DI Bennett was leading the press conference, which had surprised him at first. He was preparing to do it himself, when she’d announced it. Now, his job there seemed to be almost like a liaison officer. To be on hand for the family. For afterwards. He’d left them in the corridor with DI Bennett, so he’d be better positioned to observe, but even now, he was anxious for them. Knowing what was to come, once they were in the spotlight.

Trying not to let his annoyance at being shoved aside show.

Mark moved closer to the door they would soon be coming through, standing with his hands loosely linked in front of him, watching those in the room. Wondering how they would report this, how they would react to the story. Whether they would even think it was one worth telling.

He wondered if they’d been tipped off to anything yet. Whether any of them realised they were being used somewhat.

Flashes of light blurred his vision momentarily, as the doors opened and DI Bennett walked in first. Julie was close behind, followed by Stephanie. The only two family members needed, it had been decided.

‘What about the uncle?’ Mark had asked earlier, still unsure of his role in this. ‘Might be good to get his face out there. See if anyone in his past has something to say?’

‘Too soon. We need to make sure he doesn’t get spooked.’

Mark had accepted DI Bennett’s words, wondering if he was a man who was easily worried.

He watched as DI Bennett waited for Julie and Stephanie to sit down behind the table, Emily’s last known photograph on a screen to the side of them. Waited to see if either of them looked towards it at any point. They were both looking out into the room, wide-eyed, almost wincing at the sight. Mark knew they’d be nervous, but he didn’t think they’d even get a sentence out. Both pale and, likely, dry-mouthed. Reality setting in now, the adrenaline of that morning disappearing.

‘Thank you all for coming,’ DI Bennett said, quietening down the camera clicks and low murmur of voices. ‘On Sunday 21st October, Emily Burns – a nineteen-year-old woman – left her home without saying where she was going to anyone. Four days later, the family has had no word from her. She has no known means of travel or plans to meet anyone.’

Mark listened to the normal spiel DI Bennett said, detailing the circumstances of Emily’s disappearance. He watched the faces of Julie and Stephanie first, before turning back to the room. Most of the people there listened seemingly attentively, but he could see a few blank faces there. Some who had become more seasoned to this type of show. Just another missing person. Another name they would struggle to remember in a month’s time.

Never making a dent in their consciousness.