Will stood motionless while around him the various players milled about. He felt trapped, caught in a big glass bubble. All the time, he was aware of Fenner’s steady gaze.

The inspector stood apart from all the activity, staring at Will. After a while, he walked slowly across and stood before Sam and Will. ‘We believe that Groves’ computer has a lot of incriminating evidence on it, including emails to Holland about “deliveries.” He clearly didn’t think it would be found, as they were still in his inbox. A lot of stuff has been deleted, but IT are working on it now. There’s little doubt that he is deeply involved in the importation of illegal material.’ His eyes never left Will’s face. ‘I trust I will be able to find you at Holland House later? I will be wanting to talk to you. Right now, we have a number of loose ends to tie up. It looks cut and dried, but I’m not so certain.’

Will found his voice and asked what they had found in the mill.

‘Videos, photographs, computer discs, magazines. Pornography. Boxes and boxes of the stuff.’

‘And you think it’s Grove?’ Sam asked.

‘With his history, Professor Page, and what I have just been told was found on his second computer, there’s little doubt about it,’ Fenner said.

‘And the child?’ Sam glanced at Will.

‘You know I cannot answer that,’ the inspector said. ‘She is alive and apparently unharmed — physically. The experts will tell us more when they have examined her. You will be—’

‘Sir! We’ve got a problem.’

A PC came running towards them. She said to Fenner, ‘Sir, the coastguards have just notified us that this area is in danger of flooding within the next hour or so. There is a weather front out in the North Sea, coupled with a massively high incoming tide. They have advised us to get out of here fast.’

‘Jesus! DCI Anders! We have to get that evidence out of the mill. Find me the SOCO in charge. We need them to sweep the place and bag everything they can, now!’

‘Can we help?’ Sam asked.

‘Sorry, Professor, but I think you had better leave this to us.’ He cast a speculative eye on Will. ‘And you might want to make sure that Holland House is not in any danger.’ With that, he turned on his heels and moved rapidly towards the old mill, barking orders to his subordinates.

‘Come along, William, we’d best get out of here. We obviously aren’t wanted, and we may need to batten down a few hatches at home.’ Sam took Will’s arm and guided him to their car, where Matt was waiting for them.