When the underwater search unit arrived they set up four big arc lamps powered by a petrol generator, which lit up the surrounding area, creating an eerie glow on the surface of the still water. Two divers went into the lake with submersible torches. A few minutes later, one of them surfaced and did a thumbs-up. The underwater unit had a cable winch attached to their large truck, which one of the divers attached to the submerged vehicle.

Everyone watched in silence as the red Citroën 2CV was slowly pulled out of the lake and water cascaded out of the vehicle. As Jane moved forward, an officer turned one of the arc lamps towards the boot, casting an ominous shadow of Jane’s body over the car. Jane’s hand trembled as she placed it on the boot lever. She knew she was about to find Becky’s body but dreaded the moment. As Jane lifted the boot lid, she saw a black canvas suitcase wedged inside. She asked the search officers to remove it. It took two of them to lift it out, then place it on the ground. Jane unzipped it. Becky’s body was curled up in a foetal position with a blood-stained towel tucked into one corner of the case. Fighting back the tears, Jane stepped to one side to allow Lloyd to take some photographs. She walked over to Stanley and Boon.

‘Durham must have put her body in the suitcase to get her out to the car,’ Jane said.

‘DS Johnson can bag the body and arrange for it to be taken to the mortuary,’ Stanley said. ‘We’ll do the post-mortem first thing tomorrow morning. You two go home and get some rest. I’ll go and tell PC Rogers and his wife we found Becky,’ he added in a sombre tone.

Walking to the car, Jane could see Boon was struggling to hold himself together. She had dealt with grieving parents, friends, and relatives too many times to remember, but at this moment she couldn’t think what to say to him.

Chapter Thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY

As Jane drove back to Orpington Boon sat quietly staring out of the passenger window. She parked the car in the station yard and switched the engine off.

‘I know how you’re feeling, Simon . . .’

‘I don’t think you do, sarge,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘In fact, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m cut out to be a police officer anymore.’

‘I lost two colleagues during a bank robbery explosion when I was a probationer at Hackney,’ Jane said. There was a catch in her voice.

Boon turned and looked at her with an expression of surprise.

‘WPC Kath Morgan was my best friend. I was in a relationship with the other officer at the time. His name was Len Bradfield.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Boon said. ‘It must have been a terrible time for you.’