It was genuine. He did call me this afternoon and ask me to see him. And I can tell you're dying to know, but I didn't mention that little difficulty with our moody friend. I don't want to start a feud. Anyway, the ACC asked the same kind of questions that you did. Did I have enough manpower, what were my thoughts on Berzins' story, et cetera. Reassuring, eh? You're both on the same wavelength.'

Except that you were holding back on something, Sophie. Do you want to tell me?'

Not yet, apart from the fact that there could be more to this than meets the eye. And that's all I'm willing to say, since it is more than likely that Berzins is the killer, and that we'll somehow get the evidence to prove it.'

Just then her mobile phone rang. Hello, Benny. What have you found?'

Just to let you know that the detailed scan results of the young woman are here. In addition to the bruises that we saw, she had a healed fracture of the right shin bone. Consistent with a very hard kick, but there could be a number of other conceivable causes.'

How long ago?'

I'd guess nine to eighteen months. And I'm sticking with my guesses about the other marks on her body. They are consistent with physical abuse over a period of time, but it's difficult to be sure of when they happened. If they were mild injuries, then within the past few weeks. If they were more serious, they could date back several months. It's impossible to be certain since people heal at different rates.'

That's terrific, Benny. Thanks. Let me know if anything else turns up, okay? Listen, I want to come over and look at that X-ray with you. Maybe tomorrow morning? I could call in first thing.'

She ended the call and they drove in silence for a while. Then Silver spoke. When do you expect news about the DNA check on those cigarette ends?'

I've leaned on them to push it through as fast as they can. I'm expecting the result mid-morning tomorrow. Apparently they got something off them, which is amazing, considering they were out in the rain for hours. Our problem, Matt, is that we know absolutely nothing about Donna before she came to Swanage three months ago. But these previous injuries give us a start. We can trawl through the hospital records.'

You still seem to be concentrating on the girl and not her mother. There are two murders, Sophie.'

The girl is the key, I'm sure. I'd guess that her mother was killed because she knew something that would identify her daughter's killer. It's possible that they both knew him. Maybe he was a friend or family member. That's why all the address books and diaries have gone.'

So you don't think it was Berzins?'

It's still possible, if he knew her for longer than he says. This case is proving to be a real puzzle and some things don't add up yet. And something else has only just occurred to me: Why did this supposed call from the embassy this morning ask him to go to Bournemouth? If some official had to be in Poole to catch a ferry, then surely they'd have asked Berzins to meet him there? It's a shorter, easier bus trip for him from Swanage, and wouldn't require an extra stop for the official. It doesn't make sense.'

That's my girl.'

Shut up, you patronising pig.'

The interview room was bare and functional. No matter how attractive a police station was from outside, the interiors were all too often plain and characterless. Sophie wondered if a vase of flowers would make a difference to the atmosphere. No good, of course. The vase could be broken and used as a weapon. Would plastic flowers be practical . . . ? Her thoughts were wandering - she must concentrate. She'd been questioning Berzins about Donna, trying to build up a picture of what the young woman was like. She appeared to have been intelligent but slightly guarded and prickly. This tied in with what Maria Jones had said at the hotel.

There were more people in the room at this session. The duty solicitor was sitting beside Berzins, and Matt Silver sat next to Sophie, with his chair pulled back. He was present as an observer. Barry Marsh stood leaning against the back wall, next to the solitary uniformed constable.

Tell me what you know about Donna's family background, Vilis.'

She told me that her father was recently dead. I don't know how. You have asked me about her mother. I do not know much about her. Donna has an older brother. I think his name is David. She said that he lives in Birmingham. I never met her grandmother. She moved to Swanage many years ago and bought the flat. She left it to Donna when she died last year.'

Sophie scribbled on a notepad, tore off the page and handed it to Marsh, who glanced at it and left the room in order to follow up the information about a brother. The bodies had still not been formally identified.

Tell me about her mother,' said Sophie.

She seemed a nice woman. I met her the first time when Donna took me to tea at her house last month. She talked to me about Latvia. I think she was anxious in case we became serious and I wanted Donna to return to Latvia with me.'

Did you ever discuss this with Donna?'

No. We had not reached that stage yet. I really liked her, but I was not sure about her feelings for me. She seemed to like me, but there were times when she was cold to me.'

When did you feel this coldness towards you?'

It was the morning after we . . . slept together. I felt very happy, but she did not show that. She was more distant than cold. I tried to assure her of my love, but she just smiled, and the smile had no warmth.'

How many more times did you sleep with her?'

One more time. Last week. Again she was cold afterwards, even more than the first time.'

Where did you sleep together?'

In her flat. Not in my room at the hotel. Everyone would know of it there. We did not want that.'

Vilis, did you ever hit Donna?'

No, of course not.' He sounded sincere enough.

She had bruises on her face and arms. Where did they come from?'

I did not notice them at first, when she started working at the hotel. But that was because she would keep them covered. I saw them only recently. I don't know where they came from. She wouldn't tell me.'

How many times did you ask about them?'

Once only. She did not want to talk about it. I was frightened that if I kept asking she would stop seeing me, and I didn't want that.'

How obvious were the bruises when you first saw them?'

The ones on her face were not easily seen because she wore make-up over them. On her arms they were stronger, but she wore long sleeves so people didn't know about them. They are nearly faded now. I think she was happy about that.'

And she gave you no idea at all about how she got them? Weren't you curious?'

Of course. I felt sorry that she'd been hurt. But she clearly didn't want me to ask about it again, so I didn't.'

Do you smoke, Vilis?'

He looked surprised.

Yes, but I have been trying to give up. Donna didn't like it. I am down to just three or four cigarettes a day.'

What make of cigarette do you prefer?'

Marlboro.'

Did Donna say why she didn't like you smoking?'

No, but last week she told me that I must give up if I wanted to stay with her. She gave me until Christmas. So I was determined to stop.'

Show me your writing, Vilis. Would you write your name and address on this pad, please.'

Berzins wrote his Swanage address and his address in Riga with his right hand.

You are right-handed?'

Yes.'

Can you write with your left hand, Vilis?'

No. If I do it is untidy.'

Do you drive?'

I learned to drive back in Riga, but I do not drive in England. Driving on the left would worry me.'

Did Donna drive?'

Yes, but she didn't have a car. She was saving for one. She has not driven since I knew her.'

Just then, Pillay knocked and opened the door. Sorry to interrupt, ma'am. You need to see this.' She stepped back into the corridor.

Sophie followed her out and took the sheet of paper.

Christ. That's unbelievable. And the times match. And surely that's only about half a mile from the station?'

I think so.'

How did you spot this?'

I was just keeping my eye on messaging, and realised something was going on. I phoned Bob Thompson over in Bournemouth once I realised its importance. I asked him to email the details across.'

They went back into the interview room.

We will terminate this interview now, Vilis. You will remain in custody overnight, while we continue to make enquiries.'

Is that necessary?' asked the solicitor.

I'm afraid so. This is a murder inquiry, and Mr Berzins is one of the chief suspects. It is getting late, and we have some further inquiries to make. I suggest that we continue the interview tomorrow.'

You only have until three thirty to keep him without charging him,' said the solicitor.

I'm aware of that. We'll meet tomorrow.'

The Duty Constable led Berzins out of the room, followed by the solicitor.

Look at this.' Sophie handed the paper across to Silver.

My God. Do you think it's linked?'

What are the chances of it not being connected? I'll need to get across there to see. Want to come? I can drop you home afterwards.'

Marsh came back in. What's happened?' he said.

Another murder. This time in Bournemouth. A young woman, a prostitute, was strangled, probably earlier today. Her room has been cleaned out of any personal or contact information, and there is no trace of a mobile phone.'

Surely it's just a coincidence? Why do we think it's connected to this case?'

It's in the red-light district. Which is only half a mile from the railway station. And Berzins was at the station for much of the morning, waiting for a supposed meeting with a non-existent embassy official.'

CHAPTER 4: Silk Umbrella.

Late Tuesday Evening, Week 1 The four detectives drove north out of Swanage. It had been a long and stressful day, so Sophie had told Barry Marsh and Lydia Pillay that they needn't come, but they had both opted to.

We don't want to miss this,' Pillay said. It could wrap the case up. It's just too much of a coincidence, surely, him being in the neighbourhood when this girl was killed?'

Sophie didn't reply. She was thinking hard about how the latest murder added so many complicating factors to the investigation, forcing her to rethink some of her tentative theories.

Never assume anything,' replied Silver. You can easily make a fool of yourself if you jump to the wrong conclusions. Let's just say that, at the moment, it could be a very interesting development. But we need to wait to see what the facts are first. By the way, do we know who's in charge at Bournemouth?'

Bob Thompson was the one I spoke to, sir. He's a DS,' replied Pillay. I think it's a DI McGreedie in charge.'

I know Kevin McGreedie. You've worked with him, haven't you, Sophie?' Silver said.

Yes. He's a good detective. It'll be done properly if he's in charge.'

That's if he stays in charge. If it looks as if it is linked, I could ask the ACC to transfer the case to us. It would make sense. But let's wait and see.'

Sophie asked Pillay about the missing umbrella.

Maria thinks that it was an expensive designer one. It was deep burgundy in colour with a pattern of small cream-coloured roses. She also said that, even though it was obviously pricey, Donna had said she needed a new one. Maria didn't know why.'

Outside the busy holiday season the ferry route to Bournemouth, across the mouth of Poole harbour, was quicker than the long drive around the huge inlet. On a chilly and damp November evening, the wait was non-existent. They drove straight onto the ferry and were across to the Bournemouth side within ten minutes.

They soon found the road they were looking for. It was in a rather down-at-heel area of Bournemouth. At the end of the street, close to the railway station, there was a mix of commercial premises and terraced houses, but these soon gave way to larger properties, some converted into guest houses and hotels. It was easy to spot the building they were seeking. Two squad cars were parked outside, and a uniformed policeman stood guard at the door. The paint was peeling from the window frames and doors. The house looked as if it had been subdivided into six flats, spread across three floors. Sophie couldn't help comparing the building to the neatly-kept block in Swanage where Donna had lived.

Inside, the decor was worn but clean. They were met by Kevin McGreedie, a tall plain-clothes officer. Sophie liked him. He'd been in the Dorset police longer than her, and knew the criminals who operated in the Bournemouth and Poole area better than any other detective.

Evening, Kevin,' said Silver. I think you know Sophie Allen?'

Of course, sir. Glad to see you both. You're very welcome, if that's a word I can use in a situation like this. I understand you're investigating a couple of murders over in Swanage that might be related to this one.'

We're holding a suspect at the station, Kevin,' said Sophie. The murders took place last night, but our man spent this morning here in Bournemouth waiting at the station for a London train. He was here for a good couple of hours. Lydia heard about the death here, and contacted Bob for details. One of ours was a strangling. In both cases the homes were ransacked in an odd way, and from what we heard that was what happened here. Is that what you've found?'

Yes. The girl was strangled and someone has searched the flat. It's really more of a glorified bedsit, really. Anyway, we can't find any communications, lists, diaries or phones. Even the landline phone has gone missing, although we're pretty sure there was one. Forensics have just about finished, and they haven't found a thing that can be used to positively identify our victim.'