‘It would certainly help us. We need every hour we can grab to try and fathom out what happened to send this man off the rails — and to find out who the hell he is,’ Marie said.

‘The thought of some youngster being hunted down by a man as dangerous as this is scaring the life out of me.’ Jackman leaned back in his chair. ‘So, what’s your first move today, Marie?’

‘Well, I’ve located the refuge where Nan Cutler used to volunteer, and I have an appointment with the supervisor at nine thirty. She’s meeting me in a café close to the refuge, so as not to upset the occupants. I’ve given her all I have on Andrea Becker and this woman called Claire and her son, so we’ll have to just cross our fingers that they keep good records.’

‘Let’s hope so. Teddy, whoever he is, is the key to this case—’ There was a sharp knock on his door and a breathless Stacey Smith leaned around it. ‘Sir! The guy who haunts the school gates has been seen at a nearby primary school. I’m on my way, and I’ll update you as soon as I have him.’ And she was gone.

He and Marie looked at each other. Maybe this would be a good day.

Stacey’s visit was followed almost immediately by the entrance of PC Simon Laker, looking almost as excited as Stacey.

‘Sir, I’ve got a picture of our killer.’ He placed a printout in front of Jackman. ‘He triggered a nocturnal wildlife camera that one of the houses close to Peartree Cottage had set up to look for badgers. It’s a high-resolution camera, and the picture quality is remarkable. I extracted this one from a video clip.’

‘Good work, Simon,’ said Jackman. ‘You really are making an effort.’

‘I’ve got a nine-year-old son, sir. I once took him to the County Fair and lost him. Only for about a quarter of an hour, but it was the worst fifteen minutes of my whole life. I can’t bear the thought of the children in those photos being in danger.’

Marie glanced at the image. ‘This is very good for a night camera.’ She turned to Jackman. ‘I suggest we get a copy of this to Annie Carson. See if she recognises her Sky man.’

‘We’ll get one to each of the women whose homes the killer got into. If they all agree it’s him, we’ll finally have a description of our man. Can I leave that to you, Simon? Stacey and Jay are off after the schoolyard stalker.’

‘Straightaway, sir.’

Simon almost ran off.

‘Dare I say it?’ Marie raised an eyebrow.

‘Uh-uh. Don’t jinx it.’ He looked down at the image. ‘This fits Annie’s description, doesn’t it?’