‘What if he staged his own abduction, so that he can disappear with the money?’ Rainy asked.

Gillard nodded. ‘That had occurred to me. I’d already requested a financial order on Arrowsmith’s accounts with Thames Valley Police. That should come through later today.’

‘What about the Willow women?’ Rainy asked. ‘Crystal Willow left her home at the same time as Ozzy Blanchard disappeared. She is apparently still in contact with her sister and daughter. Aye, there is something not quite right about it.’

Townsend raised his arm. ‘I’ve just started to go through the messages and emails on Crystal Willow’s burner phone. Most of them don’t tell us very much, as they were clearly being careful. One from Rowena warns her mother that the police have been asking about Oz, presumably Ozzy Blanchard. “Say 0” is the reply. One message sent by Crystal to her sister Vicky was, “I’ve got my hands dirty quite enough, thank you.”’

Gillard sighed. ‘Hmm. Suspicious without being incriminating. Keep digging, see what else you find.’

Townsend nodded. ‘The triangulation on Crystal’s new phone showed that she moved around a fair bit; we got her located on three different campsites in the last week. I’ve sent Thames Valley images of Ozzy Blanchard to take around to the sites in case anyone recalls him travelling with Crystal, even though he may not be now.’

‘That’s good work,’ Gillard said. ‘Now I’ve one final decision to make, whether to let Rev Cleaver back into his house.’

Townsend shook his head. ‘I need more time on his devices. I’ve got three technicians and they’re all snowed under with stuff from the Tickett homes, tracing messages on the Willow women and so on. I had thought we could leave Cleaver’s stuff until last.’

‘We can’t do everything at once,’ Gillard said. ‘Finding Arrowsmith has to be our priority. As for Cleaver, he’s been cautioned but not charged, and I’ve only got a day or so left to keep him in a cell. As CSI has finished with his house and garden I can’t see a reason not to let him return. But let’s keep an eye on him.’