The station was buzzing with activity. She passed her DI’s office, having a sneaky peek through the glass in his door. Head down, he was deep in conversation as he spoke on the phone. Various newspapers were spread out on his desk. She had already seen the headlines as she popped into her local newsagents on the way to work. The story of the murdered teen was front page on all the papers from the nationals to the Slayton Gazette. Sarah carried on walking. At least they’d found her body. She’d told her sergeant the tip-off had been anonymous but it was time to be up front about Elliott. She entered the CID office; disappointed to see that Gabby wasn’t at her desk.

‘You OK there?’ Yvonne said, holding several dog-eared files in her hand. Yvonne was one of the longstanding members of CID and was only a few years younger than Sarah. Her dark hair was perfectly straightened, her arched brows pencilled in.

‘Oh hi, Yvonne, just waiting to speak to Gabby. Do you know where she is?’

‘She’s in a meeting with Angelica’s parents, due back any minute now.’ She regarded Sarah with a smile. ‘Well done on the lead, how did you manage that? You’re putting the rest of us to shame.’ Yvonne shifted her folders to the other arm, obviously in no hurry to leave. Sarah could imagine the snide comments Yvonne had said about her behind her back. She didn’t trust her, but Gabby wanted everyone working as a team. There was no room for lone wolves in CID. She was more of a lame dog than a lone wolf, but still …

‘I have my contacts.’ A protective feeling rose in Sarah. She knew how the others would react to Elliott’s involvement.

Yvonne tilted her head to one side. ‘Anything that’s related to the case needs to be brought up, Sarah.’ She paused for thought. ‘You’re not holding out on us, are you? Because—’

‘No, God no, of course not,’ Sarah jumped in, emitting a stilted laugh. She panicked as Yvonne stared her down. ‘It’s just … there’s this young boy. I spoke to his mum, Maggie Carter, about a prowler on Halloween night.’ Sarah wasn’t ready to confide in Yvonne about their friendship. It had nothing to do with the case.

‘Are you talking about Elliott Carter?’ Yvonne said evenly.

‘Yes, you know him?’

‘Slayton is a small place. He’s an interesting boy.’

‘Yes. He’s very … insightful.’ Sarah shoved her hands into her trouser pockets and tilted on the balls of her feet.

‘He’s helped police with enquiries in the past.’

‘Really?’ Sarah frowned. ‘His mum never said.’

‘That he’s psychic? It’s not something you blurt out in conversation, I suppose, but yeah, I’ve spoken to him before.’

‘You have? In a police capacity?’