Leaning back in the car seat, Kate wondered if she was doing the right thing getting Armitage involved, but it was the only way. Her name had been dragged through the mud too many times to be taken seriously without his support.

She continued to watch his reflection in the rear-view mirror as he pored over the handwritten notes she’d passed him when she’d finally convinced him to get into the back of Finn’s car. She could almost feel Amy’s spirit nearby urging her towards the finish line. Finn would be back with the drinks any moment.

Armitage finally looked up from the papers. ‘And Mr Daniels is prepared to go on record and confirm what he told you about Elaine Coleridge?’

She nodded. ‘In his eyes he didn’t do anything wrong. From what he told us, he first came across Elaine when one of her schoolteachers reported suspicious bruising on her back. He said he met with Coleridge Senior and questioned him extensively about the injuries, but it was concluded that Elaine was just clumsy. Daniels told me Coleridge didn’t smell of booze, was well presented and spoke passionately about his love for his daughter. There was no way for Daniels to know that Coleridge Senior was a high-functioning alcoholic.

‘It would seem that Coleridge and Elaine left the area shortly after, and three months later Mrs O’Brien met with the child. Again, it was a teacher who reported the suspicious markings. This time Elaine was also questioned but denied the accusations against her father. Despite her misgivings – as her dementia-suffering, widowed husband recalled – Mrs O’Brien allowed Elaine to return home, but recommended further investigation. Of course, Coleridge Senior moved her on again, this time to the Midlands where Dr Olufabe became involved.’

‘So what’s the motive? Revenge because they allowed the father to continue to drunkenly abuse Elaine? Why go after them? Why not go to the source of the pain?’

‘Because Coleridge Senior died a month before Brookes’s release. It’s possible that Brookes wasn’t aware of the full extent of the abuse as he was inside for years during this period. The messages in the cards – Now you know how I felt – tells us exactly why he did it. For whatever reason, Brookes held these four individuals responsible for his sister’s death, and went after their daughters.’

‘So who is Mickelson?’

Kate couldn’t answer for certain. ‘Maybe there’s a fourth victim we haven’t tied to the investigation. It will require more digging.’

‘What you’re suggesting is based on a lot of circumstantial evidence.’

‘I know. But I think it’s enough for you to take it further and focus on Brookes, sorry, I mean Dominic Coleridge. If you bring him in, I’m sure you’ll get what you need. Please, Trevor. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I’m not wrong this time.’

Armitage finally cracked a smile. ‘I don’t doubt it, Kate. And I’m not surprised that you were the one to finally piece the case together. I knew if I pushed you away enough you’d keep searching. It’s who you are. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t have you in my team, because you’re far too high maintenance, but this is good work.’

Kate gave him an uneasy look, she was sure there was a compliment in there somewhere. ‘So, what next?’

‘We’ll raid his flat and arrest him.’

‘I want to interview him.’

‘No chance, Matthews.’

She turned to face him. ‘Please, Trevor, at least let me be there. I need to look into his eyes when he tells us why he killed Amy, too. She had nothing to do with what happened to his sister, nor did her parents, but he must have realised somehow that she was on to him.’

‘I’m sorry, Kate, but you know I can’t have you anywhere near the station when we bring him in. I don’t need to remind you that you’re still suspended from active duty. You’ve done really well with this and I’m glad you had the sense to bring it to me, but you need to let me carry the baton to the end now. I promise I’ll keep you in the loop with what he tells us, but it’s time for you to return to Southampton. And looking at the state of your foot, I’d recommend you see a doctor ASAP.’

He opened the rear door and climbed out, before leaning through her window. ‘This time I mean it when I say to stay out of it, Kate. I’ll make a deal with you. If you promise to stay out of our way, I will confirm the moment he’s in custody. Wait for me at the station, and I’ll phone ahead so they know to expect you.’

Kate watched Armitage walking away, disappointed with his reaction, but knowing he was right. For once she would do as instructed. For now, anyway.