Paula interrupted. ‘What did you think of Dan the man?’

Okeke’s eyes took on wariness. ‘I thought he was straight up. Worried, a bit upset, but nothing that set my bells ringing. Did you think different?’

Paula pulled a face. ‘Not really, no. I just felt he was a tad evasive.’

Okeke swallowed half a tomato. ‘You have to factor in the way people get around cops. And around the opposite sex. I thought there might be more between him and Bev McAndrew than he was letting on, but he seemed more concerned than guilty to me.’ He speared a mushroom. ‘I know what you’re thinking. “That’s what people said about Ian Huntley during the Soham murder hunt.” And it might have been what the punters and the hacks said, but I bet it’s not what the cops said behind closed doors. We get a smell off the bad guys, don’t we?’

‘Not always,’ Paula said, recalling the killer who had come so close to ending her life. ‘But this time, I think you’re right.’

He nodded, satisfied. ‘I also did a formal interview with your nephew —’

‘My nephew?’ Paula squeaked.

Okeke looked surprised. ‘I thought with you and his auntie being civil partners, you’d think of Torin as your nephew too. Did I get that wrong?’

Her first thought was that Torin was a cheeky little bugger, telling lies to keep out of the hands of social services. Then it dawned on her that he was alone and afraid and clinging to her and Elinor because he didn’t really have anyone else. Hastily, she backtracked. ‘No, no, you’re fine. I never think of myself as an auntie, that’s all. More like a big sister.’ Her smile felt false. Okeke was trying to keep his face stern, but one corner of his mouth kept twitching in a half smile.

‘Anyway, I spoke to Torin but he didn’t have anything of substance to add to your report. To tell you the truth, I’m worried.’ It didn’t stop him shovelling another forkful of food in his mouth.

‘We all are.’ Paula sipped her coffee. ‘What’s your guv’nor saying?’

‘If she’s not turned up by tomorrow morning, he thinks we should do a media appeal. Not with Torin, obviously. Just a release with a photo and a request for sightings.’

Paula nodded. It was what she’d been going to suggest. ‘What’s your gut feeling?’

He wouldn’t meet her eyes, concentrating instead on cutting up a sausage. ‘Not good. Woman her age, no history of depression or abusive relationships, decent job, decent home, no significant debt that we can pinpoint. And a kid.’ He took a swig of coffee. ‘Women like that don’t generally take off. And they definitely don’t take off without their passport or their driving licence.’

‘I didn’t find the driving licence,’ Paula said.