Spoilt by Joanne Ellis Page B

gave me very similar
information to Laura. That he’s a player who tries to pick up all
the lookers. One of the girls knew Lindsay. She’s been a regular
for years. She also said she hadn’t seen her for a few days
either.”
    “ What are his movements like?”
    “ Both girls very happily informed me that Matthews is in and
out a lot all day. He comes in, bakes what needs to be done, maybe
does some paperwork and serves a few lady customers before he
leaves again. He does this several times over the day and
evening.”
    “ So it’s quite possible that he could be going in and out to
visit the victims.”
    “ Sure looks that way. What did you turn up?”
    “ I saw Mrs. Anderson last night and she told me the last time
she saw Lindsay was when they had lunch together that day. Mrs.
Anderson left to go back to work first and she assumed that Lindsay
followed soon after. When she arrived home that evening, Lindsay
wasn’t there. Mrs. Anderson rang her work and they told her
Lindsay’s hadn’t returned after lunch. When she rang her phone and
it rang in Lindsay’s bag, she grew concerned because she never left
the house without it.”
    “ Any info on the mystery guy?”
    “ No. I asked about Matthews and showed her a picture but she
didn’t recognise him.”
    “ Looks almost certain now. Lindsay’s been abducted by the same
man.”
    He nodded grimly. “I’ve organised some CSIs and uniforms to
collect her things and fingerprint the place. I think we’ll end up
with the same again - no match to the database. If we find any
prints, we can see if they match the ones taken from the vics’
houses, then at least we will know for sure.”
    “ Worth a shot. Hopefully they will find something new
too.”
    “ Chelsea recognised Matthews from the café.”
    “ Please tell me we have good news.”
    “ She remembered Elle seemed interested in Matthews when they
were having lunch but she didn’t know whether or not he was her
mystery man.”
    “ Perhaps we can bring him in for further questioning
now.”
    “ I was thinking the same thing. Let’s go and pick him
up.”
    They arrived at the café to find it half full, with mostly the
same faces Lucas had seen previously enjoying coffee or
brunch.
    “ Hope he’s here,” Maggie said as they walked up to the
counter.
    “ Good morning,” Lucas said, smiling at the girl manning the
bar. “Is Adrian Matthews in?’
    “ Yes, I’ll get him for you.” She disappeared into the
kitchen.
    A moment later Adrian Matthews strutted out but halted when he
saw the detectives.
    “ What are you doing here, Detectives?”
    “ We have some questions we would like to ask you at the
station. Could you come with us please?” Maggie asked
him.
    “ Actually, no, I can’t. I’m busy and have some cakes baking.
You can ask me anything you need to right here,” he said without
budging.
    “ I really don’t think you want us to ask the questions we’re
going to in front of your staff and customers,” Lucas said, giving
Matthews a steely- eyed scowl.
    “ Fine,” he conceded. “I’ll come then. I have nothing to
hide.”
    He threw his apron at the girl behind the counter and asked
her to watch his baking and then followed the detectives out to
their car.
    Matthews initiated small talk on the drive to the precinct but
neither detective was interested in chatting with their suspect.
When they arrived, they showed him to the interrogation room and
offered him a drink, which he refused.
    Maggie pointed to the chair across from where she sat at the
table. “Have a seat, Mr. Matthews.”
    “ Please, call me Adrian. We don’t need to be
formal.”
    “ Ok, Adrian ,” Lucas said as came to stand behind his chair. “Where
were you Wednesday afternoon?”
    “ Probably at the markets getting produce like I am every
Wednesday afternoon.”
    “ And you were there last Wednesday?”
    “ Yes I was.”
    “ Do you know Lindsay Anderson?” Lucas asked as Maggie put her
photo on the