No.'

Dunnett shifted in his chair beside her.

Sir, you know me better than that. Things are coming to a head. We're homing in on him, and he's starting to panic. That's why he was watching my house. He knows that the pressure is on. He'll also know that time spent watching me and my family is time wasted, time that he could be spending removing some of the traces that he's left behind. And he was nearly caught. So he won't do it again. He's not some berserk individual who's lashing out uncontrollably. That's just not his style. Everything he does is careful and controlled.'

So why was he watching your house and family?' Dunnett asked.

It was just a game to him. Curiosity. And the speed of our reaction would have scared him. He shot off like a bullet when he heard the sirens, according to my neighbour. It was a serious error of judgement on his part, and he'll have realised it. I don't think he'll try it again. I think Matt's precautions are perfectly adequate. Our man now knows that the case against Berzins has been dropped. He'll go back into his hole. He'll only venture out to remove another link that he realises could be used to trace him. The people at risk are his ex-partners, Tracy Beck and Sasha Purfleet, not me, and not my family.'

I'm not convinced,' Dunnett said.

We couldn't take a holiday anyway. Jade is in the middle of a heavy year at school, and Martin's a senior teacher. Do you think he could just walk away like that?'

He would if the lives of his wife and daughters were at risk, surely?'

But they're not. Look, the house is empty. None of the neighbours know where we're staying. They've all been asked to look out for anything suspicious and report it. The same applies to Martin's colleagues and Jade's school, including her friends. You'd be putting the investigation at risk if you did this.'

Are you saying that Matt and Kevin McGreedie couldn't cope?' asked Dunnett.

Sophie looked at the ACC. Jim, I'm not responding to that comment. It's completely below the belt. You know how I feel about Matt and Kevin. They're friends as well as colleagues. Kevin even accompanied Hannah, my elder daughter, on the train as far as Bournemouth to make sure she was safe when she went back to London. I will not accept this suggestion. If you want me off this case, you'll have to order me off. And accept whatever decisions I make as a consequence.'

The ensuing silence seemed to stretch for minutes.

We'll review at the end of the week,' Metcalfe finally said. He stood up. We'll leave things as they are until then. I suggest Friday morning at ten. Sophie, can you stay, please?'

Dunnett and Silver left. Dunnett's face was red and angry.

Metcalfe waited until the door closed behind them. Don't pull that stunt again, Sophie. You're only a DCI, remember. It might just backfire on you.'

What makes you think it was a stunt? I always mean what I say, Jim. You should know that. That son of a bitch has been needling me from the start. Maybe you didn't know that, but you do now. If I thought that he was genuine in his wish for my family's safety, I wouldn't have responded in that way. But he's as shallow as a rain puddle. I just wish I knew what I've done to upset him.'

I don't want to hear this, Sophie. Just make it work, that's all I'm asking. I can't have two of my middle-ranking colleagues at logger-heads like this. So get over it. And I won't be so understanding on Friday if we're no further forward. Okay?'

Thanks, Jim.'

And if you're right, then we need to look after your man's exes. Do whatever you think necessary. You've got one out of her home and into a hotel. Now do the same for the others. We can't afford to lose any previous victims.'

He put a hand on her arm. Just take care, Sophie. I don't want to lose you, and I don't want this case to go down the pan. The wolves are beginning to circle, even though you can't see them.'

Sophie called in to see Berzins at the safe house on her way back to Swanage. She told him of her decision to release the news that charges against him had been dropped. She advised him that it would be safer for him to remain where he was for a few more days.

Sophie was back in the incident room, talking to Marsh. How's the check on Susie's contacts going?'

Reasonable. We've managed to talk to about half of the ones we've phoned. I expect a lot of them will be at work. It would have been a lot worse if they'd all been landlines. At least with mobiles we can get through to people even if they aren't at home. I reckon we'll be through the list by mid-afternoon. That's the first trawl. We'll then start trying again for the half that didn't answer first time round. It could take until mid-evening, and I can guarantee that there'll still be a couple left.'

He took a sip from his coffee mug.

Another thing, ma'am. Gwen Davies from Hampshire was on the phone just now. She hasn't been able to trace Debbie Martinez anywhere. She managed to get a number for a cousin in London but she hasn't seen Debbie for a couple of years. None of the other London family members have either. Her cousin assumed that she was still in Southampton, but there's no trace of her there. She seems to have vanished.'

I just hope we're not too late. I'll phone Jack Dunning and let him know. We need to start a major search for her.'

How did Donna's brother take the news about the decision to drop charges against Berzins?'

He was angry at first. But he finally accepted it. And he was mollified by the fact that he can move into Donna's flat now we've finished with it. Berzins, of course, was pleased for it to be out in the open.'

So David Goodenough is staying?' Sophie said.

Yes. He said he's taken some overdue leave from his job, and will stay until after the funeral. It makes sense. There's so much for him to organise, with both mother and sister's affairs to settle. It must be a shattering time for him.'

