DI Rutherford called the team together to discuss victimology. ‘Good to see you all still smiling, though that soon may change once the details of Dr Blake’s report have been read.’
Maggie’s stomach tightened again. She looked to Nathan for some indication of what to expect, but he wouldn’t look her way.
‘Tracy Holloway was reported missing by her parents five weeks ago. She was last seen on her way towards Stafford town centre, where it is believed she was planning on catching a bus to her parents’ home. CCTV places her at Victoria Park entering from the east side. Last sighted by the bowling grounds, but there’s no other CCTV after this. The cameras lost her. It seems her abductor must have followed her or observed her in the park and made their move. It’s likely they are familiar with the CCTV locations, so as to have avoided being caught.’
‘That suggests the person is organised … methodical even,’ Maggie offered.
‘I’d agree with that assessment. Her family have said that Tracy was a slave to her routines and that would’ve made it a lot easier for the killer, if we assume they had been watching her before making their move.’ Rutherford tapped the evidence board. ‘They also confirmed they had been waiting for her to arrive, and the route she took would further support that she was heading for their address. A boyfriend or ex was mentioned. They’d had an argument; she called her mother to say that she would be a little late but that was the last they heard from her.’ The DI shuffled some papers on the table before her.
‘Has anyone spoken to the boyfriend or contacted the DAHU?’ Maggie didn’t believe that this was a domestic, but it would be worth pursuing, if only to rule out that angle.
‘It’s proving a little difficult to locate him as all we have is a first name, Joshua, even though they’d apparently been off and on for at least a year. The database has been checked, and we’re trying to locate anyone with that name, but there are more than we expected.’ The DI raised a brow.
‘What? You mean no one, not even her parents, knows his full name? I know there’s a backlog in the DAHU, but surely they would be able to give us some idea?’ Maggie’s eyes widened.
‘Afraid not on both counts. The Family Liaison Officer with the parents noted that the boyfriend wasn’t popular with them. Apparently, they thought he was a waste of space and it seems Tracy generally didn’t share much with them as it always ended badly. In fact, they weren’t even aware that they were still a couple – albeit off and on – until one of Tracy’s friends mentioned it.’
‘Sounds more like wishful thinking on their part if they didn’t really like him. What did her friends or colleagues know about him?’ Nathan sat back, crossing his leg.
‘Just first-name basis according to the field team. Though one of her friends believes his last name begins with either an A or H.’ DI Rutherford checked her notes.
Maggie sighed. ‘Well that should be easy to decipher, shouldn’t it.’
‘Sarcasm duly noted.’ The DI paused. ‘I’ve requested that the field team and our partner agencies keep their ears to the ground. It seems odd that this boyfriend hasn’t come forward despite the news reports. But there could be an innocent explanation.’
DI Rutherford didn’t sound convinced to Maggie.
Bethany spoke up. ‘When I spoke to some of Tracy’s friends they described her as trusting and always looking for the good in people. That may explain why she stayed with a boyfriend who most of her friends and family didn’t seem to like. A dangerous trait in this day and age, don’t you think?’
‘Hmm. She could have been easily lured by the killer. Maybe he pulled a Ted Bundy, pretended to have a broken limb so needed help loading something into the boot of his car – that sort of thing?’ Maggie suggested.
‘Good spot. You might be onto something. It might be a useful theory to raise at the press conference.’ Nathan looked at DI Rutherford.
‘Hold fire. That might give the public the false belief that we have a lead, or it may heighten the mood of any vigilantes out there to take action by misrepresenting the situation.’ After the Raven case, DI Rutherford was treading carefully with the press. Maggie understood her reasoning even if she wasn’t sure she agreed.
‘I see your point, ma’am, but doesn’t public protection need to come first? Maybe if we put our heads together and carefully word the release we can get the message out without causing panic?’ Maggie caught the glare from her boss and instantly regretted opening her mouth.
‘Her colleagues did point out that in the last few weeks prior to her abduction she’d been behaving oddly.’ The DI scratched her chin.
‘In what way?’ Maggie wouldn’t do herself any favours by pissing off the DI. After the conversation with Nathan, she’d try to think more before blurting out her own theories.
‘She was constantly checking her drawers at work. Looking over her shoulder. A bit jumpy – that sort of thing. When her colleagues asked her about it, they said she brushed it off and her excuse was that she’d been watching one too many horror films lately. According to her friends, after that, it looked like she was making an effort to appear normal, but she wasn’t fooling any of them.’
‘Was she an overly private person?’ Nathan stared at the evidence board.
‘Only in relation to her boyfriend, it seems. Otherwise, she was described as outgoing, fun and quite talkative. Why? What are you thinking, Nathan?’ Maggie had to squint to read Rutherford’s notes as she scribbled on the whiteboard.
‘Hmmm … it just seems at odds with the behaviour described today. Did any of them give a hint that they may have known something more? Maybe they pushed her on it, she had a go, so they’re not sharing anything as they don’t want to be involved or break her confidence?’
‘Interesting you should say that as two of her work mates said they challenged Tracy and she did get very defensive, so they backed off. They didn’t really think much of it after the fact as they said they assumed she was having a domestic situation. One said they couldn’t remember the conversation and the other just went blank when questioned.’ The DI paused and waited for some feedback from the team.
‘Might be worth having another word. Maybe they were in shock after learning of Ms Holloway’s murder,’ Nathan offered.
‘Yes. Bethany’s going to interrogate Tracy’s social media accounts. Maggie, you can speak to the work colleague and Nathan, you’re with me. Let’s chat before the press conference this afternoon. We need to put something together that raises awareness so that people, particularly women, are more vigilant but without causing a bloody panic.’