After the Waterfall Page #2

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I can't.

I can't come home.

Not yet.

Is there anything else

you can think of?

Any reason why she might

have been upset that day?

She wasn't upset.

Let's go back to the white van.

What was it -

a woman, a man driving?

I told you, I didn't see anyone else.

When we arrived, there was

a white van parked in the car park.

It was the only other vehicle there.

And you didn't see anyone else

that might be connected to it?

No.

Well, there must have

been someone else...

Yeah, there must have been.

She wouldn't run away

from me like that.

She wouldn't run away from me

like that. She just wouldn't.

What was she wearing again?

A grey cardigan and a purple top.

And?

A denim skirt

and little tights

with flowers on them.

What else?

Blue socks

and gumboots.

What else?

Uh...

...a yellow necklace.

And?

John, I need to have all this

in case we find something.

What colour were her underpants?

Her underpants were pink.

Yeah, OK, that's enough.

David, you take him home.

Come on.

Yep, OK.

Will do.

I'll see you back

at the station, hey?

They went through everything.

They went through the whole house.

Why did they keep you so long?

Hello.

It's David.

OK, thanks.

That was your dad.

A few of the guys from the surf club

are gonna drag the stream.

Why? They've done that

twice already.

Why would they do that again?

I said I'd go give them a hand.

I'm coming with you.

Me too.

No, you stay! Somebody has to.

You're the one who told me that.

I have been here for f***ing days,

cooped up with that f***ing

police liaison woman.

She's supposed to be here for us,

but she won't tell me anything.

She's just been following me around,

watching my every move.

She even asked me if you have

any mental health issues.

Have you?

No.

Let her go, John. You need a break.

Try and get some rest.

John.

I promise you I won't give up

until we find her.

Mississippi.

He's awake.

It's only been three weeks,

but if he's determined to go,

I'll send a nurse over tomorrow.

In the meantime,

these should help with the pain.

I would come in,

but I better get back to Lillian.

You alright from here?

Yeah. Thanks.

F***. John.

My car's still at the garage, John.

I wonder if you'd give me a lift

up to Eric's tomorrow morning.

I thought it was ready.

No, it looks like there's more work

than we bargained on.

Alright, no problem.

Thanks, son.

John. Are you there?

Kelvin asked me to call you.

What about?

He wants you

to come down to the station.

Why?

He wants to tell you himself.

John, Ana.

Sorry about the sudden nature

of the call.

Please, take a seat.

Well, I'm sure you both

wanna know why you're here,

so I'll get straight to the point.

This morning, the body

of a seven-year-old girl

was recovered from

a jumbo bin in New Lynn.

The victim has been

positively identified

and I can tell you that

it is not your daughter, Pearl.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

The victim was known to us.

She was the subject

of a custody dispute.

She was reported missing

by her mother on Sunday evening.

Missing?

Why didn't you tell me this?

Because I asked him not to.

What happened to her?

We're still waiting

for the autopsy report,

but I can tell you we've launched

a homicide inquiry.

Does this have anything

to do with our daughter or not?

At this stage, all I can say

is there's no evidence

to connect the two, no.

So what are we doing here?

We can't release the child's name

until we've informed

the rest of the family,

so I wanted you both to know

before you read about it

in the paper.

Are you even still looking for her?

It's been three years, John.

The case is officially inactive

unless some new evidence

comes to light.

John!

Were you gonna tell me?

Didn't you think I'd want to know?

Well, we haven't exactly

been in touch, have we?

Yeah, and whose fault's that?

You're still wearing your ring.

Yeah, 'cause we're still married.

What if she comes back, Ana?

What happens then?

What if she doesn't?

John?

You've forgotten the damn haircut!

OK.

Alright, I'm coming!

Oh, what's this now?

So where were you yesterday?

I went to the police station.

They found a body.

What?

It wasn't her.

Are you sure?

Did you see for yourself?

How can you be sure

if you didn't see for yourself?

How can you be sure?

Dad, Dad, they knew who it was, OK?

They just didn't want us

reading it in the papers.

Was Ana there?

Yes.

And nobody thought to tell me?

There you go. Thank you.

Thanks.

I didn't ask for that.

Yeah, I know.

He's getting a bit old

for this, isn't he?

The way you're going,

you'll be lucky to get to his age.

Well, George,

now what can we do for you today?

How many years have you been

asking me that question, Eric, hey?

And what have I always said?

"The usual. "

Alright, well, I'll do my best.

You can do your worst if you like.

It's all the same to me.

You're next, hey, son?

No. Not today, thanks.

No?

What would your lovely Lillian say

if she could see him now?

She's probably say he looks

like bloody James Dean.

She was too soft on that one.

Yeah.

That's part of his problem.

Oh! Hey, George?

It's alright.

What happened?

I don't know what happened.

His head just sort of

slumped forward.

Give it to me.

I think it might...

Give it to me!

George?

Dad?

Dad, you right?

What is it, Dad?

What's the matter?

Oh, Jesus.

I'm taking you to a doctor.

No! I'm alright.

Give it here, George.

Dad, you fainted.

You've never done that before.

Here.

Give it, George.

Just take me home.

OK.

It was only a nick.

I didn't cut his bloody head off.

Will my daughter come today?

What?

I want to see her.

Well, she's in London.

Dad, she lives in London now.

I was thinking about her.

I... I can't remember her name.

Marion.

Her name's Marion, Dad.

Marion.

It was if I'd lost one

and found the other.

Found who?

I saw Pearl today, in the mirror,

just for a second

before I blacked out.

Are you sure?

Yes.

She was walking past the window.

Dad...

...I really need you

to concentrate now.

What was she wearing?

I'm not sure.

Was she with anyone?

I... I don't know.

I don't know. I don't think so.

A child that age wouldn't be

wandering around on her own, Dad.

I know what I saw.

Oh, God.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because you won't talk about her.

You won't even say her name.

Pearl.

John.

What is it. John?

My father says he saw her.

Where?

Where are you?

I'll call you back.

Alright.

John.

Look, are you sure it's me

you should be talking to?

You made me a promise, David.

Or have you forgotten?

Tell me exactly what he said.

We were at the barber shop yesterday,

at Eric's, and, uh...

...he said he saw her

walk past the window.

Yesterday?

Yep.

He fainted straight after.

He didn't tell me till last night.

He fainted?

Right afterhe saw her.

Was she with anyone?

He wasn't sure.

Has anything like this

ever happened before?

To your dad, I mean.

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