Stacey knocked on the door that she’d discovered earlier in the week.

After driving her here, Stacey had insisted that Devon go home. Stacey was barely half a mile from her own home, and Devon had a 6 a.m. start.

The drive from Penn’s home had done little to stifle her irritation, which was still evident when the door opened.

‘Mr Dunn, I think we need another chat about your daughter,’ she said, making no effort to conceal her anger.

‘Do you have any idea what time?…’

Yes, Stacey knew it was almost ten at night and she didn’t care. ‘I’m happy to do this on the doorstep, down the station or inside, Mr Dunn, your choice.’

‘Come in,’ he said, standing aside.

She stepped into the lounge and waited for him to close the front door and join her.

‘Is your daughter here, Mr Dunn?’

He shook his head and forced a questioning frown on to his face. ‘Why would she be here? I told you I haven’t seen her since she was four years old.’

‘Yes, I remember that’s what you said, but you weren’t telling the truth, were you?’ she asked, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. It was his daughter she was searching for and he had lied to her.

‘You took a look around the house yourself?’ he said, evasively.

‘And I’m going to do it again,’ she said. ‘Only this time I’m calling a forensics team to help me and if they find any trace of Jessie here in this house, you are going to be in some serious trouble,’ she said, taking out her phone.

Indecision showed on his face. He was wondering if she was telling the truth.

She decided to clear that one up for him.

‘You told me about all the tests that Jessie had when the three of you were a family. You mentioned MRIs which Jessie never had until she was in her teens, way after the time you left. You couldn’t have known that unless someone told you and I’m guessing it was Jessie herself.’

He looked to the ground and said nothing.

Stacey was not prepared to back down. It had been a long day.

‘Mr Dunn, if I call forensics in they will find traces of her if she’s been here. Just one hair or DNA sample will catch you out, and then I’m going to wonder exactly what it is you’re hiding from—’

He held up his hand. ‘Okay, she was here,’ he said, slumping down on to the sofa.

She put away her phone and sat in the single armchair.

‘But why did you lie?’ she asked.

‘I didn’t want to get her into any trouble. Her mother doesn’t know we’re in contact and wouldn’t be very pleased if she did, but whatever has happened Jessie is my daughter and I love her.’

‘How did you find her?’

He smiled. ‘I didn’t. She found me. On Facebook of all places.’ He shook his head. ‘Don’t get the fascination with it myself but I play for a local cricket team and they put updates about fixtures and dates and stuff on the Facebook page. She sent me a message, and it was one of the happiest days of my life.’

Stacey thought about his reaction to her threat about finding just one hair.

‘The other times she ran away, she was here, wasn’t she?’

He hesitated before nodding. ‘Just one night. I know I should have sent her home both times, but she was here and she wanted to spend time with me. It was a gift I just couldn’t turn down.’

‘And a part of you wanted to pay back her mother?’ Stacey asked.

‘If I’m honest, yes. But I sent her away this time. She was here on Saturday afternoon. The day before she disappeared. She wanted to stay for a day or two, and I said no even though I was desperate to say yes. I told her to go home and talk to her mother. I thought it was the right thing to do. I drove by the house later and saw her bedroom light on, so I knew she’d gone home. I thought that would be the end of it.’

‘Did she say why she wanted to stay with you?’ Stacey asked.

He shook his head. ‘Just wanted to be alone, needed some space.’

‘Did she ever mention any issues with Emma?’

He shook his head.

‘And you’re telling me the whole truth this time?’ Stacey asked.

‘The last time I saw Jessie was on Saturday afternoon and I swear to you that I haven’t seen her since.’

Right now Stacey wasn’t sure whether she believed him or not.