“You were right. It wasn’t long after you left that Jason Bartlett came out of the house, made a quick call on his mobile and then met up with Chris Myers at the end of his street.”

“So it’s the kids, not the parents. Well, well. Where did they go? The park’s still taped off and under guard, isn’t it?”

“Yes. They went to The Oak, sat in the beer garden, had quite a long natter.”

“Any sign of Lisa or the parents? Granville Myers?”

“None. Just Chris and Jason. I couldn’t hear what was going on—I didn’t dare get too close for fear they’d notice me—but they seemed to be arguing on the way down there. It looked as if Jason was panicking and Chris was trying to calm him down. There was a bit of arm-waving, and at one point they stopped while Chris held Jason by the shoulders, gave him a good shake and seemed to be trying to make a point. But I couldn’t get any closer, guv. They know who I am. They’d have spotted me.”

“That’s OK. I think we’d better make our move first thing in the morning, though, don’t you?” said Banks. “Give them both a chance to spend a sleepless night with their consciences, if they have any, then bring them both in. With any luck, we should have some lab results from Jazz by then. Even if we don’t, I can’t risk either of them making a run for it. Or give them time to clean up the car anymore than they probably have done already. Let’s put an officer on watching the Myers garage, just in case. We’ll want their computers and mobiles, too. There should at least be evidence of Jason’s racist activities in his Internet browser usage. I think we’ve got enough to get the boys talking if we employ a bit of creativity here and there, push them to the edge. One of them is bound to crack. We’ll need to arrange for duty solicitors to be available if we don’t want any delays, too. OK?”

“Right you are, guv,” said Gerry. “I’ll get right on it.”

“And Gerry?”

“Guv?”

“Good work. Soon as you’ve got things arranged, get a good night’s sleep. You’ll need it.”

Chapter 15

15