The woman squeezed and Kelly felt a nail go into her skin. She was aware that she had no idea about the medical history of this stranger, and so she tried to get from her grasp. She used her free hand to aid her. Rob came to her help and the whole time they grappled with the woman’s hand, she made no sound, and didn’t blink. Finally, Kelly’s arm came free and she rubbed it. Her skin wasn’t broken. She caught the woman’s eye and tried to hold her gaze. Up close she gave the appearance of being around the twenty mark. Her face was plump and innocent: she could even be a juvenile. They hadn’t found any ID or personal items on the field and so they still didn’t know. The woman sat back and stared into the distance.

Kelly sat in the chair next to the bed and Rob remained stood. The woman glanced at him and Kelly observed her eyes linger: she had feelings. Kelly guessed that she was sexually mature. ‘Can I show you this book?’ Kelly asked, taking a book out of her bag. It was a baby naming book and had thousands of names on its pages. The woman didn’t respond.

‘Let’s see,’ Kelly said. ‘You look like a Charlotte, or Emily. My stepdaughter is called Josie and I’ve got a niece called Ria. They’re lovely names. Haven’t you got somebody who misses you? A sister perhaps? A mum and dad?’

At the mention of family, the woman – or girl – flicked her vision squarely to Kelly’s face and stared at her as if she was offended.

‘So, perhaps you can’t remember Mum and Dad?’

The girl’s lips curled in a grimace and Kelly realised that the muteness was a choice, not a cerebral outcome. The girl was hiding something, and she was terrified of it. And it was something to do with her mother and father.

Chapter 6

‘If she’s run away from an abusive relationship, then there won’t be a missing person’s report.’ Rob followed Kelly to the canteen and listened to her fire off her thoughts.

‘Abusive parental relationship?’ he asked.

‘Same. They won’t want her found.’

‘Agree, guv.’

‘She could stay anonymous forever, we’ve got to find a way in.’

They reached the café and ordered coffee and pastries. Having spent a mere week on location in London investigating a case in June, Kelly had become partial to the odd city snack containing caffeine and sugar.

‘There’s a criminal psychologist I used to work with in the Met, I’m going to try and get hold of her. She broke a few of our cases back in the day.’