"We can try," says Jim, who started doing just that as soon as the question came out of Matilda's mouth. "If she's working somewhere where she's not being paid under the table, she'll be using an alias, she's got just enough sense for that. A woman of her description will stand out, though you'd be amazed how many large and terrifying women end up teaching small children, especially in England . . . all not finding her at a school will mean is we've not found her."

It frustrates him a little, a reaction he notes with disapproval. He can't afford to get too reliant on his network; from there it's just a small step to complacence, and complacence is as good as a lobotomy as far as he's concerned.