‘You were screaming that someone had taken advantage of your generosity, Mr Shields, and you were driving away from the area.’ Vic leaned forward. ‘Think! You went there last night. You saw that someone else was already there and you were angry. Am I right?’

Shields looked as if he were about to cry. ‘A car. I vaguely remember something about a car. And yes, I was scared and upset. I needed peace, solitude. I suppose it must have been Jordan, but I haven’t seen him in ages.’

‘Tell us about the building itself,’ Jackman demanded.

‘Well, it’s nothing but a wooden shack — one room with a sink, a Calor gas camping stove, an old sofa, a camp bed and a table and two chairs. It has a small petrol generator out back, along with a privy — well, an earth closet. And that’s it. It’s just my grandfather’s hut.’

‘Is there anything about the area that we should know, Mr Shields? Anything dangerous?’ Jackman glanced at his watch.

Shields shrugged. ‘Not really. Only the marsh at high tide, when the water can run deep and fast. Further up, at End Point, there’s a wicked eddy that forms in the water every so often, and you don’t want to get into that.’

‘Finally, there are two ways of approaching the hut, is that right?’ Jackman was already on his feet.

‘Yes, one by a farm lane from End Point and other via Stone Quay and past the sluice. That’s the road we usually use.’ He stared at Vic. ‘What’s going on?’

Jackman was already at the door.

Vic looked at the man opposite him. He certainly didn’t seem like someone who would murder his own mother. ‘We think a kidnapped boy is being held in your hideaway, Mr Shields. DI Jackman is on his way there now.’ He ended the interview and stood up. ‘I’ll let you get some breakfast and I’ll be back for your formal interview as soon as the custody sergeant allows after your final assessment. Thank you for your assistance.’

* * *

‘Our RV point is Stone Quay.’ Jackman watched Marie pulling on her crash helmet. ‘Are you sure about this?’

‘Oh yes. Tiger can get to places that a car isn’t able to. It could be useful. I’ll meet you there,’ Marie called back.

‘The drone unit is already en route. Ruth insisted on it.’

She nodded, revved her bike and roared off towards the gates.

He wasn’t happy, but then he never was when Marie headed off on that machine. He beckoned to Gary and Kevin. ‘Robbie? You take Max and Charlie. Stone Quay, twenty minutes. RV there.’

Robbie gave him a thumbs up and headed for a waiting vehicle.