Jackman heard Marie’s sigh of relief. The boy was alive! Christopher would know where the hideaway was. He’d been there with his father when he was younger. ‘We’re very relieved to hear that, Dr Bourne, believe me. I know this has been traumatic for you, and soon we’ll leave you in peace, but I have one last question.’

Bourne looked at him. ‘You want to talk to Christopher.’

‘We do, for the other boy’s sake. His life could depend on it.’

‘And it could undo years of painstaking work with a damaged child,’ Bourne countered.

‘We have only one question. It doesn’t have to be me asking it — Marie could, or you, the foster parents, a healthcare professional, whoever you think would do the least harm. Please, Dr Bourne?’

‘And what is that question?’

‘His father once took him to a friend’s place, close to the river, possibly in the area around Stone Quay. He called it the Hideaway. We believe it’s where he’s taken Davy, but it’s a huge remote area. It would take days to search and time is not on our side. We need to ask Christopher if he knows where it is.’

After a few minutes of what seemed like endless pondering, Bourne gave a sigh. ‘All right, as long as you allow the foster father to ask. He and Christopher are close.’

Jackman nodded. ‘I know it’s getting late, but please ring him now, so I can confirm our position with the foster parents if necessary.’

Bourne took his phone from his pocket and explained the situation to Christopher’s new father.

‘He’ll do it, Detectives, but not at this hour. The boy is already in bed. Jim Gardner, the foster father, is taking him fishing early tomorrow morning. He’ll do it then, and call immediately, at around six or seven.’ Bourne stared at them. ‘This might sound callous to you, but you have to understand how damaged Christopher was. Jim has brought that lad back from the abyss, but he has to be handled with extreme care if you are to get your answers.’

Jackman nodded. He was bitterly disappointed. It certainly wasn’t what he would have hoped for, but it wasn’t down to him to jeopardise another child. ‘Okay, please, thank him for us. Oh, and the more he can tell us about the actual location of this place, the better.’

Jackman just had to hope that Jordan Spiller wouldn’t play out his endgame before sunrise.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

DS Vic Blackwell was also working late. The strange life of Freddie Shields had begun to fascinate him. By nine o’clock, he had confirmed two things about Freddie — two lies he had told Dr Archer. Freddie Shields was not divorced, because he had never been married. And the lovely Julia, the teacher at Saltern Academy, did not exist.