‘I mean, it’s just kids who seem to have these masks, and it’s not hard to get a kid to “fess up” if you lean on him a bit.’

‘I catch your drift. You mean that so far not one has as much as squeaked about where they come from. So…?’

‘So they really don’t know, do they? Which begs the question, what the hell is some adult doing scattering nasty masks around for kids to pick up?’

‘Niall Farrow reckons it’s a publicity stunt. Maybe the forerunner to some kind of new gimmick thing. You know, the “must have” gizmo of the month.’

‘So why give them away?’

‘A sprat to catch a mackerel. Get ’em hooked, then start charging the earth for them.’

‘Sorry, but I think that’s total crap,’ Cat snorted. ‘What sane parent is going to fork out good money to make their kid’s face look like roadkill?’

Dave grimaced. ‘For some of the little shites we get in here, it’d be an improvement.’

‘Maybe, but—’ Cat didn’t have the chance to finish as the desk phone shrilled out.

A moment or two later, she replaced the receiver and bit her lip. ‘That was the Guv’nor. She’s on her way back. She wants us in her office in ten minutes.’

Dave pulled a face. ‘That doesn’t sound too good. Is it about the missing girl?’

‘I think so, my chubby little friend. So, if you need a coffee or a bun, I’d go get it now. My gut feeling is we are going to be very busy.’

Nikki jumped out of the car, leaving Joseph to lock it and chase after her to the back door of the station. She knew that the sooner they acted the better the chance of finding the girl, and she was not going to waste one damned second. For once, the drug dealers slipped from her thoughts, and Kerry Anderson moved in.

She punched in the security number and pushed the door impatiently. ‘What was the name of that boy she spends her time with?’

‘Her “pod” neighbour said he’s called Kris, spelt with a “K”.’ Joseph breathed hard as he caught the door before it closed on him. ‘Lives in Barnby Eaudyke.’

‘Surname?’

‘Brown.’

‘Does her friend think they are lovers?’

‘Definitely not. She said they are just mates.’

‘Yeah, right. Well, I wonder if Mr Kris with a “K” sees it like that?’

As they ran up the stairs to the CID room, Nikki’s mind was already in overdrive. Kris Brown was obviously their starting point. And the parents needed to be told. And then …

‘Inspector Galena!’ A WPC ran up behind them. ‘Superintendent Bainbridge wants to see you right away, ma’am. He’s in your office.’

Without replying, Nikki turned and hurried down the corridor.

Rick Bainbridge stood up as they entered.