There was a silence, then Kevin said, ‘Andrea Becker? What if she was in league with him? What if the real reason behind her attempt to get Claire and Leon to stay with her was to hand them over to the man who was hunting for them?’

‘She was certainly devious enough,’ said Gary. ‘That’s a damned good suggestion, Kevin!’

Jackman thought about it. It was a good idea, but he saw a flaw. ‘Then why did the killer not just take the boy from the refuge? Or grab him when Claire took him out for a walk?’

‘Because he didn’t know they were there,’ added Robbie thoughtfully. ‘We know what an evil witch Andrea Becker was, maybe she was stringing him along, feeding him small bits of information. She might have calculated that she could squeeze a considerable sum of money out of a desperate father.’

‘But on this occasion,’ said Gary, ‘it looks as though she bit off more than she could chew. If the contents of that garden grave turn out to be her, Andrea Becker made a serious mistake by underestimating her “desperate father.”’

It was possible. Andrea believed she could control people. Why would a man hunting for his son be any different? If he was indeed desperate, he might even be a total pushover. ‘Yes, that kind of situation would suit her, wouldn’t it?’ Jackman said. ‘And she would really shine when she finally presented him with Leon. Once again, she’d be the centre of attention.’ He frowned. ‘Do we know why she left the man she ran off with? This Hereward fella?’

No one answered.

‘We assumed it was because he was a means to an end, but supposing she was seeing another man?’ said Jackman.

‘As in the killer?’ asked Gary.

‘Why not? We know she was able to seduce men at will, and if Felix Becker was anything to go by, she knew how to keep them too.’ He looked at Gary. ‘Speak to Roger Hereward and ask him.’

‘Okay, I’m on it.’ Gary turned to his computer. ‘We’ve got his last known address, let’s hope he’s still there.’

His head spinning, Jackman returned to his office and sat down. Until they had confirmation about Andrea Becker, he was stuck. He looked at the wall clock. Marie should be back soon, and with luck Forensics would already be digging in the back garden of thirteen Hilary Court. Even if it wasn’t her, someone had certainly met with a sticky end in her lounge.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. How many more people were going to pay for having associated with the killer’s son?

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO