Their Lost Daughters (DI Jackman & DS Evans #2)(70)

The young woman smiled. ‘I think your rank put her off, Sarge. I noticed that she didn’t like the doctor either, although she was fine with the nurse and me. I would say she has a problem with authority figures.’

‘I wonder what her problem is? Why is she such a nervous wreck?’ Marie turned into a side road and doubled back to the station. ‘Maybe I’ll ask Broome. If he’s been spending his precious time taking her for out-patient appointments, I’m willing to bet he knows exactly what is wrong with her.’

*

As they stepped through the doors into the station foyer, Marie heard someone call out her name. Jackman was beckoning her over to where Superintendent Ruth Crooke was talking animatedly with a tall, slim man with a neatly trimmed beard and dark-rimmed glasses.

‘Ah good, Sergeant Evans, just in time to meet Professor Henry O’Byrne. He’s the friend of Professor Rory Wilkinson that you were expecting.’

Marie did a double take, giving Jackman a sideways glance. The super was actually smiling at the man, and in an uncharacteristically warm manner.

‘Coincidentally, he’s an old acquaintance. Henry is a respected psychologist, an expert in the area of serious child abuse.’ She gave him an admiring smile. ‘He has worked on some of this county’s most difficult cases, and now he’s all yours, because I’m afraid I have a meeting.’ She looked at Jackman. ‘The press have cottoned on to the activity around the hospital morgue. I have to give them something, but I’ll do my best to say as little as I can.’ She shook her head then hurried away calling out, ‘But it won’t be long before the balloon goes up, so be prepared.’

It had to happen. It always did.

Marie shook the professor’s hand. His smile was warm and engaging. Jackman had told her that Rory had called him “gorgeous, in a mature way.” Marie could see what he meant.

‘Let’s go up to my office, Professor,’ said Jackman. ‘It’s quieter there, and the coffee is better.’

First they took him to the murder room, and as he appraised the photographs, they gave him a brief summary of what had happened.

For what seemed like an age, Henry O’Byrne walked up and down, staring at details and then standing back to take in the whole picture. Finally he followed them into Jackman’s office.

‘I know it’s asking a lot, sir, but could you give us some kind of profile on the sort of person who could do something like this?’ Marie didn’t know how much time this man was prepared to give, but the question was worth asking.

‘Well, much as I enjoy the TV crime series, I have to tell you that I don’t believe offender profiling actually works in real life. It is not truly reliable and it can be quite dangerous if interpreted incorrectly. I know the FBI Behavioural Science Unit in their bunker down below Quantico would disagree, but the percentages are on my side. No matter what the dramatists tell you, there is only a small chance of getting an arrest through profiling. In some cases you might just as well draw the names out of a hat.’

He looked at them apologetically. ‘I can see that you are disappointed, but you’d be better getting your man, or woman, with good solid police work and the support of a good pathologist and his laboratory.’ He peered at them over the top of his glasses. ‘But what I can do is advise you using straightforward psychology, the science of mind and behaviour. And that can be very informative indeed.’

‘Great!’ Jackman’s face lit up. ‘I can live with that, and to be truthful, I totally agree.’

And if it was okay with Jackman, it was fine by her. Marie nodded and her mood lightened considerably.

‘So what would you like to know?’ asked Jackman.

‘Might I see the crime scene? I need to be there, to breathe the air and see everything that the killer would have seen.’

‘You sound like Rory. He likes to be first on scene and have some time alone with the corpses. He says they often share their secrets with him.’

‘I totally understand that. But then we do share a lot of similar traits.’ The professor grinned at them.

It’s always the nice good-looking men, isn’t it! Marie thought.

‘I’ll take you out to the scene as soon as I’ve checked on my team.’ Jackman stood up. ‘Are you up for a ride into the misty marshes?’

Henry beamed at Jackman. ‘Oh yes!’

Rosie was just hanging up the phone as Marie approached her desk. ‘Philip Groves’ veterinary nurse says that several of the animals in their rescue centre do have name cards on their cages. Elizabeth Sewell does spend time there on a voluntary basis helping with the rescued animals, and it was Elizabeth who wrote the name plaques.’

‘Mmm. Doesn’t sound like the sort of thing a killer would be interested in, does it?’

‘I’m certain she’s not involved, Sarge. She’s done them for someone else, and I’ll bet she has no idea what they were for.’

‘That may be the case, but it would be helpful if she could remember who the hell asked her to do them. And sweetly barking as she may be, don’t rule her out yet, okay?’

‘Shall I try her again?’

‘Not just yet. Help Max try to get a handle on Fleur first. She’s a vital link.’

‘Will do, Sarge.’

‘We are just taking the psychologist, Professor O’Byrne, out to see Windrush, but ring my mobile if anything interesting shows up.’