Archie did not flinch under the unblinking gaze. ‘Ah, we’re a big family, Sergeant. With a lot of friends. Since the moment my niece disappeared, my other children have been watched as carefully as newborn babies. There will still be plenty of time and personnel to sort out our problem.’

‘Then help us, Mr Leonard.’ Joseph leaned forward. ‘Think what a combined team could achieve. You have the knowledge on ground level, and we have a whole army of experts and equipment in every field.’

‘He’s right, Archie. We’ve got the technology, and you’ve got street intelligence. And don’t give me that old crap about the family not listening to you. They love and respect you, and the bottom line is what you say goes.’ Nikki looked earnestly at him. ‘Work with us. I promise I’ll hold nothing back, if you and the other Leonards keep us in the loop here on the estate.’

Archie rubbed his forehead, but said nothing.

‘I suppose there may be something else we can do, sir.’ Joseph sat back and looked thoughtful. He looked to Nikki more like a successful plastic surgeon discussing a nip and tuck than a detective on a murder case.

‘And that is?’

It was Joseph’s turn to remain silent for a moment, and Nikki wondered what plan he was hatching.

‘We may, we just may be able to keep Lisa Jane’s name from the media. If you could see your way to assisting us, that is.’

Nikki let out a loud breath. ‘Hold on, Joseph! How the dickens do you suppose we’re going to manage that? Promising something that’s damn near impossible is a big mistake!’

‘I never said the word “promise”, ma’am. But we could try, couldn’t we?’

‘Could you?’ asked Archie solemnly.

‘Would you help us, if we did?’ came back Joseph.

‘Before you answer, Archie, there’d be no guarantees,’ butted in Nikki. ‘If the grapevine gets hold of it, or if someone offers a hefty backhander, well, it’s all over. You know that.’

Archie Leonard looked thoughtfully at her. ‘I’ll speak to the family. No promises, but I’ll try, and you do all you can to keep her name from the press. Deal?’

Nikki took the outstretched hand. ‘Deal.’

It wasn’t the first time she’d formed a liaison with this particular part of the underworld, but such a gamble often came at a cost. She looked at Archie Leonard’s troubled blue eyes and hoped the risk would be worth it. Then, as she released Archie’s hand, a picture of Kerry Anderson swam before her, and she knew it was.