‘I don’t believe this,’ she said, re-reading the same line of the flyer over and over again, through the transparent bag. ‘I was there that day, I must have just missed him.’

DCI Jamieson unbuttoned his suit jacket and hung it on the chair. ‘Probably. So far, this man has passed through Haven unnoticed. But to quote Doctor Locard, “every contact leaves a trace”.’ As if to assure himself more than anyone else, he added, ‘It won’t be long before we catch up with him.’

But Jennifer wasn’t so sure. She believed that the best way to find Raven would be through The Reborners. While she relayed everything she knew in briefing, she fell short at giving them the name of the Facebook group. She justified her actions by telling herself it was the right thing to do. Operation Moonlight would investigate the Second Chance Group, and she’d infiltrate it herself if she had to.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jennifer did not normally telephone her sister before calling over, but her gut told her not to drop by without checking first. She was grateful for Will’s invitation of a late supper, and would have just enough time to drop over the kids’ Easter eggs if she left soon. Having to work a rest day on such a harrowing case had heightened her stress levels, and she needed some normality to ground her, before going to see Will.

She switched on the house lamps as the dark closed in, and clicked up the heating dial a couple of notches. It may have been spring, but a chill was still capable of descending, and the high ceilings in her Victorian semi devoured the heat. The underfloor heating warmed the soles of her feet as she waited for her sister to pick up the phone. She was about to hang up when Amy answered, and Jennifer detected a slight edge in her voice in her greeting.

’Hey sis, I was thinking of popping over with Josh’s Easter egg, will you be in?’

Silence descended on the other side. Jennifer was about to speak when her sister piped up.

‘Em, sorry, could you leave it until tomorrow? I’m … not free this evening.’

Jennifer’s fingers wrapped tightly around the phone as her stomach clenched. ‘It’s dad, isn’t it, you’re meeting up with him.’

Amy spoke in a flat voice. ‘I don’t want to argue with you, just come tomorrow instead, all right?’

Jennifer bit her bottom lip, holding back the words that would only hurt her later. ‘OK. I’ve … I’ve got a toy for Lily, I didn’t think you’d want her eating chocolate yet.’

The relief in her sister’s voice was audible. ‘I’m sure she’ll love it. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?’

Jennifer rested the house phone back into its cradle. Pulling the clips from her hair, she allowed the glossy strands to tumble down her back. She threaded her fingers through to her scalp, massaging where the clips had dug in too tightly. She needed a day in a spa, or somewhere nice, where she could relax and forget all about family, work, or the Raven. But who was she kidding? Having to sit and relax for hours at a time would drive her crazy. It was just like now, when she was trying to think of anything except her father. Yet the more she tried to drive him from her mind, the more space he occupied.

Jennifer eyed the children’s presents. The purple and yellow Easter egg packaging looked out of place in her minimalistic home. She could put it in the boot of the car, in preparation for her visit tomorrow night. She stroked the fur of the soft bunny rabbit she had bought for Lily. Thumper was becoming her favourite Disney character, and she could imagine her niece’s chubby little fingers enveloping the toy in a hug.

Jennifer grabbed her car keys and locked her front door behind her. The street lights flicked on and a cool breeze played with her hair as she shoved the presents in the boot of her car. She toyed with the car keys. Dad was probably at Amy’s right now, having made the journey from wino city or wherever he lived. She snorted. Just what business had he, going around to her sister’s and breaking up a happy home? She found herself climbing into the front seat, and placing her keys in the ignition. Clicking her safety belt she adjusted the mirror, catching sight of her harassed reflection staring back accusingly at her. Just what the hell are you thinking? Going to see your father when you tore a strip off your sister for doing the same thing.

‘It’s not as if I’m going to talk to him,’ Jennifer mumbled to the mirror. ‘If he turns up pissed, I’ll call for backup and have him taken away.’

Jennifer parked her car behind a van next door from her sister’s. Amy was unlikely to be looking out for her, and the housing estate streetlights offered a certain camouflage as they tinged the parked cars in the same orange hue. It reminded her of some of the covert jobs she had been on, camping out in some old dear’s home to watch the neighbours from their bedroom window. They had been so obliging, laying on ham sandwiches and a pot of tea before making themselves scarce. Jennifer was not so sure she’d be as accommodating if a couple of police officers wanted to intrude on her privacy. The blinds were closed in Amy’s home, with the usual flash of blue and white filtering through the curtains as their television entertained the children. She turned off the car radio as the seven o’clock news ended. Joshua would be in bed soon, and she longed to give him a goodnight cuddle.

She checked her phone for the tenth time. She had not heard anything since Zoe’s call earlier in the day. Pleased she had gained access to the group, she was spending her evening scrolling through old discussions. There was lots of talk of second chances and starting again, but members were warned not to give away the location of their meetings online. Such activity would result in an instant ban, and Zoe mused that much of the information was exchanged through private messaging. For now, she was integrating herself as a troubled teen seeking help.

Jennifer slid her phone back into her pocket, returning her attention to Amy’s house as the minutes ticked by. Twiddling with the ends of her hair, she wondered if she had it wrong. Perhaps Amy had just arranged to telephone her father, or Skype him with the kids. They certainly wouldn’t have wanted Jennifer’s face popping up during that conversation. She grasped the keys to turn over the ignition when a sporty-looking BMW drove past, with a recently registered plate. Jennifer narrowed her eyes as it braked, then parked next to the kerb outside Amy’s home.

Jennifer scooted down in her seat, her stomach doing somersaults. She watched as Amy’s front door opened, and she walked out to greet her visitors, wearing what looked like a new dress. Her sister’s hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she beamed as the car doors opened. A tall blonde woman stepped out onto the pavement, closely followed by the driver, who took her sister in a tight embrace, kissing the top of her head as they broke apart.

Jennifer clasped her hand in front of her mouth as bile clawed its way up her throat. Seeing her father again brought all the old feelings flooding back, the anxiety she had fought so hard to control was now sending her thoughts into a whirlwind of confusion. His blonde companion kissed Amy on the cheek, and it was clear this was not their first meeting.

He looked well, more than well, he looked handsome. His dark wavy hair was now cropped neatly at the sides. His moustache had disappeared, and his clean-shaven face revealed a strong, square jawline. No longer was he walking with shoulders hunched over, hands gripped around a can of beer. Smartly dressed in a black jacket and trousers, he carried himself with a self-assured walk, and as his hand found his companion’s waist, Jennifer guessed they were a couple. She was wearing a blue tie dress with matching heels, and carried herself with an air of sophistication.