Travis leads them through a small hallway. The walls and ceiling are painted black. He takes them through to the club and bar area which is lit up with revolving red lights. It feels like the interior has never been aired as there is an overwhelming smell of sweat and stale booze mixed with domestic bleach, which makes Archer wrinkle her nose. Travis shows them through to the security office where the CCTV is installed. Sitting at a desk, he switches on a PC and indicates a directory of files.

‘We only have one month’s worth of backups. We don’t go back any further. These folders are dated. Click inside and run the file to view it.’

‘Thank you, Mr Travis.’

‘How long will this take?’

‘As long as we need it to take.’

Travis grunts again and leaves them to it.

Archer selects and plays the file dated from the last night that Elaine and Jackie visited the club. The footage is grainy and dark and shows people gathering, but there is no sign of Elaine or Jackie. One hour passes with nothing of interest. The fast beat of thumping music begins to thud through the walls. Travis re-enters. ‘Are you done yet?’

Archer and Quinn ignore him.

Quinn speaks. ‘I have a flash drive. Let me download these files and we can look them over with Pike and Toze later.’

‘Er . . . are you allowed to do that?’ asks Travis.

Archer doesn’t need to be persuaded. She had hoped the footage would provide a quicker answer, but thoughts of sitting in the office for the next few hours, listening to that pounding thud, is more than she can bear. ‘Good idea. Let’s give the file to Klara. I’m sure she’s got some wondrous software that might be able to pick out Elaine’s face.’

She turns to Travis. ‘Mr Travis, perhaps you and I could have a quick word while DS Quinn finishes up.’

‘I’m busy.’

‘Aren’t we all? Did you manage to speak to your boss?’

‘No . . . but I’ve left a message. He ain’t going to be happy.’

Archer gives a half smile and steps out of the office to an assault of pounding rap music. ‘We could really do with your help, Mr Travis.’ She takes out her phone and opens up the photo of Elaine and Jackie. ‘Do you recognise this woman on the left?’

Travis studies the picture for a moment with a blank expression.

‘She was a regular at this club,’ says Archer.

Travis nods. ‘I’ve seen her a few times. Nice girl. Friendly.’

‘Did you ever see her with a man?’

Travis thinks for a moment. ‘She was always with her girlfriends. They probably spoke to other men, not that I’d have noticed. This is a nightclub and people cop off with each other all the time. It’s not unusual.’