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nervous about coming forward… in the circumstances, you understand.’
    â€˜Put the word out that no one is going to get into trouble, and that any statements given can be kept private,’ Arnold suggested. ‘All we are interested in is the information. I want to know whether they may have noticed anything suspicious – anyone lurking on or around the tow path while they were walking to or from the boat – even if it didn’t seem significant at the time. Any description might help.’
    â€˜Right you are, sir,’ Willis replied.
    â€˜We can’t rule out the possibility that the assailant used the boat himself,’ Phillips pointed out. ‘He might have got to know about the boat through going there. Perhaps that’s what gave him the idea.’
    Arnold stood and walked over to the window slowly, hands on hips.
    â€˜Possibly,’ he replied. ‘But my money is on someone who wanted to be part of the Rosemary D scene and was feeling left out, rather than someone who was a regular visitor.’
    â€˜Someone who wanted to join in the fun and was watching, biding his time?’ Willis suggested.
    â€˜Exactly. Besides, we have to start somewhere. We don’t want to frighten them off. We need any help they can give us. Obviously, if one of them gives you any reason to suspect him, see if you can find out more. Ask about his movements on Saturday. See if he will give you his fingerprints, so that we can eliminate him. See how he reacts to that.’
    â€˜Leave it to me, sir,’ Willis said. ‘They’re all local lads. I know how to approach them. I’m likely to know most of them, anyway. But if something doesn’t feel right I’ll pick up on it and let you know.’
    â€˜I don’t doubt it for a moment,’ Arnold replied. ‘I also want a list of everyone within the same 20-mile radius who’s been convicted of a sexual offence during the past ten years.’
    â€˜Some of them will still be inside,’ Phillips said. ‘The perfect alibi.’
    â€˜The more serious offenders, yes’ Arnold agreed. ‘But I’m not thinking about them. Something happened here to make our man react to this couple with massive violence. There was probably a sexual motive, but these offences resulted mainly from extreme rage. Remember: our theory is that he wanted to be part of the Rosemary D scene, but couldn’t for some reason. He may be inadequate – unsure of his ability to perform sexually. He may never have gone as far as rape before. He may not have a record at all. But if he does, what kind of offences would this man have committed?’
    There was a silence for some time.
    â€˜I see what you’re saying,’ Willis replied eventually. ‘Something like indecent assault – nothing too serious, groping, feeling a girl up, that kind of thing; or even indecent exposure.’
    â€˜Soliciting prostitution,’ Phillips added.
    â€˜Yes,’ Arnold replied. ‘And check anything to do with pornography – books, magazines, films, whatever.’
    â€˜I’ll need some more help,’ Willis said.
    â€˜I’ll put the call out,’ Arnold said. ‘I’m not sure how many more men we can divert from Cambridge. But we’ve got Huntingdon – after all, it’s on their patch. And the Chief Constable can put the word out to other forces that we need help with this one. That’s what chief constables are for. It will give him something to do, make him feel useful.’
    â€˜Speaking of making yourself useful,’ Willis said, in the direction of the door, ‘where do you think you’ve been? You were supposed to be back long before this. I have a couple of inquiries for you to make.’
    The uniformed figure of PC Hawthorne had appeared in the doorway. Far from appearing uncomfortable at being derelict in his duty, he seemed rather pleased with