Lewis scrunched up his face, still not ready to let it go. ‘There was no sign of an old woman from what I could see.’

‘Does it matter? It’s not like you searched the place. She could have been in another room or upstairs.’

‘Yeah, that’s what he said.’

‘There you go then. Is it of any relevance at all?’

He sipped his coffee. ‘No, probably not.’

Kesey opened a desk drawer, taking out a packet of individually wrapped chocolate biscuits. She took one herself before handing Lewis another. ‘There is one other thing I need to discuss with you.’

He sat himself down, mug in one hand, biscuit in the other. ‘Okay, I’m listening.’

‘I’ve had a DI Lee on the phone from the South Wales force.’

‘Arthur Lee?’

‘Yeah, that’s right, do you know him?’

Lewis nodded. ‘He grew up in this area. We played for the same rugby team back in the day as young men. He’s a good bloke and a good copper.’

‘He’s got a suspect for us.’

Lewis moved to the edge of his seat. ‘Does it sound hopeful?’

‘Um, yeah, it may do, or maybe not. They’ve arrested a delivery driver who attempted to abduct a seven-year-old boy from a public park in Cwmbran a couple of days back. His name’s Jerry Bridges, a thirty-three-year-old married man with a long history of child porn offences, but this one’s a first. It seems his offending has escalated. Fantasy isn’t enough for him any more.’

‘There’s any number of nasty little nonces out there. His MO isn’t a good fit for our case. Is there more to it?’

‘He’s remanded in Cardiff nick following a confession. He talked to his cellmate about Lottie’s abduction. He seemed excited by the idea, apparently. He said abducting and imprisoning a child was his greatest fantasy – something he’d like to make reality someday. The cellmate informed a guard, and it went from there. Arthur thought Bridges might be talking about something he’s already done. If he has, it likely means Lottie’s either already dead or alone. If he’s our man, we need to get him talking. If Lottie is alive, she’s not going to last for very long without food and water.’

Lewis took a second biscuit from the packet. ‘Is this Bridges character familiar with our patch?’

‘He was travelling through our area to and from Pembroke Dock at the relevant time. I had a quick word with his employer. He’s made the same journey numerous times in the past three years. He could have made a quick detour into Picton Street without any problem at all.’

He studied her. ‘Having said all that, you still don’t look convinced.’

Kesey shook her head, a forlorn expression on her face. ‘The fingerprints don’t match.’

‘What about DNA?’

‘We’re waiting on results. But I’m guessing it’s not going to be a match either.’

Lewis’s shoulders slumped. ‘Is it even worth me talking to the scrote?’

Kesey tried to look more positive than she felt. ‘He could be working with an accomplice. You know, two paedophiles offending together. It’s not unheard of. We can’t rule it out without checking.’