Doctor O'Donnell's daughter lived in Abingdon so Robbie asked the local police to inform her of her mother's death. Following James' report on the patient notes on Doctor O'Donnell's computer, Robbie had arranged for an updated BOLO to be issued but part way to the receptionist's house he said,
'It's not enough.'
'What's not enough, Sir?'
'The BOLO. We need to warn people. I'll have to do another press conference.'
'Are you going to inform the Chief Constable, Sir?'
'I suppose I'll have to,' said Robbie, resignedly, 'He's bound to want to be there.'
James kept prudently silent and after a minute Robbie took out his phone and called the Chief Constable and updated him. The Chief Constable was genuinely horrified by what had happened and supported Robbie's desire to warn the public and wanted to lead the press conference. Having agreed that the press conference should be held at noon, Robbie signed off with a grimace; he hated the political aspects of the job.
Miss Patricia Nelson, Trisha for short, was distraught but by dint of plying her with tea and sympathy they managed to coax her story out of her. The last patient had left at ten past four, she had shut down her computer and gone to let Doctor O'Donnell know that she was leaving. Doctor O'Donnell had come with her to the front door, they'd said goodbye and Doctor O'Donnell had locked up behind her.
'Are you sure she locked the door behind you?' asked Robbie.
'Yes, I heard her try the door to make sure it was locked.'
'Was there anyone in the car park when you left?'
'No.'
'How about walking along the street outside?'
'I'm not sure… I'm sorry, I can't remember.'
'Don't worry,' said Robbie, 'Call me if you remember anything.'
Whilst Robbie had been talking to Patricia Nelson, James had been looking around the room. Suddenly his eyes widened and he reached for a photo on the mantelpiece and said,
'Is this Doctor O'Donnell in the middle, Miss Nelson?'
'Yes…That was taken at the regatta last year.'
Trisha took the photo of herself with Doctor O'Donnell and another woman with shaking hands and began to cry again. Robbie looked at the photo, about to blast James for being so tactless but the words dried up in his throat as he found himself looking at a woman who could easily have been Jean Innocent's twin sister. Instead he asked,
'Did Doctor O'Donnell have any sisters?'
Trisha blinked, surprised by the change of topic, but said,
'I don't think so. She only mentioned her brothers. Why?'
'No reason, Miss.'
Robbie thanked Trisha, gave her his card and they left. Once they were in the car, Robbie said,
'We need to know whether or not they're related. Let's head to the hospital and talk to Chris Innocent.'
'You need to be at the station at twelve, Sir.'
Robbie frowned but said,
'All right. Drop me off at the station and you go to the hospital.'
'Sir.'
When Robbie got back to the detectives' offices, he found Mr Jenkins looking at the photofit that the police sketch artist had compiled from the Squires' description. Going over, Robbie said,
'Thank you for coming in, Mr Jenkins.'
'Anything I can do to help. How's Jean?'
'Expected to make a full recovery, Sir.'
'Thank goodness.'
'What do you think, Sir? Is that the man you saw attack Jean?' asked Robbie, indicating the photofit.
'Probably.'
'Probably?'
'It was someone who looked quite like this man, Inspector, but it was dark and well, he's not exactly unique looking, is he?'
Robbie looked closely at the photofit and was forced to concede Mr Jenkins' point; the man in the photofit was very ordinary looking with no distinguishing features; the sort of person you wouldn't think twice about.
'No, he's not,' agreed Robbie, 'but this picture agrees with your recollection of the man, Sir?'
'Yes.'
Robbie thanked Mr Jenkins and let him go. It was only a partial identification but they were never going to get anything better than that when it all happened in the dark. Now they needed some way to find this ordinary looking man who was evil underneath.
Going into his office, Robbie started to read through all the reports from everyone, looking for a clue.
James found Chris Innocent beside his mother's bed, holding her hand and talking quietly to her. When he saw James, Chris blushed and stood awkwardly, dropping his mother's hand. James pretended not to notice, saying,
'Sorry to disturb you, Sir, but I wondered if I could ask you some questions?'
'Is it all right if we stay here? It's just they said that Mum might wake up soon and I don't want her to be alone when she does.'
'Of course, Sir. We just need some family background, if that's all right?'
'Family background?'
'Yes. Do you have any aunts…on your mother's side, that is?'
'No. Mum's got a younger brother but no sisters.'
'Have you met many of your mother's female cousins?'
'A few. Why?'
'Have you ever met or heard your mother mention a Rose O'Donnell?'
Chris thought then said,
'I don't think so. Do you want me to ask Uncle Neil?'
'If you wouldn't mind, Sir.'
'I promised to ring him this morning anyway.'
Chris took his phone out of his pocket and grimaced,
'No signal. I'll have to go outside. Would you stay with Mum?'
'Of course.'
Chris walked away and James sat down next to the bed.
As he tried to think of what to say, James noticed that the chief superintendent was now in a natural sleep. As he watched, she stirred restlessly, muttering incoherently. Collecting his thoughts, James said,
'James Hathaway again, Ma'am. Inspector Lewis wanted to come but he's got to do a press conference with the Chief Constable in half an hour so there wasn't enough time. Everyone's pleased that you're going to be all right, the station isn't the same without you there.'
James paused, wanting to say something personal but he was very aware that the uniformed officers by the door could overhear every word he said. Accepting that he was going to be restricted to trite generalisations, he continued,
'There have been some developments with the case; one of us will update you once you're better.'
James wasn't sure what the etiquette was when your boss was unconscious but he didn't think that telling her that a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to her had been murdered was a good idea.
'Chris has just popped out to use his phone, he'll be back in a minute.'
Feeling very awkward, James cast around for other things to say; commenting on the weather seemed beyond trite. Hesitantly, he started telling her about his band.
Ten minutes later, Chris Innocent returned. He walked over to James and said,
'Uncle Neil has never heard of Rose O'Donnell either. Why did you want to know?'
James was about to stonewall when he considered how seeing a photo of Doctor O'Donnell on television would make Chris feel so he pulled Chris into the corner of the room and quietly explained.
'Was it the same man?' asked Chris.
'We think so though we're waiting for fingerprint and DNA confirmation.'
'And she looked just like Mum?'
'Yes.'
Chris shuddered and said,
'God, that's horrible!'
'Yes, it is.'
Chris and James both turned to look protectively at Jean Innocent, now showing clear signs of waking.
