“That’s a huge area,” Gerry said. “And most of it’s off our patch. Besides, if she had her last meal between eleven and midnight and was killed between two and two-thirty, it doesn’t take two or three hours to drive from Teesside or Tyneside to where her body was found.”

“They could have stopped somewhere for a while or partied before they left, as you suggested earlier. And it’s a smaller area to consider than the whole country. I’m just saying it’s somewhere to start, Gerry. It’s a massive job, but if we can get CCTV footage from the major roads in the area for before and after two a.m., we’re in with a chance. We can work out the most likely routes and check all vehicles within our time period. But we also need to know who she is. Get a list of the tattoo parlors and kebab and pizza outlets in the northeast.”

“Fair enough. But maybe they started even farther north and stopped somewhere en route for the food? Ate in the van.”

“Maybe,” said Annie. “But I don’t think there are a lot of kebab and pizza takeaways between Teesside and where she was found. Certainly can check them out quickly enough. Have you got a better idea?”

“No,” said Gerry. “Sorry. I just don’t know . . . it’s all so sketchy.”

“You don’t need to be sorry for playing devil’s advocate. It sharpens the thinking. And I agree it’s sketchy, speculative. But we need a plan. We’ve got to do something. Let’s not forget that the poor girl was abused, and that took more than fifteen minutes.”

“But it didn’t have to happen in the van, is what I’m saying.”

“True,” said Annie. “But if not, why was she naked?”

“Maybe the van was just to dump her after whatever had happened.”

“So what do you suggest we do first?”

“Schools, colleges, tattoo parlors and kebab and pizza takeaways in Eastvale and points northeast, like you said, boss.”

“Right. You’ve got it.”

“What do you make of the tattoos? Any chance there?”

“Tats like hers are ten a penny these days,” said Annie. “Nothing artistic or distinctive, just off the peg. But we’ll get some photos run out. Someone might recognize the combination, locations. And the patrol officers and PCSOs can start asking around the parlors—Teesside, Tyneside.”

“There’s a tattooist right here in Eastvale, too.”

“How do you know that?”

Gerry said nothing, just looked away and blushed.

“You didn’t!”

“Just a little one.” She held her thumb and forefinger in a close pincer shape.

“Show me.”

“No way! Not here.”

“Where is it?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“Christ, you’re the quiet one, aren’t you? Did your boyfriend put you up to it?”

Gerry sipped more of her brandy. “Boyfriend? Chance would be a fine thing. I don’t have time, what with the exams, computer studies and the job and all. No, it was my treat to me on getting the posting to Eastvale.”