I SHALL FIND YOU by Ony Bond

you.”
    He realized he bore no animosity towards this woman. She seemed at ease with him, believed as she sipped tea after talking to him he couldn’t have hurt her husband. Godfree asked if this was her first pregnancy. No, she already had a ten-year-old daughter whom her husband adopted from an earlier relationship.
    “Go to the police. They should help.”
    She said one thing stopped her. Her husband withdrew cash from the ATM machine last evening.”
    Godfree’s frown deepened. “He needed cash for something then. Doesn’t that look like he planned to leave?”
    “He never mentioned that. Maybe he drove somewhere to hide from people that knew him in his past. I don’t want to endanger him in case they’re looking for him.”
    “Has anybody called, or been to your house searching for him?”
    “No.”
    “If he was in danger wouldn’t he at least let you know since he knows you would worry at his silence?”
    “It might be a good idea to go to the police if he does not get in touch soon enough.”
    “You think something bad happened to him?”
    He shook his head. “Let’s hope for the best.”
    “I shall wait for a bit. If he doesn’t call, I’ll take your advice and visit the police.” She rose to her feet and held out her hand. “Thanks for the tea. You’ve been a great help.”
    “I wish you better luck, ma’am. Hope he gets in touch soon.”
    She smiled and departed, left him with a frown and unanswered questions. Where was Moto? Had something bad happened to him? Was he in hiding from people he tortured? If so why didn’t he alert his wife? That woman didn’t see him as a monster, but a good man who had given her a home. Had Moto met that person abducting girls - that blonde abductor? No, the latter only kidnapped girls. Had someone with revenge on his mind finally got to him and kidnapped him? Suppose he was having an affair? That’s why he needed cash. To drive far. Soon he would be in touch with the wife, lie he had to hide for a while from his enemies. She would believe him. But if he didn’t turn up and the wife reported to the police, then Godfree would be a suspect.
    Moto had been here in this house. No, Godfree couldn’t be suspected. He had an alibi. His wife knew her husband had come home on Thursday and James had seen him leave.
    Godfree drove to the allotment. When he arrived he texted Rose, asked if she was okay. Minutes later his phone buzzed. The call said Green-eyed Rose. That brought a smile to his lips.
    “Hello, Free. Was thinking of you. You at your garden yet?”
    “Yes, just started on the shed.”
    “Hope I’m not disturbing?”
    “You’re more important than a shed.”
    They talked for a while. She sounded down, mentioned she had thought her dad would appreciate him after what had happened at the boot-fare. Godfree comforted her - it was not easy for Frank with what had happened to his older daughter at the hands of a refugee. Accepting Godfree would be a huge step.
    “I miss you. Come over now.”
     He gave her directions. In fifteen minutes she was at the gate. He unlocked it. They worked together as she handed him tools. When they rested he produced drinks from his cooler box.
    “I needed you around, girl. See what we’ve achieved so far. You came up with some brilliant ideas on this shed.”
    “That elderly couple, David and Lucy who came over to greet me like you. They seemed curious like everyone else.”
    He revealed the mystery. They had introduced him to their single grand-daughter months ago. Matchmaking. But although she was not bad-looking she liked partying and smoked. They had just not clicked.
    “What about that red-head at allotment forty, who isn’t happy to see me? The one in jeans slacks?”
    “That’s Anna. She’s a single mother, and divorced with a five-year-old daughter, and looking for a dad for her child. She’s shown she’s available, but I haven’t encouraged any relationship.”
    “I won’t allow you here alone after