The dark, snaking roads led to a bridge over the carriageway then onto Briggs’s road. The car bumped over the potholes until it finally settled on the flat. Gina steered tightly into the only available parking space and got out of the car. There were only a couple of lights on in the row of small terraced houses, and only a few street lamps lit the way. Her heart began to flutter again. What was she doing? What was it about Briggs?

She followed the thin footpath towards his house. She’d only ever popped by once before, to drop some reports off to him on her way home. She remembered his home seeming warm and cosy. He’d had a wood burner on the go and he’d made her a warm milky coffee.

His dog barked as she approached the gate. She followed the small path down the side of the house, feeling along the wall as the lamplight disappeared. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and used it to light the way. As she turned into the back garden, a security light came on. Worms glistened on the path below. Her stomach turned as she carefully stepped over them. She’d hated worms ever since one of the boys at school had thrown one at her.

The dog continued barking and began scrabbling against the back door. ‘Jessie, it’s okay, girl. It’s just Gina,’ Briggs said.

Jessie dashed past Gina and sniffed the grass, where she stooped instantly, relieving herself. ‘I hope you like egg and chips. It’s about the extent of my culinary talents,’ Briggs said. The old Labrador pushed its way back into the house and shook its wet coat all over the kitchen.

‘I love egg and chips,’ Gina replied. Holding a spatula in one hand, Briggs moved to the side so that she could enter. His kitchen smelled of hot oil, a smell she wasn’t overly keen on. She watched as he continued pouring the chips in the fryer. She hadn’t often seen him in casual wear, but his jeans fitted his tall, stocky body well. He turned, almost bumping into her and stopped. It was then she knew. There was nothing of Terry in Briggs. Okay, he was hard and a bit rough around the edges, but she wanted him. There was no denying the fact.

‘Can I get you a drin—’

She placed her finger over his mouth, removed it, then kissed him hard. She needed something, someone, some close human contact. He kissed her back. She dragged his jumper over his head and dropped it to the floor. She unbuttoned her shirt and let it fall on top of his jumper. He placed his warm hands behind her back and unclipped her bra, before leading her to the rug in the lounge.

‘I want you now,’ she whispered, as he nuzzled her ears and lay next to her. Within seconds their bodies were entangled on the floor. Gina reached over and flicked the lamp off. The moon shone through the curtains, lighting up their almost naked bodies. Briggs stroked and kissed her. As he reached her breasts, she undid his fly and straddled him. He was ready; she was ready. With one trouser leg off and his jeans half on, she took all that he had to offer. She felt his breathing increase in speed as his open mouth found hers. He kissed her hard as they found their end.

‘You said you liked danger,’ she said as she leaned to the side.

‘I like your version of danger. Good job you turned the lights off,’ he said as he sat up. ‘My neighbour is just walking his dog.’

She laughed – and then the fire alarm went off. ‘Bloody chip pan,’ he yelled as he leaped up, almost tripping over his jeans as he darted to the kitchen. ‘Do you like pizza?’ He threw her shirt at her.

---

Gina leaned back into the sofa cushions. ‘So, we have a hooded figure, a black dog, red diesel. Let’s run a few thoughts. What would Deborah be experiencing? Maybe she’s on farmland, or in a house? In a room, a cellar? Would there be an outhouse or a shed of some description? A caravan, maybe? Does he live alone? He must do. How could anyone else stand by while someone’s being held captive? How many people live on farms alone? Or are they in cahoots? Could there be two of them? Could the other one be Avery?’ Gina ran through the list of possibilities as Briggs listened.

‘Maybe this person lives with someone,’ he said. ‘Maybe he doesn’t let her or him into his own private space. Maybe they’re scared of him, and they don’t understand or know? Does he have a family? How does all this tie in with Deborah’s life pre-disappearance?’ They were coming up with questions and no answers, no evidence, nothing pointing to any one person. Briggs leaned over her and grabbed another slice of pizza from the coffee table. ‘Wine?’

‘Not for me. I’ve got to drive home,’ she replied. He topped up his half-full glass and took a bite of pizza.

She thought back to Avery’s sickly smile. There was still something about the pub she couldn’t fathom, something that kept bringing her back to Avery. The relationships amongst the staff weren’t sitting well with her. She’d found Charlene happily working with Avery as if all was normal in their workplace. Had he sexually assaulted Deborah?

‘You’ve been married before, haven’t you?’ Briggs asked.

‘Yes. And you?’

‘Yes. Divorced. We were far too young when we met. She remarried an office worker. He’s home at five thirty every night.’

‘We were too young as well. I was so stupid back then,’ Gina said, and paused. ‘Back then, Terry was working in a tyre garage just down the road from the college. Every day, he’d smile as I passed. Eventually I agreed to a date, only a walk. I should’ve known that the relationship wasn’t going to go well from that point. He was late, really late, and I waited for ages, like a muppet. When he eventually arrived, he was so sweet that I forgave him instantly. Stupid.’

‘We’ve all been made a fool of,’ Briggs replied as he took a gulp of his wine.

But Terry had been bad from the start, and Gina had chosen to ignore the signs because she craved something from him: love, attention, self-esteem maybe.

She checked her phone for messages. There was still nothing from Hannah. She opened up Facebook to see if Hannah had posted any updates. For a change, there was nothing angry, just a couple of photos of Gracie sitting in her highchair with a yoghurt beard. Her finger hovered over the like button, but she didn’t press it.

‘Am I boring you?’

‘No, sorry. Family troubles. My daughter’s not talking to me at the moment.’ As she made to put her phone down, it began to ring. ‘Jacob?’

‘I just thought I’d see if there was anything new to report,’ he said.

‘Wyre and O’Connor are still typing up the reports from earlier. They should be available to view soon. I’m heading home in a minute. I’ll type up all my notes too, then I’ll email you. How’re you feeling?’ Gina asked. Jessie began to bark as the wind howled.

‘Sick, tired, headachy, full of it. Have you got a dog now?’

‘No. It’s just the neighbour’s dog.’ Briggs went red as he held in a snigger. ‘I was talking to Wyre earlier, and we have a few thoughts. I’ll fill you in as soon as I get back. I won’t be long. Got to go.’ She ended the call and slumped back into the sofa as Briggs burst into fits of laughter.

‘That was close,’ she said. ‘What the hell are we doing?’

‘We’re doing what most mature, healthy adults do,’ he replied.

‘I’d best go.’

‘Why don’t you stay? You’ve got your laptop in the car, haven’t you? And I have an unopened toothbrush in the cupboard.’

‘Always prepared?’

‘No. Mine is getting scraggy.’

‘I’ll pass. I have to feed my cat.’

‘Okay.’ He stood and walked with her towards the door. She grabbed her coat and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Maybe another time,’ he said.

‘Maybe. I’ll leave you to deal with your chip pan. Goodnight, Chris.’

She looked at the time on her phone as she headed towards her car. It was almost nine. The past couple of hours had flown by. She needed to get home, type up her notes and message Jacob before it got any later.