Page 19 of Final Betrayal

TWELVE

Whyte’s Pharmacy was one of the few old-fashioned family-owned enterprises to survive in Ragmullin. When he arrived at the shop, Kirby was brought into a back room, where he sat himself down on the chair offered by the pharmacist, who introduced herself as Megan Price. The room was small and shelved from floor to ceiling, packed with medicines and drugs. Kirby kept his hands firmly clasped on his lap and was glad the boss wasn’t here. He knew about Lottie’s struggle with prescription medication, though he thought she was now over that addiction.

‘Ms Price,’ he said. ‘I’m making enquiries on behalf of Amy Whyte’s father. Do you have any notion of where Amy might be?’

‘No. Not a clue. Richard, Mr Whyte, arrived this morning all concerned.’ The pharmacist appeared to be in her mid thirties, with deep furrows grooved into her forehead. She rubbed a hand along her chin and eyed Kirby. ‘That’s not entirely true. He was more angry than concerned. Couldn’t believe she hadn’t turned up yesterday either.’

‘You hadn’t informed Mr Whyte that Amy was absent yesterday?’

‘I didn’t see the need to land the girl in any trouble.’

‘What kind of trouble?’ Kirby fumbled with one hand in his pocket for his notebook. Damn, he’d left it at the office, along with his phone. He’d have to remember the salient points of the conversation.

‘I shouldn’t have said that.’ The pharmacist was furiously back-pedalling. ‘I just don’t like telling stories out of school, if you catch my drift.’

‘And what stories might those be?’

A loud sigh was followed by a strained cough before Price spoke again. ‘Amy’s a good girl. She has her heart in the right place. Her father thinks she’s a saint.’

‘But you know different?’

‘You could say that. More often than not, she doesn’t appear on Sundays. Likes to party with that friend of hers who used to work here. Penny something … Let me think. Brogan. That’s it. Used to work here too. Richard had to let her go.’

‘When was that?’

‘About a month ago.’

‘Why did he let her go?’

‘She was lazy. Wouldn’t lift a hand to do a good turn for anyone. And in this type of job, you have to be prepared to help out. Some of our customers are ill, or caring for someone who’s ill, so they need to be treated with care and attention.’

‘And Penny wasn’t like that?’

‘No. Quite the opposite. I’d often find her trying out the lipsticks, testing nail polish or spraying expensive perfumes. Not good for business.’

‘Amy recommended her for the job, did she?’ Kirby wasn’t sure this had any relevance to where Amy might be, but just as well to let the pharmacist have her say.

‘She did. But I think Penny’s behaviour got too much even for her.’

‘Did they fall out?’

Price paused and rubbed her chin nervously. ‘Not that I know of. I think they’re still friends. They go clubbing together after all.’

‘Can you think of anyone else Amy was friendly with?’

‘She has a lot of friends. Not that I could name any of them. Amy’s a vivacious girl. Always smiling. She has a good word for everyone.’

‘Boyfriend?’

‘Never heard her speak of one. That’s not to say she doesn’t have one.’ Megan Price twisted one hand around the other.

‘Can I have a word with the other staff? They might know of someone she was close to.’

‘You don’t know where she is then?’

‘We’re looking for her.’

Price said, ‘Richard’s a very influential man. He has a lot of friends in high places. I’d pull out all the stops if I were you.’

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