69236538256563

‘Expertise is on our side,’ she continued. ‘I’m confident that this team of people represents
excellence and I expect it of you. Time is not on our side. It’s been twenty-four hours since Ben Finch
went missing. Priority is to confirm Mum’s story, and speak to all the people she says she saw in the
woods that day.’
She paused, making sure we were taking it all in.
‘I personally feel that the members of the fantasy re-enactment group who were in the woods during
the afternoon are of particular interest, because I suspect that amongst them there’ll be one or two
mummy’s boys who are wielding swords at the weekend to make up for being sad pimply little
bastards who can’t get a life during the week.
‘Which brings me on to another matter. I think we’re going to need all the help we can get on this
one. The number of actions we’ve identified already is daunting, and it’s certain to get worse before
it gets better. I’ve asked for more bodies, and I’ve twisted the Super’s arm so that he’s agreed to fund
the services of a forensic psychologist for the short term at least, to help us define our primary
suspects. His name is Dr Christopher Fellowes. He has teaching commitments, and he’s based at
Cambridge University, so he’s not going to be with us in person unless we have a very good reason to
bring him over here, but he’ll be available to advise remotely.’
I knew him. We’d worked with him when I was with Devon and Cornwall. He was good at his job,
when he was sober.
‘I was going to get Mum and Dad in front of the cameras tonight, but I think we’ll wait until first
thing tomorrow morning. I’ve televised a short appeal for information which will do for now, and
we’ll put that out with Ben’s photograph. I’ve had preliminary reports from most of you, but if there’s
anything new you want to add, speak now.’
One of the DCs put up her hand.
‘We’re not in school. You can keep your hand down.’
‘Sorry. It’s just that I’ve got a possible. We’ve tracked down all but one of the men on the sex
offenders list.’
‘Who’s missing?’
‘Name of David Callow. Thirty-one years old. Did time for abusing his stepsisters and posting
photographs of himself doing it. His parole officer hasn’t heard from him for a fortnight.’
‘Make him a priority. I want to know who he last saw, and when. Talk to his family, his neighbours,
his friends, if he has any. Find out what he’s been doing. Anything else?’
Nobody spoke.
‘Right. There’s a lot to get on with, so let’s get on with it. Any leads, any worries, anything gets on
top of you, speak to me. I want to know everything, as it happens. No exceptions.’