Free The Silent Twin by Unknown Page B

the focus on Joanna’s personality rather than her missing child.
    As Joanna and Nick returned home, Jennifer stayed on for another round of police briefing. But by the time she saw them off, she had missed the first ten minutes.
    Sliding in between the bodies standing at the back of the conference room, relief washed over her as she discovered that DCI Anderson was not leading the briefing, DI Ethan Cole was. His accent, a mixture of American and British, had never been more welcome as she tried to squeeze in without being noticed. DCI Anderson must have been asked to cover the murder that had just been reported in Lexton. A gang-related stabbing over territory, it was part of the unrelenting drug-related crime wave flooding the area. Not that she would have any involvement. It was good to have a break from that side of things, and investigate crimes where her real talents lay. She was pinning a lot of hopes on being able to speak to Olivia after briefing, and being able to encourage her to release the secrets she so tightly concealed.
    The stark white projection screen complemented DI Cole’s honeyed skin as he brought them up to speed on the investigation to date. He was easier on the eye than DCI Anderson, and a lot more impassioned.
    ‘The diving team will be searching the river Blakewater, although there are no leads to indicate we’re going to find anything in the water. Additionally, we’ve been scouring the land surrounding the farm and, as many of you are aware, numerous items have been seized. Now I know some of you think we’re just collecting litter, but I must impress the importance of early evidence. Abigail is nine years old. You may have children of your own, nieces, nephews, neighbours.’ Ethan gesticulated, his hands conducting his words. ‘Keep them in mind as you search for this little girl. She could be lying somewhere, cold, vulnerable and alone. Or maybe we’re already too late. And if this is the case then we must catch the person responsible, before they strike again. If it means going over the same patch of land three or four times, then so be it. We’re leaving no stone unturned.’ He paused to take a sip from a bottle of Evian.
    ‘Hundreds of items have been seized, from sweet wrappers, to scraps of fabric and discarded chewing gum, but the only one directly tied to Abigail is her glasses. We cannot get complacent. We must continue to bag up anything we feel may be of relevance, until we can determine if there is any connection to the case.’
    He clicked the screen to a map of Haven. ‘Right, moving on. The key area is where she disappeared, but I also want the Community Support Officers to concentrate their efforts on the local community. That involves the continuation of house to house enquiries in both the town and rural areas.’ He paused to regain eye contact with the uniformed officers. ‘You may be the person in the community that finds answers. Speak to holidaymakers, dog walkers, joggers, kids down the skate park. Don’t forget the risk assessments, folks. Haven has its moments, particularly in the more isolated spots. We don’t want you encountering any angry farmers with guns, or amorous bulls.’
    Jennifer rubbed the back of her neck as an ache developed. What she really needed was a strong cup of coffee with two large sugars. Her mouth felt as dry as a sand pit, and she forced herself to concentrate on the tasking and updates Ethan relayed. Footprints and car-tyre print analysis had taken place on the well-trodden land, the usual checks had been made with local hospitals, and visits to the local sex offenders by the public protection team were underway. CCTV was under review in the town, and ANPR – the automatic licence plate notification system – was being matched up with the intelligence system to see if there were any vehicles of note entering or leaving on the day of Abigail’s disappearance. There seemed to be no end to the enquiries, and forty minutes after