‘The kids seem to be fine, for the moment,’ Rory said. ‘Although I’m going to recommend that they see a doctor for a physical – and a tox screen as well – and then that they see a paediatric psychiatrist, as well as a counsellor. They’re going to need strategies to cope with this.’

‘I agree,’ Matt said. ‘And did you learn anything?’

‘Well,’ Rory said. ‘I thought it was interesting that the voice was high pitched. I don’t think we can rule out this being a woman.’

Wynne nodded slowly. ‘I agree,’ she said.

‘Anything else?’ Matt said.

‘I’m afraid not,’ Wynne said. ‘I’m afraid that at the moment there is very little to go on. But we have other lines of enquiry.’ She got to her feet and glanced at her watch. ‘DS Dudek should be here shortly. We’re going to want to talk to your brother-in-law, if that’s OK?’

Wynne

1

Mike Anderson sat in the armchair. Wynne was on the sofa with Dudek; she would have preferred to be at the station. She didn’t think Anderson was hiding anything, but you never knew, and she was of the opinion that people felt under more obligation to tell the truth when they were sitting at a table in a police interview room than when they were in an armchair in a family member’s house.

‘Thank you, Mr Anderson,’ she said. He looked dreadful, his eyes red and his cheeks hollow. ‘We’ll make this as quick as we can.’

‘Take all the time you want,’ he said. ‘If it helps find Annie then it’s fine by me.’

‘Where were you on Saturday evening?’ Wynne said.

‘I was here, from about nine thirty,’ Mike said. ‘Earlier on I was at the gym – near my home on the Wirral – and then I went for a drink with a friend.’

‘Who was the friend?’ Dudek said.

‘Duncan. He goes to my gym.’

‘His last name?’

‘Telford.’

‘We’d like to talk to him,’ Dudek said. ‘So if you could pass along his details, that would be appreciated.’

‘Checking my alibi?’ Mike said.

‘It’s standard practice, Mr Anderson,’ Wynne said. ‘Nothing more than that. After you had a drink with Mr Telford, what did you do?’

‘I went home, which was when Matt called me to ask me to come here.’

Wynne folded her arms. ‘How long have you known Mr Westbrook?’

‘Since he met Annie. Maybe fifteen years?’

‘And you and him have always got along well?’ Dudek asked.

‘Yeah. Matt’s a great guy.’

‘No fallings out?’

Mike shook his head. ‘No. Nothing that stands out.’

‘Did he ever mention anyone to you that he had fallen out with?’ Wynne said.

‘No. Matt’s a pretty friendly guy. Everyone likes him. You’ve only seen him in these circumstances, but if you met him in the normal day-to-day, you’d know what I mean. He’s funny, kind, relaxed.’