‘That’s the one. Our techies are checking out some violent porno computer game. There’s a definite link, and they’re trying to trace its inventor. We know he’s local, and he stole some poor unsuspecting website designer’s identity to do it.’

‘Sounds probable. It’s just the sort of thing some of the young yobbos around here would love. Anything brutal, vicious or nasty.’ He shook his head. ‘I think I’m getting old, Nikki. I don’t have the stomach for all this any more.’

‘You never did, my friend. Well, not gratuitous violence for the sake of it.’ She smiled at him. ‘As you rightly said, you needed brains to get to the top, not just skill with a flick knife. But I really have to go. We’ll speak later.’

She stood up and pushed her chair back under the table. ‘Take care, Archie.’

‘And you, Nikki. Especially if Frankie Doyle is back.’

The 4 p.m. meeting brought them no closer to finding Kerry, and the enquiries regarding the elusive Fluke were inconclusive. In fact, there was considerable disagreement between the reports.

Afterwards, Nikki sat with Joseph in her office and tried to make sense of it.

‘Conflicting descriptions, and nothing concrete at all,’ Nikki grumbled. ‘I’m beginning to wonder if this Fluke is a figment of our collective imagination.’

‘Mm, the Carborough’s own urban myth.’ Joseph absent-mindedly picked a speck of fluff from his jacket sleeve. ‘And it’s frustrating to only have an out-of-date picture of Frankie Doyle. Young women, and please excuse the generalization, have a tendency to follow fashion and alter their appearance every time they step outside.’

‘No offence taken. I totally agree with you. Our Cat is a prime example. What I find amazing is that a wicked bitch like Frankie has managed to stay out of our clutches for so long.’

‘Maybe she decided not to dirty her own doorstep. She may be working another county, under a different name.’

Nikki wasn’t convinced, but left it there. ‘How did you get on with young Mickey Smith after I left?’

Joseph’s face lit up. ‘I reckon that boy will open up a treat. I didn’t push him, but he’s starting to relax with me. And I get the feeling he could be a chatterbox, which would be useful.’

‘Who’s with him now?’

‘Two woodentops, until I get back. I promised I’d get him a couple of his favourite comics and drop them in when I finish.’

‘I need to get a dedicated Victim Support Officer over there soon. Got any ideas about who would be suitable?’

‘I’ll sound out his relationship with his family, then we’ll see what he needs, if that’s okay?’