The chief superintendent smiled thinly. ‘It’s good to see some passion on your part, Laura. I very much approve. Let’s hope that enthusiasm engenders positive results sooner rather than later.’

‘I’ve had an architect assess the photos from a building perspective.’

His eyes widened. ‘And?’

‘She couldn’t help us as much as I’d hoped she would.’ Halliday sighed, exhaling with a groan.

‘Why the hell not?’

‘She thought the pictures were likely taken in an attic room, and that the room has been adapted at some time in the last thirty years or so. We can say that there’s been a conversion, but it’s not possible to identify the age or type of property. In short, we know it’s not a new build, but that’s about it.’

‘That is extremely disappointing. Is it worth asking someone else to look at them for us? Someone with a greater degree of experience or seniority, perhaps?’

‘Have you actually seen the photos?’

Halliday checked his watch for a second time, pushing up his sleeve. ‘No, I can’t claim that I have. That’s your job; I have other responsibilities. I can’t concern myself with the minutiae.’

‘Well, if you had seen them, you’d know they’re all focused on Lottie and the cage she’s imprisoned in, taken from different angles. We only get glimpses of the room, nothing more.’

‘Well, in that case, what about the cage? Can’t we find out where it was sourced? It seems an obvious enquiry. There can’t be many places selling that type of thing.’

Kesey shifted uneasily in her seat. ‘Do you really think I haven’t thought of that?’

‘Just focus on the facts, Laura. I asked you for an update, not a discussion.’

Kesey shook her head slowly, first one way and then the other. ‘It could be an animal cage, for large dogs, for example. Or there’s a number of companies based mainly in Germany and The Netherlands that produce metal cages for bondage enthusiasts. I’m of the view that our cage is more likely to be in that second category. We’ve undertaken extensive enquiries, and those enquiries are ongoing. Some firms are reluctant to share information; others claim not to keep records. As of now, we have been unable to identify any orders delivered to this area. If we do succeed in finding any purchases that match that in the photographs taken by the abductor, you’ll be the first to know.’

‘Anything else?’

‘We’ve installed motion-sensitive cameras at the Wellers’ property. I still think we should have an officer at the house full time. But the cameras are a second-best given your refusal.’

‘The abductor has accessed the house twice already. I can’t imagine he’d be stupid enough to visit again.’

‘But he could do. Isn’t that the point?’

‘Budgets are tight, as I’ve already told you. Difficult decisions are a burden of senior rank. We can’t do everything. You may learn that one day if you ever get that far.’

‘Austerity? You sound like a politician You’ll be blaming Brexit next.’