Together, they walked into Grantley Casualty Department and Kate explained who they were to the receptionist. Like most hospital receptionists, this one was a breed apart. She pulled her glasses down an almost non-existent nose and surveyed Kelly and Kate over the top of them. Her thin hair was scraped back from her face in a bun so tight her eyes had taken on a Chinese appearance. Kate could see her in a kaftan and clogs and had to stifle a bubble of laughter.

‘Name of patient again please.’

‘Mandy Kelly. I am Detective Insp . . .’

The woman held up a chubby finger in reproof. ‘One question at a time please.’

Patrick watched the performance with a darkening face. The woman was tapping Mandy’s name laboriously into her computer.

‘And how was she brought here?’

‘I beg your pardon?’ Kate was losing patience now.

‘How was she brought here? By ambulance, in a car . . .’

Kelly pushed Kate out of the way. He peered into the glasses that separated him from the receptionist.

‘She came by fucking bus. There was her, with her head smashed in. Two ambulance men and a fucking dirty great stretcher. Even you couldn’t have missed them walking through here. Now shut your trap and tell me where my daughter is or you’ll be going in to see the doctor yourself !’

The woman’s mouth puckered into a small O and a nurse, hearing the exchange, hurried out from the cubicle area.

‘Mr Kelly?’

Patrick nodded. Kate could see the tension in his shoulders and back. It was as if someone had stuffed a metal pole inside his coat to hold him up.

‘Where’s my daughter? I want to see my daughter.’

‘She’s still in theatre. If you’d like to follow me, I’ll take you to the waiting room.’

Kelly and Kate followed the young girl.

‘How is she?’

‘I’m sorry, Mr Kelly, I really don’t know, a doctor will see you soon.’

Kate followed Kelly up two flights of stairs and into a tiny waiting room off the ITU. She thanked the nurse, who offered to bring them coffee.

‘I knew this had happened, I knew it. I had a feeling in me bones.’

Kate didn’t answer. Amanda Dawkins walked into the tiny room and Kate motioned with her head that they should go outside, closing the door quietly on Kelly.

‘How is she?’

‘Bad, Kate. Really bad. Half her head’s gone. It’s obvious it’s the same man who attacked Geraldine O’Leary. She’s been raped. Buggered as well I think. She’s in a terrible state. Even the doctors were amazed at how she’s hanging on to life.’

Kate pursed her lips. Kelly would go berserk if anything happened to his daughter. He was wound up like a watch spring now. She nodded at Amanda.