‘Meaning?’ Grace pressed.

‘Meaning the sighting of Eden Paternoster on the ferry is dubious, at best.’

‘So we can dismiss it?’

‘Pretty much, boss, yes. Doesn’t take us any further forward.’

‘But at least not backwards.’ Then Grace thought for a moment. ‘Still, we do know she has family connections on the Isle of Wight, so we need to find out who they are and have them interviewed. The fact that we are discounting this particular sighting doesn’t necessarily mean, should she still be alive, she hasn’t gone there by other means. There’s a car ferry and a catamaran, and there’s a small airport at Sandown – in the absence of a body, we need to establish for certain she’s not there. Have one of the team speak to the local police there and see if they can help us out with that.’

‘I’ll put someone on it.’

‘Good – OK, so we now focus back on Niall Paternoster as the prime suspect in a “no body” murder investigation?’

‘I think that’s the right call,’ Branson said. ‘I’ve spoken to the ACC, who sends his thoughts and prayers for Bruno’s recovery.’

‘Yup, well you can tell him it’s a bit late for that now.’

There was a long silence. Branson finally broke it. ‘Oh God, Roy – shit – boss – are you saying what I think?’

‘Bruno didn’t make it. There was no miracle.’

After a long silence, Branson said, ‘I’m so sorry, Roy. Want to talk about it?’

‘Not now, OK – just let Pewe know, will you?’

‘Of course. Will you let us have the details – you know – of the funeral when you have it?’

‘I will. But let’s just focus back on the case, I need a distraction for now. Any luck with getting surveillance?’

‘No joy for today, but Mark Taylor’s team look like they’ll be finished on a job sometime tomorrow or possibly Friday.’

‘He’s brilliant,’ Grace said. ‘Top man – too bad we can’t get him today, but Mark’s lot will pick it all up fast.’

‘How about a request to the Home Secretary for phone taps on Paternoster?’ Branson suggested.

‘No chance – we’d only get that if we could establish there was a life at risk. I don’t think I have any evidence currently to warrant any such application. What about the pollen lady?’

‘Helen Middleton’s starting tomorrow. She’s going to look at the foot pedals in Niall Paternoster’s car, plus his shoes which we’ve taken, and see if we can link him to the clothes we found at the deposition site. And we’ve arranged for the forensic archaeologist Lucy Sibun to attend. Lucy’s in court tomorrow giving evidence at the big drugs trial, but she’ll be at the site as soon as she can. Meanwhile, her junior colleague, Simon Davy, has made a start and will be carrying on first thing in the morning.’

Branson continued, ‘In addition, boss, knowing that we still have the Paternoster car, there is a chance he may hire another vehicle, so we’ve put out an alert with local hire companies.’