‘As I explained, ma’am, the people we arrested are, in our opinion, no more than profiteers from the media release of the detail of Mrs Dunwoody’s kidnapping. They manipulated an existing audio file to ensure they had a voice clip of her saying words that related to being held prisoner. Then they added background noise which we identified as St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral bells to make us think she was being held in central Edinburgh. Given her social prominence the amount of money they’d asked for was in keeping with our expectations. We had no choice but to follow the lead.

‘We traced the five of them through text messages they’d exchanged regarding the money pickup. They’ve been charged with extortion, and in the circumstances they can all expect to receive substantial custodial sentences.’ Baarda kept his voice low and polite, while Connie wanted to disconnect and stop wasting time.

Edinburgh’s Major Investigation Team had provided them with a briefing room, a phone, access to a kitchen that needed an introduction to basic hygiene levels, and a glass board. The latter had been covered with a rough tessellation of photographs, maps, forensic reports and statements. Blue lines with arrows indicated information flow. Red lines were reserved for evidential links and random white question marks were plastered wherever there were obvious gaps in the storyline.

‘So what decent new leads do you have, now that your first line of investigation has collapsed?’ O’Neill snapped.

‘We have a DNA match with a male who murdered a woman in her bed. The same DNA was in a blood droplet on Elspeth Dunwoody’s car, and our time would be better spent figuring out who that male is rather than relaying information to you. There’s another DNA match in a cold case relating to the disappearance of a homeless woman. Is that not enough for you?’ Connie asked.

Baarda stared at her open-mouthed.

‘That would be Dr Woolwine, I suppose,’ O’Neill drawled.

‘Yes, ma’am, we’re—’

‘Don’t interrupt, Baarda. I was told you’d been given access at all levels of the case, Dr Woolwine. Your insights, please.’

‘My insights? We have three different categories of crime scene. Right now, I can’t provide an outline of your suspect either physically, psychologically or in socio-economic terms.’

‘Ma’am, it was Dr Woolwine who first realised that they did not actually have our kidnap victim,’ Baarda explained.

‘So I gather, about five minutes before everyone else figured it out, which no doubt was a huge help, except to contextualise just how incompetently the police investigation is being handled. I’m not seeing much progress from either of you with regard to Mrs Dunwoody’s whereabouts, though. Best guess, Dr Woolwine, is Mrs Dunwoody alive or dead?’

‘Alive,’ Connie replied.

‘Because?’ O’Neill asked.