‘So far,’ said Gary, ‘we can’t find any at all. Not between the boys or the women whose houses were broken into. Though technically he’s not breaking in, he gains access without damaging any locks or property. As the sarge here says, it’s a mystery.’

‘How did he know I’d have a photograph anyway?’ she asked anxiously. ‘If he’d got into Patsy’s house, for instance, she doesn’t have a single photo of children.’

Marie shrugged. ‘It’s early days yet, and so far we know very little. As soon as we know what we’re dealing with, we’ll tell you, I promise.’

A few minutes later, a patrol car drew up outside. Marie and Gary stood up.

‘We’ll be in touch,’ Marie said. ‘Here’s my card. If you think of anything else that might help us, please ring, day or night.’

Natalie accepted the card. ‘I will, and thanks for your kindness. You must think I’m just a silly, frightened woman.’

Marie smiled at her. ‘I don’t think you’re silly at all. If it happened to me, I’d react just the same. But maybe steer clear of the scary stories for a while?’

‘Don’t worry, Sergeant. It’s chick lit and rom coms for me from now on.’

Just as they were leaving, Natalie said, ‘He was in here all the time, wasn’t he? Before I locked up. He was in here with me.’

They glanced quickly at each other. Well, no point in lying. ‘It looks that way, I’m afraid,’ Marie said. ‘But try not to think about it. He had no intention of hurting you, he just wanted that photograph, nothing else.’

‘Thank you for your honesty, Sergeant.’

But Marie had seen the expression on her face. The coming night was going to be hard for this woman.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jackman waited for the kettle to boil, going over the previous night’s conversation with Laura. She had already spoken to Sam, but she was still anxious. It seemed out of all proportion to the case and he was beginning to think there might be something else worrying her. Maybe he should have a private word with Sam. If Laura couldn’t — or wouldn’t — tell him what it was, maybe Sam could put his mind at ease.

He made the tea, still mulling over what to do, then heard his phone ringing.

Marie still managed to sound cheerful despite having been dragged out of bed at three in the morning. ‘Just giving you an update, boss, no need to rush in. Gary and I have done all we can, now we’re off for a double sausage and egg McMuffin.’

She told him about their visit to Old Fleet village and relayed the victim’s questions. It was a good one. How had the intruder known she had the photo? Why choose her and not someone else? The thought had been bugging him too. He could only surmise that the man had been in her house before, on a recce. More to the point, he’d been in all the houses at some point. Jackman knew exactly how that could come about. It would be his first job when he got into work, asking them all whether they’d had workmen in recently. Telephone engineers, window cleaners, security or double-glazing salesmen, anyone seemingly legitimate that gained access to their home. All he needed was a common denominator.