Page 4 of Savage Obsession

“I—” I bite back the angry words, the old arguments that we screamed at each other again and again all those years ago, before I finally slammed the door for the last time. I know now that I was right, she had been hiding my cards and not letting Lily talk to me when I phoned, but I’m not buying any of that ‘confused’ nonsense. It was spite, pure and simple, Julia’s revenge because she felt rejected.

I set that aside and return to the matter in hand. “What have the police said?”

“Nothing.”

“What the fuck? Did you even report her missing?”

“Of course I did. The first day. They came round to talk to me, but as soon as I mentioned your name and that she’d said she was coming to you, they lost interest. They think you have her, or maybe it’s some sort of gang thing, maybe revenge. Have you done anything…?”

“Of course not. I’d never involve Lily in anything dangerous. Only a handful of people even know I have a daughter. Or they did, until you started chatting to the police.”

“What was I supposed to do? She’s missing. I’m worried. Are you sure it’s nothing to do with you?”

I make up my mind. “It wasn’t, but it is now. I’ll be there by tomorrow.”

“What? No, I don’t want?—”

“Let me know straight away if you hear from her. See you tomorrow, Julia.”

My next call is to Kristian. He answers on the second ring. “Hey. How’re things?”

“Fine.” True, as far as the island is concerned. “Club’s doing well.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“And the racecourse. We’re raking it in.”

“What are you not telling me?” Very little escapes Kristian Kaminski. He knows I didn’t phone him just to blow my own trumpet.

“Restaurants need a makeover. I was thinking we should refine the menus, maybe freshen the decor in some of them.”

“What’s stopping you? The money’s there.”

And I don’t usually bother him with operational matters.

“I was thinking maybe a word with Janey? About the menus anyway.”

“She’s busy.”

I sigh. Here we go. “Yes, obviously. But she’s good at this stuff and she might enjoy it.”

“That’s what she keeps telling me.” He hesitates, then, “Okay. I’ll get her to phone you.”

“Right. Good, but… I won’t be here.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I need to go back to Poland for a few days.”

“No way!”

“It’s Lily. She’s gone missing.”

“I need you there, not in Poland.”

“I know, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. I can leave Feliks in charge, with backup from Aleksy.”

“Feliks is an accountant, a money man, not an enforcer.”

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