‘Sorry to interrupt, sir.’ The big frame of Jack Conway, the duty sergeant, appeared in the doorway. ‘I’ve had the Dean of the Fenland University on the blower. One of his third-year students is missing. She’s twenty-one, apparently, and I told him the score regarding mispers, but he wondered if you’d give him a ring. Said you know him.’

The superintendent frowned. ‘Mm, I do. Did he leave a number, Jack?’

‘Yes, sir, got it right here.’ The sergeant handed him a note and left.

As Nikki made to follow him, the Super called her back. ‘Hang fire, Nik. Let’s just check this out. I’ve known Kenneth Villiers for years. He’s been a staunch supporter of everything we’ve been trying to do with the youth of Greenborough, both financially and with practical help. One thing I do know about him is that he’s not the type to panic over one wayward student.’

For several minutes Nikki listened to a one-sided telephone conversation, but from the Super’s tone, and the grave expression on his face, she knew he was taking everything that he was being told very seriously. After a while, he slowly replaced the receiver in its cradle and said, ‘I don’t like the sound of this. I’m aware this young woman is not considered at risk, or indeed even vulnerable, but Dr Villiers is quite certain that something has happened to the girl.’

‘What’s the situation?’

‘Her name is Kerry Anderson, she’s twenty-one years old, in her last year taking a BA in photography. Star pupil, preparing to go on to postgraduate level. Apparently she went out late on Monday night, which is not unusual, but she failed to show up for a field trip yesterday, which was very unusual.’

Nikki thought carefully, then said, ‘Well, I know we’d normally refer him to the Missing Person’s Bureau, but if this Villiers is such an important benefactor, would you like me to make a few low-key enquiries?’

The superintendent flashed her a concerned glance. ‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’

She leaned forward, knowing full well that the Super was remembering the old case that nearly sent her off the rails. ‘I’m okay with it, honestly.’ Her eyes pierced him with their intensity, then she lowered her voice to almost a whisper. ‘Please don’t keep protecting me from every case that involves young women. I have my new sergeant as from today, and all I’m doing, apart from my constant battle with the drug dealers, is playing with bloody Halloween masks! Let’s face it, sir, ten to one, your student has buggered off with the boyfriend and discovered that nookie is far more fun than seminars, tutorials and lectures.’ She mustered a pathetic smile and pleaded. ‘Please, Super, let me do this.’