‘Anything to suggest we should consider him a suspect?’
Freeborn shook his head. ‘Based on his likes and recent comments I wouldn’t say so. He’s sixteen like Hannah and Georgie, and has continued to be active on social media since the disappearance. I wouldn’t say there’s been any change in his behaviour.’
‘Why hasn’t his name come up before?’
‘Doesn’t go to the girls’ school, and is more of a friend of a friend than part of the social group, I guess. You want me to interview him?’
‘It won’t do any harm, but keep it light for now, and for God’s sake, make sure his parents are present when you speak to him.’
‘Still nothing happening with her bank account either, ma’am, or any debit card use,’ Freeborn continued. ‘If she has run away, someone must be housing and feeding her. I went back and in the two months leading up to Friday she’d only withdrawn thirty pounds in total, money her parents had transferred in around her birthday. Ten of it she withdrew on the Friday from an ATM in Portswood just before four, right before she met up with Alfie Caplan. I’ve checked the camera and she was alone at the ATM.’
It was the biggest indication that this was more than just a case of a girl who had run away from home. But if she hadn’t, where was she now?
‘Thanks, Ewan,’ Kate concluded glumly. ‘Laura, what did Georgie have to say when you caught up with her this afternoon?’
‘Swears blind she’s had no contact with Daisy since that night, and I’m inclined to believe her, ma’am. They were best friends, and if she was in trouble Georgie would have been the first person she’d reach out to.’
‘Do me a favour, though: check Georgie’s banking activity in the months prior to that night too. Let’s just be certain someone else isn’t financing this disappearance. Ewan, has Georgie’s social media activity changed at all?’
‘She’s certainly been quieter, ma’am. Very active on the Saturday before she became aware of the disappearance, little on the Monday and Tuesday, but increasing on Wednesday and Thursday—’
‘Why not say what’s on everyone’s minds?’ DS Humberidge interrupted. ‘It’s time to start investigating a murder, not just a disappearance.’
Kate watched him carefully. She didn’t want his negativity rubbing off on the rest of the team, but this could be an opportunity to silence his cynicism once and for all. ‘Okay, Humberidge. The stage is yours. Tell us why you’re so convinced we’re wasting our time.’
Every eye fell on him, but he didn’t look concerned by the sudden attention. Pushing off from the desk, he straightened his tie and proceeded to the wallboard. ‘Very well. Let’s look at Val and Barry Emerson first. Barry’s a former boxer – heavyweight – did a few semi-pro fights before he had to retire with a broken eye socket. Set up a business afterwards, restoring antique cars, but the business went bust eighteen months ago and they’ve been treading water since. Val works as a nail technician in a local salon, but her wages are barely enough to cover the mortgage payment.’
Kate frowned. ‘And?’
‘I’m not saying that’s their motive, but with all the sudden media attention in the last week, and the offers of money for exclusive interviews, it couldn’t have come at a better time for them financially. You’re all thinking the same as me: if Daisy’s alive, where the hell is she? She’s fifteen, vulnerable, and from a stable home. How the hell is she going to survive on the streets alone? There’s foul play here.’
‘Is that all your theory is based on: money troubles and her vulnerability?’
He turned to face her. ‘Let me look into them more deeply, then. That girl didn’t run away, ma’am. In my opinion, someone’s taken her and we’re wasting valuable time because you refuse to accept it.’
‘I remain open-minded as far as this investigation goes.’
He scoffed, as he made his way back to his space in the gathered crowd.
She should have taken him to one side and discussed the matter rationally and without prejudice. But she couldn’t bite her tongue any longer. ‘I’ve looked into Val’s eyes, and from one mother to another, I am certain she didn’t kill Daisy. Until you’ve experienced the anguish of losing a child, you cannot begin to understand the emotional turmoil it takes.’ Kate felt the burning in her cheeks and instantly regretted the outburst, even more so when she saw the open mouths and astonished faces of her team.
‘Shall I go next?’ Patel offered, keen to move proceedings forward.
Kate nodded for him to carry on.
‘We interviewed Alfie Caplan earlier today,’ Patel said, addressing the rest of the team. ‘He has admitted to a disagreement between him and Daisy at the ice-cream parlour in Portswood, which corroborates what the waitress told us. Caplan wouldn’t tell us what the disagreement was about, but we need to verify his alibi just in case. He claimed to be staying at his brother’s place in Richmond, West London over that weekend. I agree with DI Matthews that Daisy couldn’t have disappeared on her own. Someone must be helping her, and we need to narrow down who.’
‘Might it be time for the Emersons to formally appeal to the press?’ Laura suggested. ‘I know they were at the original conference on Wednesday, but I wondered whether hearing them speak might encourage Daisy to come home.’
‘Good idea,’ Kate said, composing herself once more. ‘I’ll discuss it with the supe. Keep looking for her. I have no doubt Daisy is still out there, and it’s up to us to find her and bring her home. Now, moving on to our second case. Olly, care to tell us what you’ve observed from the security tapes at the school where the foot was found?’
Quinlan stared down at his notes. ‘I’ve got footage from the last week, and I’m working backwards from last night. I’ve been given a list of vehicles belonging to teachers and administrators at the school, so I won’t cover those off specifically. The school operates a no-car zone for parents. There are two bus routes that pass the school, and parents aren’t allowed to drive into the grounds. Those who insist on collecting their children by car must find one of the limited spaces on the residential streets on either side of the grounds. The hall in question is nowhere near either street, so it seems unlikely that the victim’s body was forced over a side fence and then dragged to the sports hall.’
‘Any unexpected vehicles on the Thursday or Friday?’
‘So far, the Royal Mail van has stopped by twice, each at different times of the morning, but not unexpected. Then there’s the works van belonging to Chris Jackson, the photocopy engineer. I’m following up with the school on that to see who called him and to check he was accounted for at all times.’
Kate nodded at Laura. ‘Have you managed to get hold of Jackson himself?’
Laura shook her head. ‘I’ve left messages, but no response yet. Uniform have visited his home address, which also serves as his business address, but no answer there either. He could be away for the weekend, ma’am.’
‘Okay, keep trying. Sorry, Olly, please continue.’
‘The gardener you met this morning – Neil Watkins? – his van arrives just after ten on both days, and leaves again before three. On Thursday afternoon, the school minibus collected and dropped off the football team who’d been playing away at Itchen College, and finally a van delivered food for the school dinners. It’s a third-party contractor, which services a number of schools in the city. And finally, Liam Phillips from TUTD Surveyors was there for a couple of hours on Thursday morning.’
‘And that’s it?’
‘Apart from the teachers’ and administrators’ cars.’
Kate looked at the rest of the team. ‘Have we managed to make contact with all the teachers yet?’
‘Most,’ Patel confirmed, ‘though Ismael Vardan wasn’t home when we called.’
Kate narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re telling me the teacher previously accused of inappropriate behaviour with a pupil – and Daisy’s tutor – can’t be found?’