Patrick hadn’t heard it called that for years. Feeling old, he said, ‘What about harder stuff?’

Sean sighed. ‘I don’t know. No parent really knows what their kids get up to, do they? But I do know that Alice didn’t have anything to do with Frankie’s disappearance. She would tell us if she knew anything. She loves her sister more than anything.’

‘So why has she run off?’ Helen asked.

‘Because,’ he said in an exasperated tone, ‘she’s sick and tired of everyone blaming her. As am I.’

Silence settled over the room. Patrick thought hard. All this speculation wasn’t getting them anywhere. Helen and Sean didn’t know a thing. Alice was a teenager; it was like having an alien living in their house, a being they would never fully know or understand. The police had to focus on finding her.

‘OK . . . Any idea where she might have gone? Does she have access to any other properties? Any distant friends or relatives she might have gone to stay with? Anywhere at all that you can think of?’

The answers were negative.

‘What about her phone?’ Sean asked. ‘Can’t you trace it?’ Before Patrick could reply, he added, ‘I’ve tried ringing her a dozen times, and her phone is going straight to voicemail, as if it’s turned off. But can’t you trace phones even if they are switched off?’

‘We can. But not if the battery has been removed. We’ll try though.’

His own phone rang. It was Suzanne, no doubt wanting an update. He rejected the call and said, ‘That’s it for now. If you think of anywhere Alice might have gone, or if you hear anything from her, please let me know immediately. And it would also be useful to have a list of her friends.’

‘I’ll do that for you,’ Helen said. She looked completely drained.

‘Thank you.’

He left the house and walked a little way down the street, before calling Suzanne back. As he waited for her to answer, he looked back at the Philipses’ house. A week ago, it would have been vibrant, noisy, full of mess and energy.

Now it was a silent, empty nest.

Chapter 31

Chapter 31
Winkler – Day 5