Celina Grace - Hushabye: CEFR level A2+: A Kate Redman Mystery: Book 1

HUSHABYE

A Kate Redman Mystery

Book 1

by Celina Grace

CEFR level A2+

Adapted by Read Stories Learn English

Read Stories Learn English

Hushabye

Original text Celina Grace, 2013

Adapted text Karen Kovacs, 2021

Logo by Sunnie DG Illustrations Karen Kovacs, 2021

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the authors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments or actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Contents

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Police

Kate Redman

Mark Olbeck Kates

Anderton Kate and Marks boss

Theo

Jane

Jerry

Rav

Some of the other people in the story

Charlie Fullman the baby

Dita Olgweisch the babys

Nick Fullman the babys father

Casey Fullman the babys mother

Mary Redman Kates mother

Casey Fullman opened her eyes and knew something was wrong.

It was light already but Dita wasnt there. Every morning, before it was light, Dita brought Charlie to Casey with his baby bottle and Casey fed him. Nick often said to her, Dita should give Charlie his milk in the mornings. I pay her to do these things! But Casey loved being with her baby in the early morning. She never woke Nick up at that time. He worked so hard and needed his sleep.

But this morning, there was no Dita in their bedroom. And there was no Charlie. Casey sat up in bed. She looked at Nick he was sleeping.

She got up and walked out of the bedroom. She was worried. Maybe Charlie is not well, she thought. Now she was afraid.

She walked to Charlies bedroom and opened the door. She saw Dita on the floor. She was lying there, not moving, and her face looked strange.

Caseys heart stopped. She opened her mouth and looked at Charlies little bed And then she started to scream.

Kate Redman was . It was her first day in her new job and she was in her flat, getting ready. She checked her hair and clothes in a long mirror. Do I look ok? she thought. Yes, she looked clean and tidy.

She hated first days. On her first day at school, many years ago, the other children laughed at her and said You smell terrible! But this was different. This wasnt school and she didnt smell bad now.

Kate was a police crimes.

Kate was early she was always early but her partner was late. Then he knocked on the door.

Are you Redman? he asked, when she opened the door.

Yes, thats me, Kate answered.

Im DS Olbeck. But you can call me Mark. Then he smiled. Sorry Im late!

Mark was nice. Kate liked him. No problem. And you can call me Kate.

They got into the car and Mark started driving. Where are you from? he asked.

Im from Bournemouth.

And do you like it here in the West Country?

Yes, its great, she said.

Do you know anyone here?

No, I dont know anyone, Kate answered.

This isnt your first job as a police detective, is it? Mark asked.

No, it isnt Listen, can we talk about the a baby last night.

Yes, thats right, Mark answered. The baby is Nick Fullmans. Hes a rich businessman. His wife, the mother, is a . Shes called Casey. Im sure the parents are really worried.

Yes, said Kate. A little baby She remembered something from her past. But she couldnt think about that now. And the murder? she asked.

Someone murdered the babys , Dita Olgweisch, Mark said.

Maybe the person was kidnapping the baby and the nanny tried to stop him so he murdered her, Kate said.

Yes, maybe.

They arrived at the Fullmans house. There were big gates and cameras. They went inside.

Kate didnt like the house. It was very big and new, and the furniture looked very expensive, but the house didnt feel friendly. Kate could see the Fullmans had lots of money and it was new money.

Kate and Mark went into the kitchen. Their boss, Anderton, was there. He was a grey man: grey hair, grey eyes, grey clothes. Hello, DS Redman. Welcome.

There was a woman on a sofa. This was Casey Fullman, the babys mother. She was beautiful. She was also very thin and very small like a child. Kate noticed that she had too much make-up. Someone took Charlie but I didnt hear anything. My baby, where is my baby? She started to cry.

Suddenly, Kate saw a man in the garden. He was walking up and down and he was on the phone. He was about 35 years old and good-looking.

He came into the kitchen. Sorry, that was an important business call. It was Nick Fullman, the babys father. A business call is more important than this? thought Kate. Nick sat on the sofa, next to his wife, and her.

A woman came into the kitchen. Would you all like a cup of tea? she asked everyone.

Hi, Gemma. Thanks for coming and, yes, some tea would be great, said Nick. This is my , Gemma Phillips, he told the police officers.

Gemma smiled at the officers but then she saw Casey Fullman and stopped smiling. This is terrible. I cant believe it.

Gemma made the tea and gave everyone a cup. Casey drank a little of her tea and then stopped suddenly and put her hand over her mouth.

Oh sorry, said Gemma. I always forget you dont have sugar in your tea. But Gemma was smiling a bit. Thats strange, thought Kate.

I heard nothing. I was sleeping, Nick said to DCI Anderton. Casey went to the babys room and started screaming and I woke up. I ran into the room and saw Dita on the floor, dead.

Who took your son, do you think?

I have no idea.

Who has keys to your house?

Casey and I have keys, of course. And Gemma. And Dita had keys, Nick said.

My mums got keys, too, said Casey.

And do all these people know the ? The alarm didnt start when the kidnapper came in, said Anderton.

Yes, they know the code, said Nick.

Please stop asking us questions! Just find my baby! said Casey.

Mrs Fullman, believe me, my police officers are looking for your baby. But we need to understand everything. It will help us find him, answered Anderton.

Kate walked around the house and then into the garden. She stood on the grass and thought, Is the baby dead?

Anderton came out to see her. DS Redman, please go and Phillips now, he said.

Kate found Gemma in the home office, sat at a desk. Is she working? thought Kate. No, shes on Facebook!

Hi, Gemma, said Kate and she sat down. Can I ask you some questions?

No problem, answered Gemma.

How long have you worked for Mr Fullman?

Um nearly eight years.

And is he a good boss?

Hes ok. He makes me work very hard! Gemma said.

What is Mr Fullmans job?

Hes a businessman. His company builds and sells houses and flats.

How long have Mr and Mrs Fullman been married?

Oh, not long! said Gemma. Less than a year. She got before they married.