Not as far as I know. We've been concentrating just on the immediate area up here, but I think we'd have heard if it had been found.'

Umbrella?'

Again, no.'

Sophie nodded and turned back up the slope towards the hotel. She and Melsom hurried to the main entrance and entered a warm, panelled reception area. She introduced herself at the desk and the hotel manager, a soberly dressed, dark-haired woman in her forties, quickly appeared and ushered them into her office. She looked pale, but was businesslike as she spoke to the two officers.

I'm Jenny Burrows, the manager. I can't tell you how shocked we all are by this. Is it true?'

Officially, I can't confirm or deny until we have a firm identification, but unofficially we are almost certain. And that information is for you only, Mrs Burrows. If any of the staff ask, just say that you can't comment at present. I'd like you to tell me about Donna if you can. Start with her employment here.'

She started with us only three months ago. We lost a lot of our temporary summer staff when the universities and colleges went back, and we were under-staffed in the bar for the autumn. It can still be quite busy here right through to Christmas. We advertised, and Donna was the best of the people who responded. I have to say that she's been terrific. Always willing to lend a hand and do extra if needed. I was only talking to her a couple of days ago about moving her into reception work to get more experience. I think she had the makings of a really good manager once she'd got the training.'

What was her background?'

Apparently she dropped out of a university degree halfway through. I don't know the reason. She wouldn't talk about it when I asked at her interview, just saying that it was in the past and she wanted to forget it. I only know that it was some type of business degree. She was obviously very intelligent.' She paused. Look, I need some tea. I just feel numbed by all this. Would you like some?'

Sophie nodded. Please.'

The manager called through to reception to make the request. Sophie continued her questioning.

Where was she from?'

She had some local connections. Her grandmother lived in Swanage and Donna's flat was left to her by her gran when she died. That's why she decided to come here. It's also possible that her mother lives fairly locally. I think that she might live in a cottage in one of the villages. I don't know which one. Donna didn't talk about her mother anywhere near as much as her gran.'

Who would know which village?'

She was often on duty with one of our other girls, Maria Jones. She might know.'

She pulled her jacket closer in. Her hands were trembling.

This is just awful. I can't believe it's happening.' Tears welled up in her eyes.

Is there anyone else, Mrs Burrows? Who else might know?' Sophie asked.

I've heard that she's been seeing one of our junior chefs, Vilis Berzins. He's from Latvia.'

I'd like to see them both please, once we've finished.'

Jenny Burrows looked ashen. Maria's in, but Vilis didn't turn up for the lunchtime session. Chef phoned through with the news just before you arrived.'

Can you get his address, please, and give it to DC Melsom here? Meanwhile I'll see Maria. Is there another office I can use?'

He doesn't have a separate address, Chief Inspector. He stays in our staff accommodation, and he doesn't seem to be there. No one's seen him since breakfast.'

Sophie thought quickly.

I need that office, if you could find one quickly. Then, please, find Maria and send her along. Can you then get me a list of everyone on the kitchen staff? Find the person who was closest to this Vilis Berzins and send him along too. When did he finish work yesterday?'

He was on the evening shift, so he would have been here until about ten thirty.'

Sorry if my manner appears a bit sharp,' Sophie replied. You've been very helpful so far. Could you do one more thing, and secure the door of Berzins' room, please?'

She looked at Melsom. Jimmy, could you go along with Mrs Burrows? Get a couple of uniformed guys up here. I want all the staff to remain on site until we've spoken to them, and I don't want anyone to go into his room. If necessary, stay there until someone else arrives. Then get a description of Berzins from the chef and confirm his shift time yesterday, and when he left. Phone the description across to the station, and ask them to keep a lookout for him. Get them to put it out to the other stations and the port authorities in Poole. Okay?'

She was shown into a small room just along the corridor. She phoned Marsh, asking him to come up to the hotel as soon as he'd finished interviewing Donna's neighbours.

Maria was shaking with sobs when she arrived to see Sophie, who poured her a cup of tea to help calm her down. She was younger than Donna, about eighteen. She was short and a little stout, with straight black hair held back in a ponytail. She wasn't heavily made-up, but her tears had made her mascara run.

Maria, we need your help. Mrs Burrows tells me that Donna's mother lives locally, but doesn't know where. Do you?'

I think she lives in Corfe. I don't know exactly where, but I got the idea it was on the west side of the village. It's an old cottage, I think.'

Have you ever met her mother?'

Maria shook her head.

Does she have the same name as Donna? Goodenough?'

Maria nodded. I think so.'

What about Vilis, Maria? How long has Donna been seeing him?'

About two months, I think. But it can't be him. He's so sweet. Honestly, he wouldn't hurt a fly. She really liked him. She was only saying a couple of days ago that they could have a future together.'

I'll bear that in mind, Maria. Tell me something else, if you can. When she started here, did she have some bruises on her face and arms?'

I don't know about her arms, she always had them covered. But she said that she'd fallen off a bike and got bashed on her face. It wasn't obvious. She used special make-up to cover the marks, otherwise she wouldn't have got the job here. Mrs Burrows is very particular about the way we look. I only saw them because we were going out one evening and I called at her flat. I was early, and she hadn't finished her make-up.'

She blew her nose.

Did she ever mention it again?'

No. I kind of got the feeling that she was a bit annoyed at me for mentioning the marks. So I never asked again. She was nice and everything, but she was a bit different to the rest of us on the bar staff.'

In what way?'

Well, she was cleverer. She knew a lot. And she kind of took control, a bit like you or Mrs Burrows. I never asked about the face-marks again.'

And was this before or after she started seeing Vilis?'

