‘She married in Crowland in 1950,’ Kevin added, ‘and her husband, Henry Cutler, served in the RAF as ground crew. We’ve found photographs that put them together at RAF Binbrook, and it looks like he was stationed there until he retired at fifty-five. He then took a civilian job working with agricultural machinery, and they moved to Connaught Road, Saltern-le-Fen.’

‘Did she ever work?’ Marie asked.

‘Hard to tell from the records, Sarge,’ said Gary. ‘It looks like she did small cash-in-hand jobs around the local neighbourhood. She helped out at the library and the cottage hospital. She was a popular woman, happy to chip in and help with local charity work and church events. No regular job that we can trace.’

‘Children I know about,’ Marie said, ‘as I was checking up on them. Nan had two girls, Babs and Christine. Babs, now dead, never married, and the other one moved with her family to South Island, New Zealand. I’ve passed the word to her local police force so they can break the news to her.’ She paused. ‘The odd thing is that the photo the killer took wasn’t of any of her grandchildren. Christine had two girls, Ava and Coco, and a boy, called Dermot. The one of the lad the killer took had the letter “Y” next to the age. Dermot has no “Y” in it. So, if it was another boy’s photo that he took, we have no idea who that boy is.’ She shrugged. ‘Of course, we’re only assuming it was a boy because the others were, and of the same age. Having said that, even though I’m pretty sure it will be another lad, we need to keep an open mind.’

‘You said the other daughter never married. That doesn’t mean she never had a child,’ said Kevin. ‘It could have been hers.’

‘Good point, Kev, but I checked that out. Definitely no kids, and she died in her twenties in a car crash. So, who is he?’

‘A nephew, or a niece?’ said Gary.

‘Possibly, but it would be on her husband’s side. She was an only child. That’s one to check out next, followed by friends, which isn’t going to be easy. So far, most of our info has come via the neighbours, but they aren’t likely to know about her friends or where they live, are they?’

They all fell silent until Kevin said, ‘You mentioned helping out at the church. If we found out which one, maybe that’s as good a place as any to start.’

‘Can I hand that over to you, Kevin?’ Marie said. ‘And, Gary, follow the husband’s family tree. I want to know who was in the missing picture.’

They returned to their desks. Marie’s phone buzzed. A text from Ralph.

She went outside to the corridor and leaned against the wall to read the message.

Intel says the case I’m on is going to kick off tonight. Might not be able to ring. If anything changes, I’ll contact you.