He saw a uniformed sergeant approaching him, talking on his radio. That familiar crackle made Will long to be part of it all again. He had been too young to retire, he missed the buzz, the excitement. It would have been different if Kate had been well, or if Emma had lived. Then he could have enjoyed a new life with his family. Right now, all he wanted was to be part of the action, chasing the bad guys. And not alone.

‘The super has asked me to thank you for letting us use Holland House as a meeting point, and for all the cups of tea you’ve given us.’ He paused, hesitated. ‘It’s now been more than twenty-four hours since Sophie went missing. You, of all people, know that doesn’t bode well for her. We’ve cast the net further, the nationals have been given her photograph and all the TV channels are carrying the story. I expect you’ve already seen the press hanging around, and I’m pretty sure you’ll be inundated with them before long. You know what things are like these days — the powers that be want quick results, and we saw no reason not to enlist the help of the media straightaway. I hope it’s not a problem to you?’

‘No. The more people you can reach out to, the more chance of finding someone who has seen her.’ Will was glad his wife wasn’t there to see her precious garden trampled by policemen’s boots.

‘I’ve just heard from the station — a witness has come forward who thinks she may have seen Sophie.’

Will fastened his eyes on the burly sergeant. ‘Yes? And?’

‘She’s only a kid herself, but she says she saw a young girl walking alone down a footpath across a field a mile or so outside the village. Seems she described her clothing in some detail. Kids are very clothes conscious, aren’t they?’

‘When was this?’

‘Yesterday, at about two o’clock. If she was on foot, it would be about right, timewise, from when she left the hotel.’

Will’s heart sank. It was too long ago. Anything could have happened to the child since then. He ran his fingers through his hair. But if it was her, then it did seem like she was heading in the direction of Whisper Fen. Yet, why come to the house that had scared her so badly? ‘Nothing since then?’

‘No. We’ve been to every house, farm, barn and derelict building for miles. No one has seen her, or anything suspicious.’

‘Someone has got her, Sergeant.’

‘We don’t know that for sure, Will. We have to keep our hopes up.’

‘I wonder how many times I’ve said that.’ He smiled sadly at the officer. ‘I was never brave enough to agree either.’