‘A stepdaughter she didn’t have much to do with. Hmm, might be nothing, but I need you to check out her story when we get back. See if we can check if she left the country in the six months after Barclay’s death, and if so, where to.’

‘Not sure if we can go back that far, but I’ll give it a go.’

Porter had noted her reaction to the mention of Bolton’s name with interest. For a woman who claimed to have a strained relationship with her stepdaughter, there had been a definite reaction, and not a positive one. For all he knew it could have been Natasha’s fling with Bolton that had driven the final wedge between her and her stepmum. There was something there for sure, but he couldn’t quite decide how best to approach the problem of getting her to open up.

He decided to focus on Bolton himself. They could head back to Natasha’s apartment block later in the day and see if any of the older residents recognised a photograph of him. It was a long shot, and maybe not even necessary as they had his prints to place him there, but Porter hadn’t been back since the day they found Natasha’s hand. The absence of hard evidence was making him feel like he was wading through treacle towards an unclear goal. He hoped a trip back to her place might shake something loose, some connection he had yet to make. He had agreed to meet up with Anderson and Whittaker after lunch, and the briefing with Campbell and Milburn wasn’t until five.

‘We need to make a few pit stops on the way back,’ he said, turning to Styles.

‘How many you got in mind?’

‘Four. I want to take another look at Natasha’s place. It was all a bit chaotic last time. Just a quick look around. After that, I want to swing down by the river and poke my nose in at Taylor Fisheries. There has to be something there. It all happened so fast from what they say, so he can’t have planned a perfect crime scene. Last one is to pop in and check on Simmons. I know they said they’d call if there was any change, but it doesn’t feel right ignoring her until they do.’

If they do.

Styles nodded, and they lapsed into silence for a few seconds before he spoke again. ‘I thought you said four stops?’

‘Ah yes, almost forgot. We may not have got much, but we didn’t leave empty-handed, so mine’s on white bread with no sauce, thanks.’ Porter smiled as his stomach seconded the motion with a low rumble.