Patrick began looking through the phone book for the number of Tropical Tours. Once he had established the flight number and whether or not George Markham had been aboard, he would plan his next move.

Frederick Flowers scanned the sea of faces in front of him. He always felt nervous when addressing the press. You never quite knew what you would be asked.

‘Is this the work of the Grantley Ripper?’ The scruffy, bearded man stared into Flowers’s face.

‘I really cannot divulge that sort of information, as well you know. At the moment we are liaising with the Kent Constabulary to ascertain whether it is the same person.’

‘Why is Detective Inspector Kate Burrows here, then? Do you think that a female officer might handle the case differently? Better?’

Flowers made a conscious effort not to screw up his eyes in annoyance.

‘Detective Inspector Burrows is a very capable police woman, she is respected by her colleagues and myself. Her sex has nothing to do with it.’

The female reporter pressed on, undeterred. ‘Nevertheless, it is unusual for a female DI to be on a case of this size.’

‘My dear girl, I assume you are writing with a feminist slant? Well, can I go on record as saying that we are here to trap a cold-blooded callous murderer, not to discuss sexual politics.’ He turned from the woman and looked around. ‘Who’s next?’

The reporters laughed.

‘Have you any idea at all who the man is? Any leads?’ a booming voice called from the back.

‘Was the child molested at all?’ called another.

Kate followed Caitlin out of the building and to their car. Caitlin lit one of his cigars.

‘It’s funny you know, Kate, but why would the man come here?’

‘I thought that, Kenny. I wondered if maybe he was visiting over this way. Could he work here maybe? Has he family in the area? The murders in Grantley were obviously done by someone who knows the neighbourhood. Maybe he lives here now but was brought up in Grantley? Why kill the child so brutally?’

Caitlin shook his head.

‘The blood testing is backlogged, did you hear?’

Kate nodded. ‘I heard. We need more manpower on it.’ ‘It’s the results that are taking all the time. Still, we’ll keep at it. Time’s the one thing we haven’t got, but it’s also all we’ve got, if you get my meaning.’

Kate smiled wanly.

‘I keep thinking of that child. How can we not have anything to go on? Jesus Christ!’