She ought to phone him. She prepared herself; a deep breath, a smile on her face. He answered; she could hear the breakfast news on in the background. ‘Steve? Are you okay?’ He sighed irritably. ‘Is she back yet?’ His tone was sarcastic. Tracy snapped. ‘It’s serious.’ ‘Serious in what way?’ He still didn’t sound convinced. ‘The young woman found in Regent’s Canal was a friend of Danielle’s. The police think that the same man has Danielle. He’s keeping her hostage. It was terrible, Steve. He’s been phoning me.’ ‘It’s probably some prank – the whole thing,’ he countered, not taking in what Tracy had said about the phone call. ‘I knew it would end like this. I told you she’d be nothing but trouble. So let me guess. We’re stuck with the kid? I’ll tell you where she is. She’s done a runner and left us with her disabled son to look after.’ His voice rose, almost hysterical.
