‘No. Keep self to self. Best way.’ He tapped his nose.

Dan was weaving between the café tables, waving a book in the air, so I handed the owner my contact card. ‘Thank you. If you think of anything useful, please call us.’

‘Let’s go,’ Dan said. His pale face looked strained and he was clutching a different address book. He turned me round and bundled me towards the door. Once we were on the street, and out of earshot of the café, he stopped. ‘I’ve got several places to contact. Most of the names in her address book are men. She also has the numbers for half the cheap hotels in London.’

‘As in she’s an escort?’ I said.

‘Or masseuse. Something like that.’

‘So, Simas Gudelis could have been a client?’

‘Or even the baby’s father.’

‘Christ. Poor Indra. This is going to be an awful shock for her. So much for a fresh start for the two of them.’ I was thinking about Abbie. ‘Still no mention of the girl’s father anywhere? Photos of her with a man?’

Dan shook his head, his expression a grimace. ‘The analysts can go through Kelly’s contacts more closely. I’ve got the numbers of everyone whose details seem linked to child care. There are two companies and four babysitters. I’m going to start ringing round as soon as we are in the car.’

‘Right, I’m calling it,’ I said. ‘We need to launch a manhunt. The clock’s been ticking since Friday and we’re running out of time.’

Maya, 1 p.m.

Maya, 1 p.m.

‘Good afternoon. I’m Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Lawson.’ Her expression was grave. ‘A manhunt is underway for four-year-old Abbie Turner, who has been missing since Friday morning.’

We were back at the station, watching the press conference live on television.

‘Her mother, Kelly Turner, has been identified as the second victim in the arson attack which took place in the Brick Lane shop on Friday afternoon. Ms Turner lived in Romford.’

At the bottom of the screen, an image appeared. A fair-haired woman was standing in a kitchen. She had a nose-stud and pink tufts in her hair and was leaning over a little girl with brown hair in bunches. The girl was crouching in between her mum’s feet, trying to pull white plastic sunglasses off her mother’s head. The two of them were roaring with laughter.

A gasp curled round the room.