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two-handed shake now, of the gentle politician-style double-pat on the back of her hand, the one that says,
I’m pleased and gratified to be in your presence, but I’m in charge here, let’s not forget that.
She still hasn’t removed her gloves.
    ‘I’ve read all your books,’ Latimer is still talking. ‘Excellent stuff.’
    In six months, Pete has yet to see the boss reading a book.
    Latimer finally drags his eyes away from Maggie. ‘Come in, Pete, I assume you’re joining us. And can we sort out some coffee?’
    ‘Not for me, thank you. Where would you like me to sit?’ Maggie’s eyes, a gleam in them now, are making their way around the conference table. They pause on the taut figure of Brenda Sykes, skip over the family liaison officer sitting next to her and fix on Latimer.
    ‘Why don’t you sit at the end?’ he says.
    Pete pulls his chair out noisily and sits opposite Brenda and the FLO. ‘Miss Rose,’ he says, ‘this is Mrs Brenda Sykes, the mother of Zoe Sykes, the first of Hamish Wolfe’s victims.’
    ‘I know.’ Maggie gives Brenda a gentle smile. ‘I’ve seen your photograph in the papers. I’m very sorry about what happened to your daughter.’
    Brenda’s eyes fill. She mutters something that might have been ‘thank you’. The FLO reaches out and pats her hand.
    ‘I’m not sure how much you know about Zoe’s murder, Maggie,’ Latimer begins, ‘but—’
    ‘I know that Zoe’s body was never found, but that there were enough similarities between her case and those of the three murdered women for the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Hamish Wolfe with her murder too. Unsuccessfully.’
    ‘Since Wolfe was sentenced, Brenda has been petitioning him to admit where Zoe’s remains are,’ Latimer says. ‘It will make no difference to him, he can’t be given a worse sentence than a whole life tariff, and it will bring some much-needed closure to Brenda and her family.’
    ‘It’s probably worth adding that the area around Cheddar Gorge hasbeen searched as much as we possibly can,’ says Pete. ‘We believe she’s somewhere in the cave system, as the other women were, but there are miles of underground tunnels and caverns in that part of Somerset and Wolfe knew them as well as anyone. We have all the climbing and caving clubs on alert for anything unusual but, barring a lucky accident, we cannot hope to find her unless Wolfe gives us a clue.’
    ‘I understand that.’ Maggie turns her startling blue eyes to Pete. ‘But I am neither caver nor climber, so what does it have to do with me?’
    ‘Brenda has had a letter from Hamish Wolfe,’ Latimer tells her.
    ‘Join the club.’ Maggie’s expression is still friendly. ‘I’ve had four.’
    ‘We have a copy here.’ Latimer straightens the A4 sheet in front of him. ‘Shall I read it?’
    He waits for a response from Maggie that doesn’t come.
    ‘
Dear Mrs Sykes
.’ Latimer gives up waiting. ‘
I liked your daughter. As you may know, she was referred to me for investigation into some cervical cysts that turned out to be harmless. I talked to her at some length about her health. There were a number of issues she was happy to discuss, others she was more reticent about. You might question my discussing her medical history, even with you, and strictly I should not, but I somehow doubt I can ever be in worse trouble with the GMC.
    ‘
I am far from certain that I can help you find her remains, but I promise to do my best, if you can persuade Maggie Rose to visit me here at Parkhurst Prison. She need only visit once, but she must come with an open mind and a willingness to listen. Yours sincerely, Hamish Wolfe.
’
    ‘May I see it?’ Maggie’s hand has stretched out across the table.
    Latimer gives her a few seconds to look it over. ‘Obviously, finding Zoe is our top priority and if Wolfe is willing to cooperate, then we have to give this due consideration. But another issue for us is that this note could constitute the