‘Do you have any idea where Leon might go?’

I really don’t know, she replied. I don’t know of any other family, and all of his friends are at the school.

If he’d gone to a friend’s house, their parents would have called the police by now, Liz replied.

I know, Sasha said, nodding sadly. That’s what I don’t understand. Where could he have gone?

Forest thanked the two women for their help and the two detectives had a quick conversation.

‘We’d like to go to the residence and take statements from the students now,’ Forest said, turning back to address the deputy head. ‘I understand it’s an upsetting time for them, but they’re probably the people who knew Leon best, and maybe one of them has remembered something. We’d also like to see Leon’s room.’

I’ll come with you, Sasha signed, following us to the door.

Liz nodded. Yes, please. I’d like Sasha to be present when you speak to the students, in place of a parent.

The five of us walked out of the room and across the lobby to the front door. Before we reached it, Mike came in from outside.

Miss Marcek, can I speak to you please? he signed, throwing a nervous glance at the detectives.

Of course. Sasha, you can take the police over, can’t you?

Before they disappeared back into her office, Mike smiled at me. I thought back to his phone call the previous night – had he really changed?

Chapter 8

The residence was a purpose-built block behind the main house. When Anna had been a student here, this hadn’t yet been built, and her friends who were residential students had rooms in the main building, above the classrooms. She used to tell me stories of how her friends would creep down into the classrooms at night, although I always thought those tales were probably made up to make the non-residents jealous. Children have always had a fascination with schools after hours, and I was sure these kids were no exception.

As we entered the building, Sasha pointed out the security features. There was a camera above the entrance, as well as a key fob entry system. She let us in, and once we were inside there was another security door before we were in the main communal area. She told us the students’ rooms all locked too, for privacy, although staff had spare keys in order to access them in emergencies.

‘We’ll have a look at Leon’s room first, I think,’ Forest said.

Sasha led us through a door to some stairs. At the top of the stairs we turned right down a short corridor, where the social worker pulled out some keys and let us into a room.

This room’s his. He’s not the tidiest, but then what fifteen-year-old is?