‘We have a missing student. Now, I know all the reasons why a twenty-one-year-old would skip a few classes, but the Dean of the Uni believes that in this case, it’s too uncharacteristic to ignore. He is certain that she’s either met with an accident or has been taken by someone.’ The DI skimmed down a brief report with her index finger. ‘As the Dean coughs up regularly for our fund-raising projects, the Super thinks we should check her out. So, this is how I suggest we proceed. First, I’ll go speak to the Dean. Sergeant, you come with me. We’ll check out the girl’s living accommodation. I understand she lives on campus. If we are concerned, we’ll speak to her friends, then we’ll decide where to go from there. Meantime …’ she glared at Cat and Dave, ‘… if you two can manage to stay awake long enough, keep plugging away at those bloody masks!’

CHAPTER SIX

DR VILLIERS WAS in the foyer waiting for them. He moved quickly forward, hand outstretched.

‘Thank you for your time, officers. I know it’s not the normal procedure, but I really appreciate it. Please, come to my office, and I’ll explain why I’m so worried.’

Villiers was stick thin, but exuded energy. He gave the impression of being able to take on the London Marathon with no notice or training. Nikki and Joseph sat down, but he paced as he talked.

‘Brilliant student. Incredibly sensitive to light and shade. Kerry’s picture composition is almost a natural thing. The sort of young person who has, without doubt, chosen the right career to follow.’

Nikki’s usual impatience welled up. She wanted to get down to the nitty-gritty, but recognized that the man felt he should explain himself fully.

‘And that is one of the reasons that she just would not have missed the field trip to Derbyshire yesterday. The whole trip was organized around a particular place that she herself had designated as a superb spot for landscape photography. The pictures that she hoped to take were going to be used in her final presentation, in her portfolio. No way would she have missed it.’

‘Does she have any particular problems, sir?’

‘None that I know of, Inspector. She seems very well balanced.’

‘Friends? A particular friend here?’

‘She’s generally popular but, strangely, has no one that I would call a best friend.’ He frowned. ‘But I think that may simply be because she is so passionate about her course. She’s something of a rare breed, truly dedicated. Her supervisor has high hopes that Kerry will go a very long way.’

‘Boyfriend?’

‘No one from the University, but she does spend time with a young man from one of the marsh villages, I understand. I wouldn’t know if they were actually a couple, but frankly I’d doubt it.’