‘No, Inspector. I’ve never heard of either of those women. Are they missing too?’ Kris Brown looked haggard. He had three days’ stubble on his face, and his eyes were red and sore.

Nikki stared at him and tried to decide whether his rough look was due to honest concern, or guilt. Finding no sure answer, she sidestepped his question about Lisa Jane and Frankie Doyle, and continued with her interview.

‘And do you know of a student, a guy named Lewis?’

‘Lewis is another third-year on the photography programme. He’s a pod neighbour to Kerry.’

‘You’ve met him?’

‘Once or twice when I’ve been visiting the Hub.’

Nikki looked down at her notebook. ‘He said you’d been mugged. Is that true?’

Kris looked up with interest. ‘Yeah. But how…?’ He shrugged and answered his own question. ‘I suppose Kerry must have told him.’

‘And did you report it?’

He shrugged again. ‘No point. I wasn’t hurt. And although they nicked my wallet, it didn’t have much in it, and I found it again, in the gutter about 100 yards down the road.’

‘Would you recognize them if you saw them again?’

‘Oh sure. Attractive faces, part rat, part cadaver, I’d say. I’d recognize them anywhere.’

Nikki’s mind raced. Was it just another mask-related petty crime, or was there a connection somewhere between the masked gangs and Kerry’s abduction? Whatever, she was in no mood for Kris Brown’s sarcasm. ‘Don’t be clever with me, Mr Brown,’ she hissed. ‘In case you’ve forgotten, your little friend is still missing, and I’d rather be spending my time looking for her than listening to your snide digs! Now stick to answering the questions, all right?’

‘Sorry.’ Kris looked as if he were about to cry. ‘But I’m as worried as you! I’ve been to every place that we used to go together. Every place that she liked for atmospheric pictures. Every place that I can think of. I’ve walked half the length of the coastline, and nothing! I’m exhausted, but as you say, she’s still missing, and I have to find her.’

His outburst caught Nikki off guard, and for the first time she wondered whether Kris Brown was genuine.

She thought for a moment, then changed the subject. ‘Where did a young bloke like you get the money for all that super-fancy star-gazing equipment?’

He frowned. ‘If it’s any of your business, Inspector, that’s what happens when someone dies and leaves you twenty grand in their will.’

‘Very nice!’ said Nikki. ‘That really enabled you to indulge in your pastime on a grand scale, didn’t it?’

When Kris spoke, his voice was cold and his words clipped. ‘Oh sure, it’s very nice. But frankly, Inspector, I’d rather have my father back. Now, are we done?’