‘You can’t see the wood for the trees, can you? You seem to forget Becky Rogers is obsessed with Melissa Bailey’s murder. She told her colleagues she was going out to follow up on a lead and has vanished off the face of the Earth. Her notes clearly show an interest in Bishop Meade and Thomas Durham. We know Meade refused to speak to Becky, so where in that detective’s head of yours do you think she might have gone?’ Stanley asked scornfully.

Jane closed her eyes and sighed as the realisation hit her. ‘To speak to Thomas Durham.’

‘Exactly! The Durhams stand to lose everything because of Becky’s article. No one in their right mind would want to buy a property where they thought murdered children might be buried. How would you feel if a young journalist who just lost you millions of pounds turned up on your doorstep asking questions?’

‘I’d be upset, but it doesn’t mean I’d kill them,’ Jane replied.

‘We both know it doesn’t take a lot to send people over the edge and lash out. One punch, one stab and a life can be over.’

Jane knew she’d messed up and it was pointless arguing. ‘Are you going to interview Thomas Durham?’

‘You’ve met him on three occasions and been to his house. You’re best placed to search his premises, arrest and interview him . . . with Boon.’

Jane was stunned. ‘I don’t think that would be appropriate under the circumstances.’

‘If you don’t like it, then go back to the Bromley office and deal with the simple everyday crimes.’

‘Do you not think there’s a conflict of interest if I arrest Durham?’

‘No. Not now you’ve told me what you know. Unless, of course, you think your boyfriend Nick might be involved in Becky’s disappearance?’ Stanley said.

‘As far as I’m aware he was in his office all afternoon, then he spent the night at mine. I didn’t get the impression he’d just murdered or kidnapped anyone,’ Jane retorted.

‘We need to confirm his exact movements for the afternoon Becky went missing,’ Stanley said. ‘So I’ll interview him. Due to your unfortunate relationship with Nick Durham we need to do things by the book when we search his father’s place. I want you to type up a search warrant for Thomas Durham’s house. Get it signed by the on-call magistrate, then come straight back here. While you’re doing that I’ll get as many uniformed officers as I can to help you search the grounds. I also want inquiries made at every flat to see if anyone else saw Becky or her car.’

‘Should I get DS Johnson involved as well? He could look for any traces of blood or hairs matching Becky’s.’