‘Bottom field. By the Amber Fen drain. As I said, it’s just a wreck of an old barn, and I’m preparing to demolish it.’

Nikki wanted to ask him to describe the girl, but the two revving engines meant she would have to wait and see for herself.

Nigel Grieves checked that she was ready, then accelerated out on to the narrow path across the fields.

Joseph spun his bike around, and with considerable skill, caught them up.

It may have only taken about three minutes, but the track was rough and uneven, and, as Nikki hung on grimly, she wondered if they would ever get there. Finally the dark, dilapidated hulk of a barn drew closer, and she began to worry.

Would it be Kerry Anderson, or Lisa Jane, or maybe another girl, one they didn’t even know about? Whoever it turned out to be, Nikki was not looking forward to walking into the gloom and seeing a dead youngster. She swallowed hard. After everything that had happened in the past, she was going to need every ounce of her strength just to walk in there at all, and as the bike pulled up, her feelings of deep concern turned into dread.

A silence fell over the vast landscape. In the distance she could see the Wash, glistening and sparkling. A light breeze whispered across her skin, and she stared at the decrepit old barn. This disgusting, decaying building was not fit to be the last resting place of a lovely young woman, no matter who she was.

‘She’s at the back. Laying on some old hay bales.’ Nigel Grieves’ voice held a hollow tone. ‘I’d rather not go in again, if you don’t mind. I’m no coward, mind you, but I’ve got kid’s of my own, and …’

Joseph leaned forward and gripped the man’s shoulder. ‘We’ll take it from here, sir. No need to see more than you have already.’ He gave the man a serious kind of smile, then added, ‘Would you go back to the farmhouse and wait for our colleagues? This is a pretty remote spot. I would think it’ll take them about fifteen to twenty minutes from town.’ He looked around. ‘I assume there is no other way to get out here?’

The man shook his head. ‘No. The sea-bank veers around towards the coast about a mile back. The way we came is the only route, I’m afraid. And you won’t get any normal vehicle out here either, you’ll need something that’ll go off-road.’

‘You get back, sir. We’ll radio in and get a four by four.’

‘You’re welcome to use some of the farm vehicles.’ Nigel Grieves climbed back on to the quad bike. ‘Eh … there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned.’ He paused and looked at them, suddenly uncertain of himself.