‘I’m sure you did,’ Jazz sympathised. ‘Did you ask him why?’

‘Of course.’ Angelina nodded. ‘He didn’t give me an answer. But he looked . . .’ Angelina paused, trying to find the word. ‘. . . frightened, I suppose. I remember commenting that he looked as though he’d seen a ghost when I arrived back at the car. He’d gone very pale.’

‘Well, I wonder if he’d seen someone he didn’t want to see whilst he was waiting for you? After all, it was his old school.’

‘Perhaps.’ Angelina shrugged. ‘He didn’t say he had, but we can’t ask him now, can we?’

Jazz’s mobile rang.

‘Please excuse me,’ she said as she answered it. ‘Hunter here.’

‘It’s Martin Chapman. I’ve got the results of those samples you gave me.’

‘Can I call you back in five, Martin?’

‘Sure.’

Jazz ended the call. ‘I need to go, but what you’ve just told me is very interesting. If I come back this afternoon around three, I can drive you to the morgue and perhaps we can talk some more. I’ll just pop up to have a word with Issy, if that’s okay? Don’t get up, I’ll see myself out.’

Angelina nodded. ‘Thank you, Inspector.’

Jazz climbed the stairs and called Issy’s name. She appeared from behind one of the bedroom doors.

‘Any luck?’ whispered Jazz.

‘We’re getting there, but it’s slow going. I’ve told him Daddy is back in a cell. It might stir his conscience.’

‘Do you want me to talk to him?’

‘No, not at present. The kid’s scared shitless and I’m still not sure why. Leave him to me for a while longer.’

‘Okay, but I’m running out of time. And I’ve got to run. Keep in touch.’

‘Will do.’

Jazz walked back down the stairs and swiftly through the hall to her car, dialling as she went.

‘Martin. What news?’ Her heart was pounding.

‘The first thing is that the sample from the hairbrush does not match any of the other hair samples you gave me.’

Jazz’s heart sank. ‘Shit!’

‘Sorry, Jazz. However, the other two samples do match. “Baby X” was directly related to “Sample A”.’

‘Right. Thanks, Martin.’ Jazz bit her lip in disappointment.

‘But listen, there is something interesting the lab technician found. He’s cross-checking again to make sure, and I’ll call you back when we know.’

‘Can you tell me what it is?’

‘Not until we’ve double-checked. Patience, please.’

‘Of course, Martin, sorry. Speak later.’ Jazz hit the steering wheel. ‘Damn!’

She dialled reception at the school. Jenny Colman answered.

‘Jenny, it’s Inspector Hunter here. I thought you’d want to know the results as soon as possible.’

‘Yes, yes.’ Jenny sounded nervous and expectant.

‘Sebastian Frederiks’s DNA does not match Corin’s, or the sample of hair you gave me. Which means he isn’t your son.’

Jenny let out a sigh of relief. ‘Oh my goodness! What I’ve learned from all this is that perhaps it’s best not to know.’

‘Yes. Well, my apologies for putting you through some hours of uncertainty, Jenny. Just a quick question. Can you remember a pupil called Julian Forbes?’