DS Lane was still trying to trace the street musician, but as yet had no luck. DC Wey had spoken with the man who said he saw Amy getting into a Jaguar on the corner of Fulham Road and having visited the spot was able to establish it was a local resident picking up his daughter. The press were still showing the same photographs but interest was dwindling as there was no new information. Reid had a meeting with Chief Superintendent Douglas, and as suspected was told that thanks to the lack of new developments his time was up and the murder squad would take over.
‘I’ve read Amy Fulford’s journal and sadly I can see no clues that divulge her whereabouts, but there are disturbing entries that I’d like an expert to look at,’ Reid informed Douglas.
‘What sort of expert?’
‘A forensic behavioural investigator and/or a forensic psychiatrist to analyse the content in respect of Amy’s state of mind.’
Douglas was hesitant. ‘I don’t really see how it will help and apart from that my experience is that those kinds of experts charge a fortune for their time.’
‘Marjory Jordan, Lena Fulford’s therapist, might have a look at it as a favour and do it for nothing.’
‘I have no problem with that course of action,’ Douglas said and left the room.
Reid rang Miss Jordan. She was very pleasant and more than happy to help and give her professional opinion of whether or not it was a valid document to assist in tracing Amy. She was true to her word and arrived at the station within the hour.
Reid handed her a photocopy of the journal.
‘I’m having the original examined for fingerprints and I must ask that your examination is kept between the two of us as Lena Fulford is very worried about it being read by others and didn’t even want copies made.’
Miss Jordan smiled. ‘Of course, I totally understand under the circumstances. In essence you are a client so the principles of confidentiality apply and if I can help find Amy then all the better.’
‘I feel rude asking this, but I’m up against the wall with my boss and extra money for my investigation…’
‘I’m happy to do this as a favour to you and, although they won’t be aware, the Fulfords as well.’
‘I really am very grateful and-’
‘However, if I find anything that would betray my patient confidentiality with Lena Fulford I will be unable to detail this in an official report. In fact it may be best if my findings are off the record so as to protect both of us.’
‘Whatever you feel is best,’ Reid said, knowing he was in a position where he had no choice other than to agree with Marjory Jordan.
Chief Superintendent Douglas met with all the team at two o’clock. He praised them for their diligent work but at the same time it was obvious that without any further clues to the whereabouts of Amy Fulford, and with her now being missing for ten days, the case had to be taken over by the murder squad. He told them to complete all their actions and reports as soon as possible for the handover.
Gloomily DI Reid gathered up all his notes, paperwork and files for the handover. He looked up to see that Douglas had come into his office.
‘Why so glum, Victor?’
‘To be perfectly frank, sir, I’m really disappointed not to have been asked to remain on the case. I’ve worked long hard hours, know the investigation inside out and I although understand your reasons it-’
Douglas snorted as he interrupted. ‘Cut the self-pity, Reid. I’ve spoken personally to the commander in charge of Homicide and Serious Crime, who has given clearance for you to remain on the case.’
‘Really? I’m honoured that he thinks so highly of me.’
‘It’s not down to your investigative abilities, but simply because you’re close to the Fulfords and know them better than anyone else. The experienced detectives on the murder squad may go about their investigation in a very different manner so watch, listen and learn.’
‘Thank you, sir, I won’t let you down. Who’s taking over the investigation?’
Douglas hesitated, glanced at a piece of paper in his hand and rubbed his chin. ‘It’s a DCI Barry Jackson. By all accounts very experienced, a tough bastard, but he takes the bull by the horns, so to speak, and he’ll leave no stone unturned. Do not rock the boat, do as you’re asked, cooperate and assist at all times in every way possible.’
He closed the door, leaving Reid alone as he sat resting his elbows on his desk, his head in his hands. He’d never dealt with such a complicated missing person case before and realized how true it was that you gradually build up the image and personality of the person you’re looking for. You get to know them, but only through the voices and words of others, and if he closed his eyes he could see the young Amy’s beautiful face. It was something he often thought about. They were always smiling, the victims; the photographs that had been chosen to help try to find them for some sad reason always had lovely wide innocent smiles.
Chapter 25
Reid received a phone call from DCI Jackson telling him that his murder team were based at Belgravia and Reid and his misper colleagues were to report there for a debrief and handover. Jackson thought it convenient as it was three miles from Fulham, where Amy was last seen, and under two from Marcus Fulford’s flat in Mayfair. Reid was not so impressed, as he lived miles away in Surrey and the journey would be horrendous during the rush hour. Jackson also told Reid that DC Barbara Burrows could be attached to the murder team as she had been the family liaison officer for the Fulfords. DS Lane and DC Wey were to complete the actions they had been allocated and then return to the Richmond misper unit.
By the time Reid arrived at Belgravia all the files and data he’d accumulated had been loaded on the murder squad computers. He had not yet had an opportunity to share any details about the journal, and knew it would have to be disclosed, but there had been no chance to do so in their opening encounter. Jackson introduced himself and gave him a few words of what seemed like a warning. ‘You’ve not been a detective very long, so you might not like the way I approach an investigation. I’ve got twenty-five years’ service, so my advice to you would be to watch, listen and learn, and don’t get under our feet, especially mine.’
Reid felt like he was being belittled, but wasn’t going to show it. ‘Pleasure to be on board, DCI Jackson.’
‘Yes, well, if we’d been given this case earlier we’d probably have cracked it by now; ten days have elapsed and we’re playing bloody catch-up.’
Jackson was a big raw-boned man with a bald head and small piercing eyes. He wore a suit that looked a size too large and a wide tie over a crumpled shirt with the collar sticking up at the corners. He also wore thick crepe-soled shoes that made him walk in a flat-footed way with his feet splayed out, but for such a big man he moved fast and due to his shoes very silently.
Reid and his misper team had a lengthy meeting with DCI Jackson and his fellow members of the murder squad went over everything to date. Already up on the walls were large LCD TV screens with aerial maps of the high-priority locations: Fulham, Mayfair and Richmond. Marker flags with dates and times signalled each alleged sighting of Amy and possible routes that she might have taken were also highlighted. Reid reflected that it was all very high-tech and impressive as Jackson began to list his team’s assignments for the following day. Smirking at Reid, he remarked that he had the assistance of forty uniform officers to redo the house-to-house at the priority locations, just in case they weren’t done properly in the first instance. He would personally interview both parents, and the Newman family. Standing with his legs spread apart, he clapped his hands.