Kate didn’t wait for Phillips to come to them in the waiting area of the offices of TUTD Surveyors, marching straight to his private office and knocking on the door. She heard voices from inside, and as Phillips opened the door, she saw his cheeks flush as he quickly apologised to the Asian man seated at the desk.

Phillips didn’t even acknowledge Kate, as he turned back to his prospective client. ‘Apologies, Mr Yamamoto. Could I ask you to step outside for just a moment? If you head down to the waiting area, my secretary will fix you a fresh cup of tea.’

The client bowed his head as he passed through the door, and made his way towards the waiting area, tightly gripping his briefcase.

Phillips ran a hand through his hair as he closed the door. ‘Don’t you people ever make appointments?’ he said testily, as he retook his seat.

‘Not when I’m investigating a double murder and the disappearance of a vulnerable child,’ Kate fired back, remaining on her feet.

Phillips switched off his monitor, resting his hands flat on the desk, and forcing a thin smile. ‘What is it I can do for you this time?’

Kate raised the photograph they’d retrieved from the cigar box. ‘How did you know Petr Nowakowski?’

‘Petr? We used to play football together. Why?’

‘Used to?’

‘Yeah, he stopped playing three or four years ago I think. He got pinched for armed robbery, as I recall. Never saw him much after that.’

‘Have you seen him recently?’

Phillips frowned. ‘What’s all this about?’

‘Have you seen him recently?’ Kate repeated.

The frown deepened. ‘About a month ago, I guess. He asked me for a job.’

‘And?’

‘And I told him I wasn’t hiring at the moment.’

‘Where did the two of you meet?’

‘I told you: playing football. A couple of friends and I signed up to play in a five-a-side league, and I met him there.’

‘You were on the same team?’

‘No. I was on a team with friends from university, and he played for one of the others.’

‘You seem very friendly in this photograph. Where was it taken?’

He studied the image for a moment, before staring straight at Kate. ‘As far as I remember, it was at an awards ceremony organised by the league sponsors. Our team had won the league and Petr’s were runners-up. There was a big party, loads of booze, and we were presented with our trophy.’

‘Did you ever see him socially outside of football?’

‘No. But I’d see him every couple of weeks when we’d have matches at the same time.’

‘Where did you play?’

‘The five-a-side place along the Millbrook Road.’

Kate knew the place. ‘When did you stop playing?’

‘I busted my knee a year ago, and the doctors warned me not to risk playing again. I now work off my stresses at the gym instead.’

‘Why did Nowakowski ask you for a job if you hadn’t seen him in so long?’

‘I don’t know. He showed up here out of the blue and asked. I wasn’t sure that he’d be able to do anything to help us, and told him we weren’t hiring.’

‘How did he seem when you spoke?’

‘Listen, are you going to tell me what this is all about? Why the interest in Petr?’

Kate kept her lips tight.

‘He seemed all right, I suppose. Looked like he’d put on a few pounds since I’d last seen him.’

‘Did he seem desperate for money?’

A flicker in Phillips’ eyes.

‘What is it?’ Kate pressed.

Phillips shrugged. ‘He asked whether he could borrow some money. Said he’d fallen on hard times and would do anything, but I said things were tough for all of us, and I couldn’t help.’

‘And afterwards, did you see him again?’

‘No. Seriously, what is all this? Why all the questions about Petr? Is this something to do with that girl’s foot you found at the school?’ A pause. ‘Oh God, do you think he was responsible?’

Kate watched Phillips closely. ‘We’re asking all males with access to the sports hall at St Bartholomew’s to provide a DNA sample for comparison. Would you be willing to come down to the station and provide a voluntary sample?’

Phillips looked from Kate to Quinlan and then back again. ‘Unless you want to arrest me, I think I’ll decline your offer. Certainly until I’ve spoken to my lawyer.’

Kate nodded at Quinlan. It was time to go.

---

Holding the phone to her ear, Kate tapped her fingers against the desk as she waited for Humberidge to answer.

‘Ma’am?’ he finally said as it connected.

‘Anything to link Jackson to Nowakowski or Maria?’

‘One of the technicians is going through his computer now, but it’s taking time.’

‘What about the disturbed earth in the garden?’

‘For a minute I thought we were on to something when I heard someone shout that they’d found bones—’

‘Bones?’ Kate interrupted, suddenly sitting up.

‘Turned out to be a decomposing cat, ma’am. It wasn’t buried too deep. Probably been in the ground a few months.’

‘Any other signs that he may have buried or cremated Nowakowski or Maria there?’

‘Nothing, ma’am. I’m sorry. We have found pornographic material in one of the upstairs rooms: magazines, a couple of DVDs, and a sports bag with bondage gear shoved in a wardrobe. It’s all being sent back for analysis.’

‘Ties in with what Imelda Watkins told me.’ Kate thanked him for the update, adding, ‘Let me know if you find anything on his computer.’

Kate dropped the phone into its cradle as she struggled to contain her frustration. Six hours had passed since they’d brought Jackson in for questioning, and they were no closer to evidentially tying him to the crime.