‘These are worse,’ Jack said grimly. ‘Because you’re right, if this gang comes up against a homeowner, things could get out of hand very quickly.’ Jack glanced at Oaks and noted the new worry on his face. ‘But burglars always exhibit patterns of behaviour. What we need to do is find the pattern your guys are leaving behind. Then we can get ahead of them.’

The Fox Hunters was an old sandstone building with wonky walls and small, cross-hatched leaded windows that no longer fitted into their frames. In the reception area, the exposed stonework and wooden beams were tastefully maintained and minimally decorated . . . but in the bar, the homage to the past had gone into overdrive. The walls here were almost completely covered with sepia photos, horse brasses and tack, and old leather ‘things’ that Jack couldn’t even begin to identify. But the deliberately antiquated feel of the place was in stark contrast to its current incumbent, the 20-year-old, much-tattooed Blair, who looked exactly like a pretty, feminine version of DC William Oaks.

Jack sat on a narrow, creaky bench to call Maggie whilst his new best mate booked him in. Maggie quickly answered, told him to FaceTime, then hung up.

Hannah’s face filled the entire screen! ‘Can you see her?’ Maggie’s voice was unnecessarily loud. ‘Say hello to Daddy.’ Jack looked around the bar. It was scattered with older men nursing pints and reading the newspaper whilst on a long lunch and they could hear Maggie as clearly as Jack could. ‘Hello, Daddy. Talk to her, Jack. She knows your voice.’

‘Mags,’ Jack whispered, unsuccessfully trying to turn the volume down on his mobile, ‘Mags, I’m not talking to the baby. I’m not . . . Mags, please.’ Jack glanced up to see Oaks dipping under the doorframe and openly sniggering at him. ‘I’m hanging up, Mags.’

*

Back at the station, Jack told Gifford that he’d like to start at the beginning by re-interviewing one of the very first victims, Maisie Fullworth, as she was their one and only eye-witness to any of the burglaries. Gifford shook his head. ‘Can’t. Maisie’s a delicate girl and has a very overprotective mum. Currently, she’s with her aunt in Swindon.’ Jack’s face showed little sympathy. He accepted that Maisie was only 15 at the time of the burglary, and it would have undoubtedly been traumatic to wake and find a man standing in her bedroom. But that was back in 2018. ‘This is a perfect example of what we’re up against, Jack,’ Gifford explained. ‘Mrs Fullworth is a high court judge in Oxford. If she says we can’t interview Maisie, then we can’t interview Maisie. Her statement’s here, but that’s all you’ll be getting. Oaks!’

Oaks interpreted the booming of his name as an instruction to relay Maisie’s statement.