The superintendent was still dubious. He had hated Harry Mitchell with a passion. For years, he’d known exactly what the head of the Mitchell clan was up to, but catching him and locking him up had proved an impossible task. Houdini, the superintendent had nicknamed Mitchell, the reason being that the bastard was the biggest escapologist he’d ever had the misfortune of dealing with. In fact, when Houdini had finally met his maker, the superintendent had breathed a massive sigh of relief that he couldn’t be tormented by the man any longer.

‘I can see what you’re saying, Blyth, but I would really like to speak to the Mitchell girl myself or send one of my own team to speak to her before I reopen this case.’

‘Both Frankie and Kerry have flatly refused to speak to any officer other than myself, nor will they do a taped interview. Like it or not, sir, if this investigation does go any further, then I will have to be involved. The girls trust me, you see,’ Blyth explained.

The superintendent rubbed his fingers around his moustache. He’d overslept this morning and hadn’t had time to trim the bloody thing. ‘OK, on your insistence, I’ll reopen the case. We’ll start by getting some DNA tests done on the crime exhibits, see if we can get a match to the suspects. I’ll also send some men round to speak to Mitchell’s neighbours again. But if these girls are lying, be it on your head, and I truly mean that, Blyth.’

Filled with relief, Blyth smiled and shook the SI’s hand. ‘Thank you so much for taking me seriously, sir.’

Eddie Mitchell didn’t know whether to hug, kiss, or just curtly say hello to his only daughter. Frankie was an unpredictable character at the best of times and, as alike as they were, he would never understand her way of thinking as long as he lived. As he walked towards her, he opted to give her a quick peck on the cheek.

‘You all right, girl? Christ, you ain’t ’arf showing now,’ Ed said, stating the obvious.

‘You wanna see my mate, Babs. She’s only got a couple of weeks to go and she’s twice the size of me,’ Frankie replied.

‘So, how long exactly you got to go now?’

‘Six weeks. I can’t wait now, I’m so excited.’

Eddie grinned. Frankie was acting much warmer towards him than he’d expected her to be. Not one to brush things under the carpet, Ed leaned towards her. ‘I know you’ve been pissed off with me, sweetheart, and I do understand how you feel, but I ain’t ’arf missed ya and I really want us to be friends again. Can we put all that crap behind us now?’