Jackman nodded. ‘Then we’ll start. We don’t have a lot to begin with, I just wanted everyone to see the whole picture at the outset of the case.’ He looked around him. ‘Detectives, you’ll see we have Stacey, Jay and Simon with us today from Uniform. They were the first responders, and their input could be invaluable. Well, in two days what started as a suspicion that our local infiltrator, Ratty Jones, was stepping up his game to theft has turned into a murder inquiry. So, please make use of our colleagues’ street knowledge as and when you need.’ He looked towards the two half-empty whiteboards. ‘Right, this is what we have.’ He paused as the door opened to admit Gary.

‘Sorry I’m late, boss.’

‘We’re just starting, so nothing missed, Gary. Now, this case kicked off with an intruder, who did not break in but found an open window big enough for him to gain access. He terrified the occupant by standing at the end of her bed and then fled, taking a framed photo of a young ten-year-old boy.’

‘Any description, boss?’ asked DC Charlie Button.

‘None at all,’ Jackman replied. ‘The lady in question did put on a bedside light, but by then the intruder was off down the stairs. Her son saw only a blur as someone rushed past his bedroom door.’

‘Even I’d probably shit myself if I woke up to see a stranger standing over my bed,’ said DC Max Cohen. ‘It must be terrifying.’

‘Indeed,’ Jackman said. ‘Next came another unauthorised entry into a private house, again using a top-opening window, and this time leaving a clear footprint on the bed of the occupier. Which to my mind would have been even more frightening.’

‘The lady in question, sir,’ said Simon Laker, ‘was distraught. I rang her this morning, just to check on her. She said she slept in a chair in the lounge last night — too scared to go to bed.’

‘Not surprising. Again, a photo was taken, of her two grandchildren, one of whom is ten years old. Having pictures of children taken is worrying, although during the last incident, the murder, no picture was removed.’

‘Hold on, boss.’ Gary Pritchard held up an evidence bag. ‘I’ve just been to Connaught Road, and I found this.’ Pulling on a pair of gloves, he removed a photograph album and placed it on the desk beside Jackman. Carefully opening it, he pointed. ‘Look, a page has been torn out, leaving a tiny scrap at the bottom. Although the full name of the subject has gone, you can still make out the letter “Y” and the words “. . . at age eleven.” The rest of the album is intact, just that single picture was taken.’

‘Of someone aged eleven,’ mused Jackman. ‘Well done, Gary. This most likely connects the murder to the two uninvited guests. In one way that’s a blessing, as it means we’re only looking for one man.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘And given the age of these children, we also have to consider the reports of a youngish man waiting at various school gates when children are arriving for the day. As of yet there’s no clear connection, but we can’t ignore it.’ He looked at Stacey. ‘I believe you and Jay spoke to Ratty?’