‘We can’t surrender it – it’s tied in for a couple of years and the paperwork’s at chambers. Look, Martha, just leave it with me – I’ll get the money somehow.’ Richard didn’t look his wife in the eyes as he spoke.

‘I can’t believe you would do this!’ Martha was almost screaming. ‘You’d better get down to chambers and get this sorted. If we don’t have the money our son might be killed – can’t you see that. Don’t you care?’

‘Of course I care and I’m doing everything possible to get the money together!’ Richard shouted as loud as his wife then walked out of the study and ran down the stairs. A few seconds later, Martha heard the front door slam. She was leaning on the wall, still in Richard’s study, and slowly slipped down to the floor, curled up and sobbed as she’d never done before.

9

DAY 2

It was the middle of the afternoon and there were no new developments, at least none the police were sharing with Martha and Richard. Richard had returned home and there was an uneasy silence between him and his wife – a necessary truce if only because they knew Suni was observing everything they did or said. Although Suni was ostensibly there to support and update them, Martha knew she would also be reporting on the atmosphere in the house. While tension was to be expected, a major argument between the couple would cause the police to look more closely at them which would be precious time wasted as far as she was concerned.

Radford and Foster returned to the house shortly after Richard arrived home, their expressions inscrutable.

‘What’s happened? Have you found him yet?’ Martha wanted the police to do more than constantly ask questions.

‘No, Martha, we haven’t but we have every available officer working on the case and believe me, when a child’s missing, every officer gives a hundred and ten per cent. The paperboy’s provided an e-fit picture of the man who approached him and I want you both to look at it to see if you recognise him.’ He handed them an artist’s impression of what could be anyone; regular features, mousey hair and grey eyes.

‘I’ve never seen him before,’ Richard declared.

‘No, neither have I,’ Martha agreed.

‘I’ll leave this copy with you, have a good look at it, it might be a casual acquaintance or someone you’ve seen hanging around perhaps?’ Alex Radford looked hopefully from Richard to Martha but they shook their heads.

Radford steered the conversation in another direction. ‘Richard, I wonder if you could tell me a little more about your work. I know you’re a barrister but what kind of law do you practise?’

Richard snapped at the detective. ‘However will talking about my work help to find Danny?’