Tom Rose came into the room. We have the details on the flat transfer. But I think it just confirms what you already knew. Her grandmother was Deirdre Goodenough and she'd lived in the flat for a good ten years. I have the details here. There was no luck with the local travel agents, so I sent someone up to the hotel to speak to Maria, Donna's workmate. She said that Donna had mentioned booking it on the internet, and had gone with a friend, singular. But it was before Donna started working at the hotel, so Maria doesn't know any other details.'

That's great, Tom. Thanks for your help.' Sophie looked puzzled. Just then, Melsom burst into the room, a broad grin on his face.

Gottit!' he shouted. Got the car!'

They went through to a small room that had been darkened for the video search. A frame was frozen on screen. It showed a grubby Ford Fiesta disembarking from the Sandbanks ferry. The frame was timed at twelve thirty on the previous Friday. The driver looked like their suspect, his face almost identical to the photofit image. The car registration plate was obscured by mud.

Jimmy, see what you can do about getting that number plate identified. Can we clean up the image somehow?'

Marsh said, Ma'am, there's someone at county forensics who's an expert at this kind of thing. I'll phone through, get their email address and give it to Jimmy. He can do a screen grab and email it across. It'll be a lot quicker than wasting time on it ourselves.'

Good idea, Barry. Now where does this get us?'

He left here and went east. That means he probably lives in east Poole, Bournemouth or somewhere further along the coast. And because of Debbie Martinez, we have to go as far as Southampton. In fact, I'd suggest Southampton as a strong possibility. Gwen Davies always assumed he was local. As far as we know, Debbie was the first person to report him.'

Where's Lydia, by the way?'

She got Donna's student address. She's across in Bournemouth trying the neighbours. Kevin McGreedie has arranged for some uniformed bods to help her. She's also using his influence to get Sasha Purfleet moved to somewhere safe.'

That's not going to be easy if she's an addict. She's not going to manage a fix if she's in a safe house, is she?'

Marsh shrugged. What else can we do?'

Nothing, of course. By the way, did anything come from the photos from the university?'

I've got a couple of the local guys checking them in the back room downstairs. Maybe we should go and check.'

Several of the photos taken by students showed their elusive quarry by himself early in the evening. He was beside Donna only in the photos from mid-evening onwards.

So it looks like he met her at that Christmas ball. He came by himself, met Donna and stayed with her. They started a relationship and things were fine for a few months. But then the violence started. It's so similar to the story that Tracy Beck told us. I think we have a pretty clear idea of how he works. We'll get Lydia back in once she's made the arrangements for Sasha Purfleet. I need her in Poole, looking after Tracy. That's now one of the main priorities.' She thought for a moment. Barry, can you get onto Bob Thompson? I want to know if he's found any evidence that confirms it was Susie Pater who went to Corfu with Donna. Ask him to find out if Susie's friend Bernice knows.'

She left to make the phone calls from the main incident room. Marsh followed her.

He's only just out of reach now, Barry. We're getting close.'

I wish I could share your optimism, ma'am.'

I want to know more about Donna's grandmother. Can you organise some visits to all of the neighbours in Gilbert Road? Find out about her. How long she'd had the flat, whether she lived locally before then, whether people remember her. The usual stuff. There's something here that doesn't sit easy in my mind.'

Melsom waved from his desk. I've traced Warrander, ma'am. He's with one of the big finance companies in Bournemouth.'

Get onto them, Jimmy. Confirm it, then we'll go across and see him right now before he finishes work. And well done.'

George Warrander still sported the spiky hairstyle from the student photos, although his eyes were serious. His voice was surprisingly deep. He was waiting for them in the lobby of the building. He stood up as they entered, walking forward in order to shake their hands, Sophie first. He was wearing a deep blue suit, a red tie and smartly polished black shoes. The only similarities to the university photographs were his hairstyle and his fresh complexion.

He ushered them across to a collection of seats set out around a small, low table with publicity brochures spread across the surface.

Have you worked here long, Mr Warrander?' Sophie asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair. Just over a year,' he replied. I started the autumn after I graduated. I landed a summer job here while I was still a student and worked most holidays after that when they needed extra staff. I even did a few weekends. I got on well with everyone, so they offered me a permanent job once I finished my degree. I was really lucky.'

He seemed an open and amiable young man and Sophie guessed that it wasn't mere luck that had secured him the job. What do you do exactly?'

I'm a trainee business manager specialising in links with France. I kept up a French language option while I was a student, and it's paid off well. I don't think I'd have landed the job without it.'

Why didn't you contact us when you saw the press reports about Donna's murder?' Sophie asked. The story's been in the press for over a week now, with her name very prominent. Surely you must have known it was her? Goodenough isn't a very common name.'

I've been on holiday,' he replied. I only got back two days ago, so I've been out of the loop. When you contacted me it came as a real shock, I can tell you. I've read every paper I've been able to lay my hands on since then. I can't believe it. I still feel sick when I think about it. She was such a lovely person.'

