shadow falling over him. ‘If he’s mixed up with all this in some way, I’ll throttle him myself.’

‘Don’t worry, sir. It won’t come to that,’ the sergeant assured him. He turned towards the door. ‘But if it does, then I’ll hold him down for you.’

He stepped back just in time to avoid the door swinging inwards as Tyler came charging into the room.

‘Sorry. Sorry, Sarge,’ the DC blurted out. ‘Didn’t see you there. Cause… the door, and everything.’

Tyler waved a hand in front of his face and blew upwards.

‘Is anyone else hot in here? I’m melting.’

Logan met Sergeant Fleck’s eye. ‘Interview.’

‘Ah,’ said Fleck. He gave Tyler a nod. ‘Good luck.’