with a strong presence and a firm handshake and she was slightly taken aback.
‘Please sit down, Mrs Fulford. I’ve ordered some fresh coffee, and I apologize for keeping you waiting but I needed to assess the situation with DC Burrows before talking to you,’ he said as he sat down beside her.
He took in Lena’s appearance fast – her face devoid of makeup showed beautiful pale unblemished skin, wide pale blue eyes, and a thick sheet of blonde hair parted in the middle and resting just below her shoulders. She wore a polo-neck sweater, jeans and her expensive camel coat was loose around her shoulders; she was a slim elegant woman, the type he liked. He even noticed she wore no wedding ring – in fact no jewellery at all – and her hands were delicate with short-cut nails.
Reid continued, ‘It’s imperative we do not waste time, so we will be circulating Amy’s description and missing person’s form to every police force in the country via the national database and other relevant agencies on the internet for public access. I will also be seeking authority for a press release. Rest assured, Mrs Fulford, we will do everything in our power to find your daughter as quickly as humanly possible.’
Lena felt more at ease and thanked him for his thoughtfulness. It was such a relief for her to be speaking to a senior officer, and at last she felt her fears were being taken seriously.
‘I apologize if I repeat anything DC Burrows has already asked,’ Reid went on. ‘However, to progress the investigation I need to familiarize myself with everything that has occurred concerning Amy over the last three days and her home life in general.’
The more he spoke the more Lena felt confident he was an astute and caring detective who had a real grasp and understanding of the situation and her predicament.
‘I may ask some questions that seem intrusive about your personal life and relationship with Amy. I’m not here to judge or pass comment on anyone. I want to find your daughter safe and well, but the more information we can glean about a missing person the more thorough and productive my team’s investigation will be.’
Lena nodded, but Reid could sense that she was nervous.
DC Burrows entered with a tray of fresh coffee, two mugs, sugar, milk and a plate of biscuits. He placed one mug in front of her, picked up his own and heaped in three spoons of sugar but no milk.
‘DC Burrows will be taking some notes, and as I said I would like to make as much headway straight away before I come to any conclusion. Your husband is helping to try and trace Amy?’
‘Yes, he’s called the local hospitals and the school. He is staying at his flat in case Amy calls.’
‘But he has a mobile so she could contact him that way?’
‘Yes, we both have, and Amy also has one; we have called her numerous times but it goes straight to voicemail.’
Reid nodded and said it would be a priority to trace the locations of Amy’s iPad and iPhone as they could contain crucial information, and he muttered quietly to Burrows to get onto it straight after the meeting with Mrs Fulford. He wondered to himself if Amy was not answering any calls because she had run away. He then turned back to Lena and drew his notebook closer, reached into his pocket and took out a felt tip pen.
‘Right, you do not know if she has a boyfriend or is in any kind of a relationship; have you any possible clue to Amy having a secret friend, male or for that matter female, in her life?’
‘What?’ Lena asked in complete disbelief.
‘Is she dating anyone?’ Reid asked, encouraging Lena to answer.
‘No, she has never mentioned it to me. She is quite young for her age, but at the same time socially very accomplished as we have travelled extensively on holidays.’
‘How about her schoolwork – is she about to take exams?’
‘Yes, her GCSEs. Amy is quiet and studious and always in the top three in her class. She’s very bright and to be honest has
‘Please sit down, Mrs Fulford. I’ve ordered some fresh coffee, and I apologize for keeping you waiting but I needed to assess the situation with DC Burrows before talking to you,’ he said as he sat down beside her.
He took in Lena’s appearance fast – her face devoid of makeup showed beautiful pale unblemished skin, wide pale blue eyes, and a thick sheet of blonde hair parted in the middle and resting just below her shoulders. She wore a polo-neck sweater, jeans and her expensive camel coat was loose around her shoulders; she was a slim elegant woman, the type he liked. He even noticed she wore no wedding ring – in fact no jewellery at all – and her hands were delicate with short-cut nails.
Reid continued, ‘It’s imperative we do not waste time, so we will be circulating Amy’s description and missing person’s form to every police force in the country via the national database and other relevant agencies on the internet for public access. I will also be seeking authority for a press release. Rest assured, Mrs Fulford, we will do everything in our power to find your daughter as quickly as humanly possible.’
Lena felt more at ease and thanked him for his thoughtfulness. It was such a relief for her to be speaking to a senior officer, and at last she felt her fears were being taken seriously.
‘I apologize if I repeat anything DC Burrows has already asked,’ Reid went on. ‘However, to progress the investigation I need to familiarize myself with everything that has occurred concerning Amy over the last three days and her home life in general.’
The more he spoke the more Lena felt confident he was an astute and caring detective who had a real grasp and understanding of the situation and her predicament.
‘I may ask some questions that seem intrusive about your personal life and relationship with Amy. I’m not here to judge or pass comment on anyone. I want to find your daughter safe and well, but the more information we can glean about a missing person the more thorough and productive my team’s investigation will be.’
Lena nodded, but Reid could sense that she was nervous.
DC Burrows entered with a tray of fresh coffee, two mugs, sugar, milk and a plate of biscuits. He placed one mug in front of her, picked up his own and heaped in three spoons of sugar but no milk.
‘DC Burrows will be taking some notes, and as I said I would like to make as much headway straight away before I come to any conclusion. Your husband is helping to try and trace Amy?’
‘Yes, he’s called the local hospitals and the school. He is staying at his flat in case Amy calls.’
‘But he has a mobile so she could contact him that way?’
‘Yes, we both have, and Amy also has one; we have called her numerous times but it goes straight to voicemail.’
Reid nodded and said it would be a priority to trace the locations of Amy’s iPad and iPhone as they could contain crucial information, and he muttered quietly to Burrows to get onto it straight after the meeting with Mrs Fulford. He wondered to himself if Amy was not answering any calls because she had run away. He then turned back to Lena and drew his notebook closer, reached into his pocket and took out a felt tip pen.
‘Right, you do not know if she has a boyfriend or is in any kind of a relationship; have you any possible clue to Amy having a secret friend, male or for that matter female, in her life?’
‘What?’ Lena asked in complete disbelief.
‘Is she dating anyone?’ Reid asked, encouraging Lena to answer.
‘No, she has never mentioned it to me. She is quite young for her age, but at the same time socially very accomplished as we have travelled extensively on holidays.’
‘How about her schoolwork – is she about to take exams?’
‘Yes, her GCSEs. Amy is quiet and studious and always in the top three in her class. She’s very bright and to be honest has
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