‘That makes a kind of sense, but where’s the evidence to support it?’ Eileen repeated, sounding anything but pleased about the way the discussion was going. ‘From no leads at all, we’re suddenly swamped with theories, and awash with a variety of vaguely plausible suspects. We need to know what happened to that baby. We need proof of what went on. And we need to find her soon.’

David and Jason appeared to have been killed by different people, which meant that, although the victims were closely related, their murders could have been carried out independently of each other. The situation was further complicated by Jason having been killed at around the time Daisy had gone missing.

‘We’re going to have to treat these three cases as separate crimes and look into each one rigorously and quite independently. If in the course of our investigations we discover a link between them, so much the better. But let’s not assume anything, please. Evidence before speculation. And Daisy’s disappearance must take precedence over everything else,’ Eileen concluded. ‘To that end, we need to do everything possible to find out the identity of her father, and we need to speak to him urgently.’

She didn’t add that perhaps Daisy was alive and well and being cared for by her biological father, although everyone in the room must have been nursing that hope.

As soon as the briefing finished, Geraldine went to speak to Anne who, predictably enough, denied knowing that Jason was not Daisy’s father.

‘That’s a preposterous suggestion,’ Anne replied indignantly on being told the truth.

Sloppily dressed in a faded tracksuit, her hair greasy, she was mourning for her husband, or else pining for her granddaughter. Perhaps both. Geraldine couldn’t help feeling sorry for her, despite her attempts to retain professional distance from Anne’s circumstances.

‘I’m not saying Jason wasn’t a good father,’ Geraldine said hurriedly. ‘But we have to pursue every possible avenue in our efforts to find Daisy, and DNA evidence proves that Jason wasn’t your granddaughter’s biological parent.’

Anne glared at her. ‘Well, I think you should concentrate on looking for whoever killed my husband and not start fabricating nasty stories about my daughter. I’d like you to leave now, please.’

‘I’m only telling you the situation –’

‘Please leave my house.’

Annoyed with herself for having mishandled the interview, Geraldine returned to the police station. Somehow, since Ian had come back to live with her, she seemed to be losing her grip at work. Resolving to be more careful, she sat down at her desk.

‘You’re looking cheerful,’ Ariadne said. ‘Do you fancy having lunch later?’

‘Sure,’ Geraldine replied, although she would have preferred to eat with Ian.

As it happened, Ian came over as Geraldine and Ariadne sat down together in the canteen.

‘Do you mind if I join you?’