Sophie glanced across at Melsom and nodded slightly. He walked across to the reception desk, then moved towards the lift.

Confirming that I was away?' Warrander asked.

Sophie nodded. In a case like this we double-check everything. I'd like you to take me back to when you first met Donna. Tell me everything you remember about her. We're still trying to build up a picture of her life here, why she left and what happened to her subsequently.'

I met her at freshers' week, the September she started. I was on the student committee for the business course. I was just about to start my final year, so I was a couple of years ahead of her. She visited my stall and we got chatting. She was very easy to talk to, and we got on really well. She was very mature for her age. I thought at first that she was maybe an older student, but she was just eighteen. We hit it off right away. I think she wanted more but I was on the rebound from a relationship that had gone disastrously wrong and wasn't ready to get too involved. Anyway, that came out a bit later. I went to the freshers' ball with her and to several other functions during her first term, and we'd meet up for chats.' He paused. I really missed her, you know, when we stopped meeting up. Some months afterwards, when she was seeing someone else, I began to think that I'd totally messed up in not taking it further. We got on so well. In some ways better than any other girl I've known. It's just that I wasn't ready for any serious entanglement at the time.'

So you saw her fairly regularly during that first term, but then it stopped? Is that right? What was the reason?'

I suppose she got fed up with me dithering about. She started seeing someone else and I'd lost my chance. I regretted it within a few months and missed seeing her for our chats over coffee or in the bar.'

When did she meet her next boyfriend?'

He thought for a few moments before replying. I think it was at the Christmas ball. I took her along, then we separated as usual. I think she got off with someone midway through the evening.'

Did you meet again very much after that?'

No. The Christmas break came within a few days, and we both went home for that. When we returned she was clearly involved with someone, and I didn't want to spoil things for her so I kept my distance. I began to realise what a mistake I'd made. But it was my last year and my finals were looming. I really had to get my head down and get stuck into the work. And once the exams were out of the way, that was it. I wasn't on the campus any more, other than when I graduated.'

I want you to take me back to that ball. Did you know the man she met there?'

No. I didn't recognise him at all. But then there's a huge student population on the campus. We only ever know a small proportion of the students, mainly just those doing the same subject.'

Can you remember much about him? What he looked like? Did you talk to him at all?'

He was tall and quite heavily built. Kind of athletic looking. But I don't remember much else, except that he didn't seem to smile much. I did speak to them very briefly, just to ask Donna if she needed me to see her home. But she said that she was okay. There was something about him that I couldn't put my finger on. The way he looked at me. It was kind of distant and watchful. But maybe I was imagining it. As I turned away I heard her say to him that I was a bit like a brother to her. Then it hit home that maybe I'd misjudged things with her. But it was too late.'

Did Donna use his name at all?'

I think she called him Andy, but I can't be sure.'

One other question, Mr Warrander. Did Donna ever talk about her family background?'

Once or twice. Sometimes she'd seem a bit quiet and withdrawn. Not quite depressed, but getting there. I used to ask her if she wanted to talk about what was bothering her, but she'd usually shake her head. She did tell me once that family life back home was a bit fraught and she was worried about her dad. The only other time she told me anything, it really threw me. She'd been adopted as a baby.'

Sophie sat silently for a few moments.

Did she ever mention this again?'

No, never. It was only the once.'

Melsom returned and nodded to Sophie as he sat down.

Is it true how she died?' Warrander asked. Was she stabbed?'

Yes. Late at night just after she finished work. She was on her way home.'

I haven't been able to sleep since I found out. It makes me feel so sick. I mean physically nauseous. She was a really nice person and it all makes me realise how much I miss her. It's just unbelievable.'

Do you have a girlfriend now, Mr Warrander?'

Yes. That's who I was on holiday with. But I still keep feeling that I let Donna down somehow. It plays over and over in my mind.'

None of it is your fault, trust me. All any of us can do is to make the best judgements we can in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. And from what you've said, I think that you were absolutely right at the time to wait and not rush into a relationship with her. It's pretty clear to us that she came from a broken family background, so she needed a friend as she started something new like university. And you were that friend. There's no need for you to feel any guilt. Not that my words will give you much comfort in the short term, I know.'

Did you see her?' he asked.

Sophie nodded. Yes. I saw her within an hour of her body being found, and several times later. I saw how beautiful she was.'

Warrander looked at her. It must be terrible for you. How do you cope?'

Because it's my job to cope. It's my job to find out who did it and bring them to justice. And I will, Mr Warrander, I will do that.'

I'd like to be at her funeral.'

We'll let you know the details when we know ourselves.'

She stood up and shook his hand again before they turned towards the door.

If I wanted to join the police, it wouldn't be too late for me, would it?'

She passed him her card. No, it wouldn't be too late. Contact me, if you decide you're interested.'