‘Well, even if he was innocent, and no one seems to think he was, as a peeping Tom he’s certainly not Snow White.’ She referred to the printout. ‘The boy turned up alive and unharmed. He said he’d got lost on the moor, spent a couple of days in an old barn. He also swore that Grove had nothing to do with it, but a badge that the kid always wore was found in Grove’s cottage. Grove said children were always calling in so he could identify butterflies and moths they found, and he could have dropped it on one of those visits. As the boy denied having been abducted, there was nothing to hold Grove for, and there was no charge to answer. But the detectives on the case were certain that the kid had not been holed up in any barn. They also thought Grove was lying through his teeth.’

‘How did you get hold of all this?’ Matt asked.

‘I found a journalist who had been following the police inquiry into the missing boy. Nice bloke, very helpful. He coughed it all up on the understanding that if Grove steps out of line down here, I give him the lowdown.’ Liz grinned. ‘And I’d be very pleased to do that, should Grove turn naughty on us.’

‘But so far he hasn’t done anything on this patch, or as far as we can ascertain,’ Matt said thoughtfully.

‘Apart from be rude to everyone, nothing.’

‘Everyone except for Kate Stonebridge, according to Will.’ Matt sat down and crossed his legs. ‘Will said she met him while she was walking up on the sea bank. She said he was perfectly fine with her and told her about the wildlife and the birds.’

Liz wrinkled her brow. ‘That’s worrying. I hope Will told her to steer well clear.’

‘In no uncertain terms, apparently. Kate said she would, mainly because the man smelt.’ He rolled his eyes in disgust. ‘At least we’ve seen him for ourselves now, thanks to our little snout the postmistress letting us know when he collected his magazines from her. I can’t wait to tell Will what you’ve dug up.’

‘And tell him to make sure Kate understands that Grove is not to be trusted.’ Liz sat back. ‘Any luck with talking Emilia into getting a surveillance camera installed at Little Anchor?’

Matt shook his head. ‘She still says it reminds her of bad times — and the stories her parents told her of being watched and spied on. I can’t push her too hard, we don’t know what she’s been through in the past, but I won’t give up trying.’

‘Shame,’ said Liz. ‘I know whoever it is has gone quiet, but I’m sure they haven’t finished with our Emilia yet.’

Matt nodded. He felt the same. The question was, what had they in mind for next time?

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX