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tried a reassuring smile. ‘I believe you mentioned to Sergeant Mironova that Sarah usually meets up with a couple of friends on a Friday, then goes on to a nightclub?’
    â€˜That’s right, Club Wolfgang they call it. Sometimes they go through to Netherdale or Bishopton, but not often.’
    â€˜Can you supply the friends’ names and addresses?’
    â€˜Yes, of course, but Sarah mentioned the other day that one of them, Tammy, was going on holiday this week, so she won’t be any help.’
    Nash turned to Pearce. ‘Nip through to the ambulance section, would you? Check what emergencies they handled over Friday and Saturday, in case Sarah’s been involved in an accident. Then go through to the Duty Officer of the Fire Brigade. Tell him I want the names and addresses of all key holders for this Club Wolfgang.’
    Nash switched his gaze back to Mrs Kelly. The implications behind his requests had brought a haunted expression to her face. ‘Joan, do you know where they would meet up?’
    â€˜Yes, The Red Dragon, that’s where most of the young people go these days.’

    â€˜Viv, get the landlord’s details from the Fire Officer as well.’ Pearce nodded and left. ‘The next part is the hardest bit, Joan. Really, all you can do is stay at home and wait for news. I know it seems as if nothing’s happening and you’ll be desperate for some action, but believe me that’s where you’re best off. If Club Wolfgang operates a CCTV system and we can get our hands on the tape, we’ll need you back here to look through it. In the meantime I want you to stay by the phone in case Sarah rings. I’ll get one of my officers to stop with you.’
    Mrs Kelly fidgeted nervously, clear evidence that Nash’s assessment of her state of mind was accurate. She needed to feel involved, part of the action. Nash continued, ‘Before that, however, I’m afraid I need to ask you some questions. I want to know everything you can tell me about Sarah, about your home life, family, that sort of thing.’
    Clara Mironova listened to Nash drawing information about Sarah from her mother. She’d witnessed his questioning technique many times before. Each skilfully phrased question would be more than a prompt for facts. It would probe into Sarah’s character, their home environment, the girl’s mental state and much more. The art was that he would do it without Joan Kelly even realizing his purpose.
    â€˜Let’s start with a few details. Tell me what sort of girl Sarah is, what her likes and dislikes are. Anything you feel might be useful. Begin with her job, where she works, what she does.’
    Mrs Kelly began, a trace of pride evident in her voice. ‘She’s been in the same job for the last two years, straight from school. She works at Rushton Engineering. She acts as secretary for several departments.’
    â€˜Does she enjoy working there?’
    â€˜Oh, she loves it. There’s always plenty to do. With all the different people and departments she reports to, I mean. She never gets chance to be bored. At night she’s full of it, who’s said what, things that have happened during the day.’
    â€˜Tell me about your family.’
    â€˜Sarah’s my only one. Terrence, my ex-husband, left me when Sarah was four. He’d been seeing another woman for some time, an American he met when he was working over at the US base near
Harrogate, you know, the one with the giant golf balls. He lives in America now.’
    â€˜It must have been hard, bringing Sarah up on your own.’
    â€˜Sometimes, particularly in the early days, but Terrence’s new wife is from a wealthy family. He’s always been generous with maintenance. Even now Sarah’s turned eighteen, he continues to make the payments.’
    â€˜That’s more than a lot do, from what I hear,’ Nash sympathized. ‘Tell me, does he