I do hate it when bureaucrats fail to personalise the situtation. Medway Council was excellent. I had a response within 24 hours to my enquiry about the horrid possibility for Smidgen. There are many B&W cats out there, so the odds are against it being Talon so fingers crossed. In the horrid event that it is him, it will help your other cat to get over it if she can see the body. I find that if this is possible, the animals work out what has happened and get on with things much better than people do. Otherwise, just see if you can maintain a normal routine at home and that may help your other cat to settle better. I do so hope for your sake that it is not Talon. But I also know how hard it is to stay positive. Chin up, and with any luck you will be welcoming him home soon...