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Guv.’
    Kim hid her smile and looked away. ‘Please, Bryant, go now.’
    He reached the door before she spoke again.
    â€˜Oh, and I shouldn't need to remind you that you tell no one about this case. You all know what I mean.’
    They each acknowledged her warning. Sometimes even their own family members had to be kept in the dark about work.
    Kim stepped into The Bowl, a wood and glass structure in the right-hand corner of the room that was supposed to be her private office. It was barely the size of a decent lift and was used only for the occasional bollocking. For the most part Kim spent her time perched at the spare desk, amongst her team.
    She turned and glanced as her colleagues galvanised into action. There was no room for uncertainty in her team members.
    Any doubts would be all hers.

Six
    K im arrived back at the Timmins' house as darkness was threatening to fall; a development that would not help the state of mind of the parents. The early March days were struggling to leave the February temperatures behind. Every day was offering a long goodnight from mid-afternoon.
    Kim knocked and entered. The constable was seated behind the door.
    â€˜Anything to note?’
    He stood as though addressing a sergeant major. ‘Husbands have come back. There's been shouting and a lot more crying.’
    Kim nodded and headed towards the kitchen.
    Karen appeared before her in the hallway. Her hands were clasped tightly to her breast.
    â€˜Kim, you're …’
    â€˜The Officer in Charge of this case,’ she finished, with a half-smile.
    Karen nodded gratefully and led her into the kitchen.
    â€˜It's about fucking time, Inspector. Have you found my daughter?’
    â€˜Stephen,’ Karen protested.
    â€˜It's okay,’ Kim said, holding up her hands. There would be many emotions for the families to work through and anger would be high on the list.
    She quickly shook her head.
    Two totally separate time zones were operating within one room. The last few hours had sprinted by for her but had been a lifetime to the parents.
    She expected frustration and rage. There would be accusation and mistrust and Kim was happy to accept it all. To a point.
    She faced the man who had spoken. His hair was as black as her own and showed no signs of grey. He carried around twenty pounds of excess weight and his hands were nicely manicured.
    Karen sent a withering glance as she introduced him. ‘Kim, this is Stephen Hanson, Elizabeth's husband, and this is Robert, my husband.’
    Kim hid her surprise. Robert Timmins was an inch over six foot. She knew Karen to be thirty-four, the same age as herself, but Robert looked considerably older.
    Not an unattractive man, he appeared to take care of himself. The grey at his temples suited his face, which was open and honest. His right hand rested on Karen's shoulder protectively.
    This was not the kind of man Kim had envisioned Karen making a life with. As a teen she had gone after bad boys. Their criteria had included tattoos, piercings and possession of an ASBO.
    There had been one in particular for Karen. Another care kid whose orbit she'd been unable to escape. The two of them had separated and collided numerous times during their teen years. And each time he thumped her she vowed never to go back. After the fourth or fifth time, no one was listening.
    â€˜Pleased to meet you both. Now to update you. I've met with my team who will all be arriving over the next few—’
    â€˜Where the hell is the search? Where are the teams, the helicopters?’ Stephen Hanson cried, moving towards her.
    Kim didn't move an inch and he stopped on the safe side of her personal space.
    He looked her up and down. ‘For fuck's sake, this is what we get.’
    Although Elizabeth had the grace to lower her eyes, Kim sensed the hope within them all that his shouting would somehow precipitate the return of the girls.
    â€˜Mr Hanson, there is a press blackout on this