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sisters who were refusing to speak to each other or form partners in the games and competitions.
    â€˜Seems the girls squabbled over their costumes before they left for the party and Kevin was annoyed by their behaviour. He also resented having to be there to keep an eye on them because he exceeded the upper age limit by one week. He thought he should instead have been allowed to attend the teens’ disco this Saturday.’
    â€˜It’s a difficult age,’ said Heather Johnson, who had two young brothers.
    â€˜I spoke to Sergeant Maddox an hour ago. He promised to send through to us the statements they took last night from the helpers and organizers. He had a very brief word with the parents and was told by Corporal McRitchie that young Kevin is starting to find his feet, answer back, flout the rules. A rebel in the making?
    â€˜There are a number of possible motives for an attack of this kind. We have first to whittle down which is the most likely. My eldest girl described Kevin as smaller than many of his classmates, with big eyes more like a girl’s. He’s middling bright but hopeless at sport. The perfect target for bullies, you’d think, but he holds his own because he’s a whizz on the guitar and can strut his stuff like the top pop idols. So Maggie says.’ He surveyed the team. ‘Input?’
    â€˜Macho schoolmate, captain of every sports team and half as big again as our Kev discovers his hot girlfriend prefers a weedy warbler to a beefy scrum half. Giving the opposition a good hiding at a tinies’ party would add to his humiliation,’ suggested Piercey.
    â€˜Wrong kind of weapon for that premise, I’d have thought,’ Heather reminded him tartly. ‘A classmate is more likely to use a knife or give him a violent kicking.’
    Derek Beeny, Piercey’s friend and frequent partner, offered another slant. ‘A lad like that would catch the eye of paedophiles. The sexy pop performances would rack up the attraction. Maybe he’s been propositioned. Several times by the same guy. Frustration could mount to instigate a savage attack. And as Phil said, dealing out the punishment at a party for small kids would add spice to the deed.’
    Connie Bush said thoughtfully, ‘What if one, or both, of his parents has had a serious set-to with someone on the base? I met Greg McRitchie several years ago when he gave evidence in a case. He’s a solidly built, aggressive type you’d think twice about tangling with, so why not get back at him through his puny son? Hit the easier target.’
    Olly Simpson elaborated on that. ‘It’ll be worth looking at the McRitchies’ neighbours. If Kevin’s a rising pop star and starting to flout the rules, could be he’s driving them spare with a surfeit of rock, pop, rap, hip-hop, whatever’s his scene. Full blast, hour after hour, antisocial noise can drive the most placid folk to retaliate with aggression.’
    Silence fell. Tom broke it. ‘I’ve heard no mention of a deranged intruder.’ Still silence. ‘OK, it’s an outside possibility, but we have to check it out.’
    Staff Sergeant Pete Melly volunteered to liaise with George Maddox on that, and Olly Simpson was detailed to chase up anything of relevance on Kevin’s musical activity. Leaving Sergeants Roy Jakes and Bob Prentiss to consolidate the search for Lance-Corporal Treeves, the remainder went about the time-consuming business of tracking down and questioning the children who had attended the party. Bringing up their home addresses on the screen, they swiftly divided the list into areas each would cover and set off in vehicles with chains on the wheels.
    Max went first to the local Krankenhaus where, according to the early morning report along with copies of last night’s statements from George Maddox, Kevin McRitchie was still in intensive care but medically stable. No one was prepared yet to