Deity

‘What has become clear to us is the fact that three of the students who vanished had reason to be unhappy with their lives and a clear motive for leaving behind the homes that had nurtured them.

‘However, their intention — beyond disappearing — is still not certain. The Deity website has offered tantalising hints about their fate but as yet no clear conclusion.

‘We believe the young people had become obsessed with fame and, as you saw this afternoon, were willing participants in the kind of output from Deity.com that has served to spread their celebrity.

‘We also believe that any impression they left concerning a suicide pact is, as yet, unproven — and we believe it is still possible these youngsters may be found alive.’

There was a murmur from the assembled journalists and Charlton looked up from his statement to let it subside. Brook stared unblinking to the back of the room.

‘Having said that, we are now looking for three other individuals as a matter of urgency, and what pictures we have are in your packs. We would urge you to give maximum publicity to these photographs because the individuals concerned are of extreme interest in our investigation.

‘One of the four students who disappeared — Russell “Rusty” Thomson — is an imposter. He is not an eighteen-year-old student and his identity is unknown. We believe this man is the person who filmed the suicide of Wilson Woodrow on Thursday May nineteenth as well as the assault on Kyle Kennedy and the film of Rebecca Blake in her bedroom earlier that same night. Suffice to say that we consider this individual to be highly organised and dangerous, and he should not be approached if recognised.

‘Today’s Deity broadcast shows Thomson being attacked and apparently killed by an unknown assailant. We believe this film to be a misdirection which was included on the site to throw us off Thomson’s scent.

‘On a related note, we are pleased to report that we have an identity for the so-called Embalmer, who we linked to the discovery of two dead bodies in the rivers and ponds around Derby. His name is Lee Smethwick and we believe he is also involved in the disappearance of Kyle Kennedy, Rebecca Blake and Adele Watson.’

The press erupted and Charlton was forced to give way to questions which he directed to Brook.

‘What’s the connection between Thomson and The Embalmer?’ asked a TV reporter.

‘We believe Smethwick and Thomson are working together to keep Kyle, Becky and Adele incarcerated. .’ began Brook but he was swamped by noise again.

‘Is Smethwick going to cut them up like he did the tramps?’ shouted Brian Burton from the back.

‘Brian, that language is totally inappropriate. The parents of these young people will be watching this briefing,’ Charlton said angrily.

‘We hope not,’ said Brook, jumping in. He paused to compose himself. For once Burton’s salacious eye for detail might just get the public interested enough to respond. He decided to risk Charlton’s ire. ‘But I’m afraid we can’t discount the possibility. The bodies of the missing men found in the river had been gutted and the brains had been removed through the nose in preparation for embalming and possibly even mummification.’ There was stunned silence. Charlton hung his head.

‘Smethwick is a highly disturbed individual who likes to play with corpses,’ continued Brook. ‘He has disappeared and it is vital that the public help us find him. Smethwick has lived locally for many years and has a boat at Shardlow Marina. He was a chef at Derby College until recently, where we believe he made contact with Thomson and the other students.

‘We know Thomson to be a cold and calculating individual, extremely organised, manipulative and charming.’ Brook raised a finger for emphasis. ‘However, we are convinced he is not local, so it’s highly likely that Kyle, Becky and Adele are being held in a place that connects to Lee Smethwick’s past. Any information we receive, maybe going back years, could be vital in locating them.’

Brook looked back at Charlton who held his gaze for a second longer than polite. After the Chief Superintendent had introduced the pictures of Smethwick, Thomson and Len Poole, the three officers wound up the briefing and left through a side door. Charlton rounded on Brook as soon as it was closed.

‘My God, Brook. Do you realise what you just did?’

Brook nodded sombrely. ‘Yes, sir. I woke people up.’

‘Woke them up?’ Charlton shouted and began to wave a finger in Brook’s face. ‘You handed out sensitive information!’

‘I don’t care about the trial,’ Brook retorted calmly. ‘At this rate there’s not going to be one.’

‘But if the DPP-’

‘I don’t care about that either,’ repeated Brook slowly. ‘All that matters is finding Adele and the others. It was time to remind everybody out there, all those faceless voyeurs, tucking into their TV dinners, that Deity is not entertainment. It’s not a show, there is no acting. Three young lives are at stake. They need our help and we need the public’s.’ Brook motioned Noble to leave.

‘And what do I say to hysterical parents when they ring up?’

‘I don’t give a damn what you say to them as long as you keep them away from my team so we can do our jobs.’

‘And I suppose that goes for me too.’ Charlton laughed bitterly.

Brook paused, ready to speak, but a touch on his arm from Noble prevented him. He turned away. ‘I’ll be in the Incident Room.’

‘You know, I’ve tried with you, Brook, I really have,’ scowled Charlton. ‘So let me lay it on the line for you. If you don’t find those kids by this time tomorrow, I’m taking you off the case.’

Brook turned from the doorway. ‘I understand,’ he said coldly.

‘That went well,’ said Noble. Brook gave him a lopsided smile. ‘Think Charlton’s cracking up?’

‘He’s not used to the pressure at our end,’ said Brook, logging on to his computer. ‘He should stick to budgets. Anything from the techs on our latest broadcast?’

‘Nothing. Want me to chase it up?’

Brook shook his head. ‘But load it up for me, please. I want to take another look.’

Noble smiled. ‘You know, we run courses for IT dunces,’ he said, putting his hand over the mouse and clicking the appropriate icons.

‘That’s Inspector Dunce to you.’

Noble laughed. He switched on the large screen and Becky Blake grinned excitedly at them from cyberspace.

Noble pulled out his cigarettes and padded to the door, turning to look at Brook gazing saucer-eyed at the film. He sighed and closed the door, pulling up a chair next to Brook. They watched together in silence.

When Becky finished her monologue, Noble paused the film on her barely concealed smirk. ‘Did her speech bother you at all?’

Brook turned to him. ‘Becky?’ He thought for a minute. ‘She went through the motions of claiming she was unhappy, but actually she seemed excited.’

‘Agreed,’ said Noble. ‘And if she’s preparing to take her own life, where’s the fear? Fear of pain. Fear of the unknown. She wasn’t afraid.’

Brook looked at Noble. ‘Like maybe she’s unaware that she’s supposed to be committing suicide.’

‘Exactly. She’s smiling almost as if she knows she’s famous enough now to walk into the modelling contract of her choice. Charlton was right — now she’s famous, she can come home and milk the attention.’ He started the broadcast again. ‘Contrast with Kyle.’

They watched Kyle’s statement. He was edgy, his delivery halting and fretful.

‘Now that is someone who thinks he’s about to die.’

Brook nodded. ‘That friend of Becky’s?’

‘Fern Stretton.’

‘She’s always believed Becky was in no danger. Maybe there’s a reason for that. Let’s take another run at her. After tonight’s press briefing she might finally realise Becky is in trouble.’

DS Gadd and DC Smee walked into the room. Gadd’s face betrayed her mounting frustration.

‘Nothing?’ asked Brook.

‘No. Read and a couple of others are manning the phones. We’re working through any tips but nothing stands out as a viable location. Smethwick is a real loner. He has no relatives and no friends we can find. We’re hunting up