The Lady Vanished by Gretta Mulrooney Page A

carers had another job during the day. She had overheard this carer on the phone, discussing her other employment. Mrs Langborne had already commented to my deputy that she had seen this carer asleep in the staff area when she should have been awake and checking vulnerable residents; Mrs Langborne had gone to the kitchen for a drink in the early hours. We do not allow our full-time staff to work at other jobs that might compromise their caring abilities and especially those who work a night shift as they need to be alert. I had to look into it and I confirmed that this carer had another job in a bakery in the day. I’m afraid we had to dismiss her.’
    ‘Did Mrs Langborne know this would lead to the carer being sacked?’
    Ms Berardi picked at a button on her jacket sleeve. ‘I did not discuss this with her. I told her the matter would be investigated and left it there. She was, I found, a determined kind of person and told me that she had to do her duty. The carer’s dismissal took place about four weeks after Mrs Langborne left so I doubt she knew.’
    ‘And the carer? Did she know that Mrs Langborne had reported her?’
    ‘I did not inform the carer and my deputy was the only other person who knew; she would not have passed this information on. However, I can’t say that the carer might not have found out somehow. There is a large staff group here and one cannot always prevent rumours and gossip.’ She had an asthmatic wheeze when she spoke and she patted her chest. ‘It was correct that Mrs Langborne reported this to me but the carer was one of our best and I was sorry to see her go. But there we are; she had breached her contract.’
    ‘Can I have this carer’s name?’
    ‘I can give you that but I have been advised that I cannot give you her address. Her name is Charisse Lomar.’
    ‘And she left here the end of October?’
    ‘That’s correct.’
    Swift noted the information. ‘Was this carer, Charisse, friendly with any of the other staff here, someone who might know her whereabouts?’
    Ms Berardi’s look was not amiable. ‘I’m not sure that it would be correct for you to talk to any carers.’
    Swift nodded. ‘I know it’s a further imposition but there is an elderly lady missing, which is very worrying.’
    She made a snuffling noise and cleared her throat. She stood and looked at a rota on the wall. ‘Beata Jesowski is here this morning and I believe she and Charisse were friendly. She’s due a break so I’ll ask her if she will speak to you. It will be up to her; after all, you’re not the police. I must ask you not to speak to her of Mrs Langborne’s complaint about Charisse.’
    ‘Yes, I understand.’
    ‘Wait here, please, and she only has fifteen minutes for her break.’
    She locked her computer, took an inhaler from a desk drawer and exited. Swift stood and opened a window; the air in the place was stifling, like a hospital. He stood in the office doorway, observing carers coming and going. A thin old lady wearing pink curlers of the type that Lily used to employ wandered up to him.
    ‘Have you seen my Pete?’ she asked Swift. ‘He was supposed to be in for his dinner but he hasn’t shown up.’ She looked about, distractedly.
    ‘I’m afraid not,’ he said. ‘Maybe one of the staff can help?’
    She looked around him into the office, rubbing her hands anxiously. ‘He’s not in there, is he? He’s a devil for forgetting the time.’
    ‘There’s no one else in here.’
    She clutched Swift’s arm. ‘What if he’s had an accident? I’m always warning him about those machines. The kids will be worrying. And I’ve done sausage casserole, his favourite.’
    Swift took her papery, chilly hand, seeing the distress in her faraway eyes. ‘Let’s find someone who can help.’
    ‘He cut his hand on one of those machines last year; there was a terrible lot of blood.’
    A carer was coming towards them. She took the woman’s other hand and rubbed it.
    ‘What are you doing