Eileen sat in the living room of the police house. Maggie Bolton who had flown up to the house when she got word of what was going on was sitting on the sofa with her holding Eileen's hand. Eileen was tearful but trying hard to stay calm.
Opposite them, was seated a Detective Sergeant Holloway, a tall, dark haired man, with a kindly manner. He had his notebook open on his knee.
"Now then Mrs Reynolds," he said gently "I know you're upset. But we need to go through everything this morning love. If you can tell us your routine this morning. It might bring summat back to you, summat you noticed that might help us like."
"Well," Eileen said hesitantly. "I got up at 7am. Katie was still asleep. I came downstairs and Nick - PC Rowan - he was just leaving. He went off early today. So I had some breakfast and then I heard Katie calling so went to get her. That would be about eight o' clock."
The man nodded. "Go on," he said, "I know this seem trivial but we do need a complete outline of the morning."
"You're doing ever so well Eileen," Maggie said encouragingly.
She wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. "I got Katie and gave her, her breakfast," she said. "And then I washed and dressed her and got dressed myself. I think that took me to about nine o'clock." She paused. "Then I put Katie in her high chair whilst I just did some washing. Then about 10.30 I thought it was warm enough for her to go in her pram outside and that's when I wheeled it out and put Katie in."
Holloway leaned forward. "And in that time, you saw no one hanging around the house?"
"Not at all." Eileen said. "I was in and out, taking out the washing and so on and tidying the kitchen and checking on Katie every few minutes and I saw no one.." She bit her lip. "And then I went upstairs - about eleven - to change the beds. I suppose I was upstairs about another twenty minutes and as I came down the phone rang. It was a friend of mine and we talked for about fifteen minutes."
"So that takes us to about quarter to twelve would you say?" Holloway asked.
"Yes. I put down the phone and I rushed into the kitchen as I was worried it had got chilly and Katie was still outside. I bumped into Nick in the kitchen. He gave me a fright, I didn't expect to see him there. He came back unexpectedly to get some paperwork. And that's when we realised Katie was missing."
"So you last saw her definitely at eleven?"
"Yes. I left her too long didn't I?"
"Eileen, she was perfectly safe where you left her," Maggie soothed. "You've done nothing wrong."
Holloway said, "You saw her last at eleven. And PC Rowan came home at 11.45. So we could say there's a three-quarter of an hour window during which Katie went missing."
Eileen looked at Maggie in terror. "She could be miles away by now," she gasped. "Oh Maggie, what have I done?"
Nick was being interviewed in the office of the Police House. He was sitting down but clearly agitated. Sergeant Blaketon was with him and a serious faced Detective Inspector - DI Browne. He was in his forties, well built and with a sharp, intelligent manner.
"Right lad." The man paused. "Don't think we're just sat here talking - we're not. I've got lads in the village doing house to house. Now, we've a window during which we think Katie was taken, we're asking folk if they remember seeing a red Land Rover going through the village about that time." He paused. "What I need to ask you, lad, is, given the job you do and the fact its a job which doesn't always make you popular, is there any chance this could be personal?"
Nick shook his head. "All the jobs I've been involved in recently have just been run of the mill stuff," he said in low tones. "Nothing that would upset anyone this much."
Browne looked at Blaketon who nodded.
"Lad's right," he said "We'll check duty logs and so on but I can't think of anyone off hand who might have a bit of a score to settle."
Nick ran a hand over his eyes. "Can I help with the house to house?" he asked.
"Its best you stay here lad," Browne said. "Hard as it is I know."
They glanced up as there was a knock on the door. Phil Bellamy came in, looking white and tense. He glanced at Nick in concern, then said, "Gina down at the Aidensfield Arms," he said. "Reckons she saw a red Land Rover heading through the village at 11.20. Gina were sweeping up outside the pub and so noticed owt that came through, like."
"Gina Ward, that is, sir," Blaketon murmured to the DI. "She's the licensee."
"Which direction was the vehicle heading?" snapped the DI
"Away from the Police House heading out toward the Whitby Road. Gina noticed a woman driving with blonde hair." Phil paused. "She saw a child in the vehicle but only got a brief glimpse so didn't identify her as Katie. She also got a part reg sir. I've had that circulated and the description."
"Is she a reliable witness?" demanded Browne.
"Aye, she's sharp is our Gina," Blaketon replied.
"She also noticed the Land Rover was red but had a black stripe running down the side an' all," Phil said. "It sounds like the sort of vehicle you'd notice, like." He frowned. "Odd, that. You'd think if you were snatching a baby you'd use a car no one'd remember."
"Unless you're that deluded you think you're doing nowt wrong," Blaketon pointed out
"Get a fulll statement," the DI told Phil who nodded. "Take Sergeant Holloway with you."
Nick got up as Phil left and moved to the window. "There's so many turnings off that road," he said tonelessly.
"I agree," Browne said. "But we've got our first lead lad. Believe me we're throwing everything at this. I'll do all I can to get your bairn back to you."
Nick shook his head. "I can't lose her," he said flatly. "If I don't get her back I -"
"Nick," Blaketon spoke quietly but reassuringly. "Come on lad. Stay strong for us. I know its hard."
The Sergeant looked at the DI and saw the tension on the man's face. This was probably the toughest investigation of his career. An abduction of a serving police officer's child, a police officer who had been widowed less than two years ago. They all knew how much Nick Rowan stood to lose.