Oh, well before that. I've told you, he wouldn't hurt a fly. Lots of these guys from Eastern Europe really try it on with us, but he didn't. He's nice. I tried to get off with him once, but he wasn't interested. He's always kept himself to himself. Sends a lot of his money home to his family. But he fell for Donna big time. She's got class, and he saw that. And she's really pretty.'

Maria had brightened up as she was telling her story, but as she finished she started crying again. Maybe she realised that she'd switched to the present tense, thought Sophie.

I think that's all for now, Maria. You've been very helpful. We'll need a statement from you. One of my officers will take that later. Meanwhile if anything else occurs to you that could help us in any way, then find me or someone else from my squad. Here's my card. It has my personal contact numbers if you need them.'

Maria left, still sobbing. Sophie called the station and asked for a trace on the mother's address in Corfe. It came back as Cornerstone Cottage in West Street.

When she'd finished her call, she opened the door to a young man dressed in kitchen whites who looked nervous. His face was bony and pale-featured, with eyes of a washed-out blue.

Come in. You are a friend of Vilis's?'

He nodded. His facial expression gave nothing away.

What is your name?'

Georgs Vitols. I too am a trainee chef.'

Are you from Latvia as well, Georgs?'

Yes, we came across together.'

It appears that he has gone missing. Do you know why?'

No. But Vilis wouldn't be involved in any crime. He is very good man. He has no violence in him.' Georgs spoke with a pronounced Eastern European accent.

But why has he disappeared, Georgs?'

I cannot say. He went out after breakfast for a walk. He buys a newspaper sometimes. He says it will improve his English. He did not come back.'

Does he have a mobile phone?'

Georgs shrugged.

You've tried phoning him? No answer?'

This time there was a single nod.

What was he wearing?'

Blue clothes. He wears blue a lot. It is the colour of his favourite football team at home.'

How old is he? About your age?'

The young man shook his head as if he didn't know.

Where might he go, Georgs? Does he have a favourite spot? Maybe where he goes with Donna?'

He shrugged.

Georgs, if I don't get your cooperation, you may find that your time here will soon be over. I think you do know where he could be. A word from me in the right ears, and you could be on an early flight back to Latvia. Now I'll ask again, where does he go on his walks?'

The answer was sullen. Sometimes just along the front. But they sometimes walk to the point.'

And exactly how old is he?' asked Sophie.

Twenty.'

Right, thank you. You can go now, but you'll be interviewed fully by another officer later. And I'll expect you to be more helpful then. Stay in the building, please, and give me your mobile phone.'

You can't do that.'

This is a murder enquiry. Your phone has his contact number, and I don't want him warned. Hand it over or I'll arrest you for obstructing us in our inquiries.'

Vitols did as he was asked and left the room.

Sophie met Melsom in the foyer. A uniformed man was now stationed outside Berzins' room in the staff block at the rear of the hotel.

When Barry arrives I want the two of you to start taking statements from the staff, Jimmy. He should be here soon. Did you get a description of Berzins from the chef?'

Yes, ma'am. He's about five foot nine with short, dark hair. Clean-shaven. I've got a copy of the staff photo of him and it's a pretty clear one.'

Good thinking, Jimmy. Get it sent down to the station for circulation as soon as you can. Apparently he likes to wear blue. And he walks along the seafront. Could you phone that across to the station and ask all teams to keep a lookout? Could you sort all that? I'm going to take Lydia with me to Donna's mother.'

She was about to leave, but stopped abruptly.

Jimmy, were there any wet clothes in Berzins' room?'

No, ma'am. Not as far as I could see.'

Check again carefully, then have a look in other likely places in the hotel. If he was standing around waiting for Donna last night, he'd have got soaked. Oh, and when you speak to the staff find out who saw her last, just before she left. I want to know whether she had an umbrella with her.'

The other two detectives arrived. Sophie gave her orders and drove off with Pillay.

They were soon in Corfe and driving slowly along West Street to its far end. The house they were looking for stood back from the road along a short track. It was set apart from its neighbours, and not overlooked. Like many of the other houses in the village, it was a low, two storey cottage, made from the local Purbeck stone. They parked the car and made their way through the low, wooden gateway. There was a small flower garden in front of the building, although by this time of year there were no blooms left. The two detectives could make out the edges of a well-worked vegetable garden to the rear, as neat and tidy as the flower garden. They walked to the door and rang several times. There was no answer.

Shall I have a look around the back?' asked Pillay.

Yes. I'll check with the neighbours. There's someone in the last cottage on West Street. I spotted a woman at a window as we passed.'

The neighbour, an elderly woman leaning on a stick, expressed surprise that there was no answer at Brenda Goodenough's cottage, since she hadn't seen her going by her window that day. Brenda always drove past on her way to work as a cleaner in one of the local hotels. She had not done so this morning. Sophie began to feel a slight unease and asked the neighbour for the name of Mrs Goodenough's employer. She phoned the hotel and was dismayed to learn that she hadn't turned up for work that morning. Sophie walked back up the lane and found Pillay waiting at the door.

No sign of life, ma'am. There's a back door, but it's locked. There's an insecure window just beside the door. I can give it a go if you want me to.'

Yes. I'm worried about her. Have a look, if you can manage it. Put gloves on, Lydia.'

Pillay clambered on top of a nearby bin, and pulled at the window. It opened easily.

I've got it open, ma'am. It wasn't really secured. Shall I go in?'

I want to see how she is, so yes. Go ahead. But try not to disturb anything.'

Pillay was slim enough to slide easily through the window. She unlocked the rear door from the inside, and the two detectives passed through a small, neat kitchen into the hallway of the cottage. There was no answer to their calls, so they continued through the house. The other rooms on the ground floor consisted of a sitting room that had windows looking out onto both front and rear gardens, and a small dining room next to the kitchen. Both rooms had been kept clean, with polished furniture that gleamed in the late-afternoon light.