‘Are you sure we’ll be welcome?’ Sam hissed back, wondering why on earth she was there. Before he could answer, Sam heard the locks sliding back. Dana Black held the door wide open and ushered them in–Gerry must have placed a call before they got there and she seemed to be expecting them. They followed her along the original tiled floor, through a stripped pine wooden door that had been waxed until it glowed. A fire was blazing in the drawing room and a low oak table was set in front of it. Sam stared at the assortment of food in front of her amidst the perfect domestic scene, and Dana noted her hungry eyes. ‘It’s all out of a shop, I’m afraid, dear. I wasn’t expecting guests, but I keep a few things in the freezer just in case.’ She smiled at Sam and pointed to the food. ‘Help yourself.’

Sam grabbed a slice of pizza before sitting down on the red velvet, overstuffed couch. Gerry widened his eyes; he flicked them towards the pile of side plates and napkins. Evidently Dana was house-proud. Sam picked up a plate and started piling the food high.

‘Dana is head teacher of St Mary’s Primary School,’ Gerry said. ‘Just go with me on this one–you gave me the idea, but I think you’ll find we could get a lot from this.’

‘I was very upset to hear the news about Matthew, obviously,’ Dana interrupted. ‘But when I saw the CCTV footage, I felt as if I’d been kicked in the stomach…it’s enough to sicken anyone.’ Sam had no idea what was going on–she and Gerry had worked well and quickly under immediately difficult circumstances, but why was he introducing her to his family–ex-family, to be precise–at a time like this?

Dana was continuing. ‘Gerry when you called and told me about the little boy breaking all the school windows, I did what you said and thought about how kids like that get through the system. What happens to them and what information do teachers have that never necessarily gets any attention. I thought the quickest way to find any problem children in the area would be to ask the teachers. I haven’t had much time…’ This was an understatement in Sam’s mind. It had been just over an hour since she and Gerry had first spoken about that one little boy, and this woman was already working fast enough to put the task force to shame. ‘…But I called the teachers in my school as quickly as I could, made a shortlist, and then phoned the heads of the other schools for the names that kept coming up related to our boys and girls.’ Dana pushed a piece of A4 paper across the table towards Sam and Gerry. ‘It’s not very PC,’ she shrugged, and weakly smiled an apology.