Taylor's mobile phone, what was said could explain where Ryan is now.

That was probably taken in Bridge Street, Hereford, around midnight on December 23 when CCTV shows the 20-year-old from Newton Farm drunk and alone.

A trace will confirm that last caller, then the questions can be put - and there are plenty - about Ryan's disappearance, such as his being seen in a change of clothes on Hunderton footpath at 8.40am the following day.

By 11am that day, Ryan was being served a pint at the Booth Hall. At 7.15pm he was outside the HSBC. High Town.

It seems all of Hereford has a theory. Four experienced investigators are working their way along a timeline that leads him, and them, into limbo.

An equally painstaking probe of Ryan's private life has failed to find any indication of a planned disappearance.

His passport and provisional driving licence are at home, his credit cards and mobile phone have not been used and no money has moved from his bank since the £90 or so he had for his night out.

And, on the evidence so far, Ryan is not the sort to disappear. He lived by his routines. Insp Peter Gebbie and his team have had the usual flurry of dud tip-offs.

Every so-called sighting, every rumour, has been followed up, but three weeks on Ryan is still missing. So with the emotive appeals, and the obvious lines of inquiry exhausted, the fate of Ryan Taylor is 'under review'.

That means the investigation starts again. Together with Ryan's family, the officers will scan hours of CCTV footage from in and around the city centre.

That day-of -disappearance timeline is to be analysed with statements and anecdotes.

Even Ryan's razor and toothbrush have been taken away for DNA comparison. Because it is, says Inspector Gebbie, about detail now, learning who Ryan is, to learn where he might be.

Ideally, Ryan is alive and for some reason unable to let anyone know, said Insp. Gebbie. If so, a phone call will be enough. It wouldn't be the first time local officers have called on a family to say a loved one is OK but doesn't want to, or can't , come home.

"This is not a criminal inquiry. This is about finding Ryan," Insp Gebbie added. But for now Ryan is only on fading posters in Hereford city centre - or as shadowy still on CCTV drunk, alone, and headed home.