The Eyes of the Accused: A dark disturbing mystery thriller (The Ben Whittle Investigation Series Book 2) by Mark Tilbury

come to the service tonight?’
    Maddie took a deep breath, as if about to jump into a fast-flowing river. ‘You know we’re trying to find out what happened to that missing girl?’
    ‘Hannah?’
    Maddie nodded.
    ‘Poor child. My prayers are with her.’
    She thought Hannah might need more than a prayer. A miracle, more like. ‘There’s this maintenance guy who works at the nursing home where Hannah works. We think he knows something.’
    ‘How so?’
    Maddie told him everything they knew about Crowley, including his conviction for exposing himself to a schoolgirl.
    ‘So what are you proposing to do?’
    Maddie outlined the plan.
    ‘And you think deceiving him is the best way forward?’
    ‘Under the circumstances, yes.’
    ‘Haven’t the police looked at him?’
    ‘Yes. But they can’t do much without any proper evidence. Their hands are tied.’
    Tom put his hat down on the bed. ‘Bound by the law, more like. And for good reason.’
    ‘To protect criminals?’
    ‘To prevent vigilantism.’
    ‘I’d say it’s more likely to cause it than prevent it. Anyway, I’m only going to try to get close to him. See if he opens up.’
    ‘What if he wants to get intimate?’
    ‘I won’t let him.’
    ‘That’s assuming you’re in control.’
    Maddie laughed. ‘I’ll tell him I’ve got a headache.’
    ‘This isn’t a joke, Madeline. What does Ben say about this?’
    Maddie opted for a lie. ‘He’s cool.’
    ‘I’m surprised.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Do you really need me to spell that out to you?’
    Maddie did.
    Tom seemed thoughtful for a few moments. And then: ‘Because he’s sweet on you.’
    Maddie wrapped the silver chain around the base of the photo frame. ‘He’s just a friend. A good friend. Anyway, I’ll be carrying a transmitter. They’ll be able to hear everything. How cool is that?’
    ‘Not very cool if you’re screaming and begging for mercy.’
    ‘You didn’t seem so bothered when I wanted to help Ben rescue his dad from Penghilly’s Farm.’
    ‘Because I felt, on balance, it was the right thing to do. The man’s life was in danger.’
    ‘Hannah’s life is in danger.’
    ‘You don’t know what’s happened to her. She might already be…’
    ‘Dead?’
    ‘Yes, dead. And you might well be next. If this man is responsible.’
    ‘And what if she’s not dead? What if Crowley’s got her hidden away somewhere? What if he’s raping and torturing her as we speak?’
    ‘You say she’s pregnant?’
    ‘About eight months.’
    ‘Okay. So let’s assume he has got her. What on earth would he want with a pregnant woman?’
    ‘Who knows how his mind works?’
    ‘All the more reason to take a step back and consider your options carefully’
    ‘I have. And I’m going to do it.’
    ‘And that’s your final word?’
    Maddie tilted her head back. ‘That’s my final word.’
    Tom smiled. ‘Your mother used to do that.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Tilt her head back when her mind was set on something.’
    Maddie picked up her mother’s picture. She studied it for a few moments. And then: ‘Do you still miss her?’
    ‘Every day.’
    ‘I wish I’d known her.’
    ‘You do know her, Madeline. She’s always with you. In your eyes. Your smile. The way you jut out your chin. Pick at your clothes when something is bothering you. In your voice. The way you end a sentence and turn away if you don’t want to carry on the conversation.’
    ‘I wish I could see her. Speak to her.’
    ‘You can. You just have to open your heart. Stop blaming her for what happened. Allow her speak.’
    Maddie clutched her mother’s photo frame so tight the metal cut into her palm. ‘I want to. I want to so badly.’
    ‘And you will, Madeline. With time and patience, you will. Your mother is your guardian angel. Your keeper. Your very own gift from God.’

Chapter Eleven
     
    Hannah Heath lay in the darkness of her living tomb. She’d not eaten for days. Not since being stupid enough to believe she could