German investigators into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are preparing to drop the case if the lead suspect leaves prison.
Convicted German sex offender Christian Brückner, 43, could be released from prison within days if a prison appeal is successful.
Lead prosecutor in the McCann case Hans Christian Wolters says while German police believe Brückner did kidnap Madeleine in 2007, he doesn't want the investigation to last longer than necessary.
"Of course we have an interest in keeping our suspect in custody," Wolters said, according to The Sun. "This gives us access to interrogations in the event of an indictment.
"We have no endeavors to drag this out unnecessarily. We'll draw a line at some point and see."
Madeleine was three-years-old when she was abducted from her family's apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal while on holiday. Parents Kate and Gerry were dining at a nearby bar and she was gone when they returned.
Brückner lived on Portugal's Algarve coast from 1995 to 2007 and he received a call on his mobile phone in Praia da Luz about one hour before Madeleine went missing. He was also believed to be living near the McCann's apartment when she vanished.
He's currently serving a prison sentence for drugs offences and is due to start a seven-year jail term for raping a 72-year-old woman in Portugal in 2005.
His lawyers have appealed this conviction under a legal technicality at the European Court of Justice and he is due to hear a verdict on Thursday (local time). If the appeal is successful, he will leave jail.
Brückner denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance in June.
Portuguese police began a search for Madeleine's body in the Algarve coast in the weekend, with searches taking place in Vila do Bispo - a 20 minute drive from Praia da Luz.
Detectives reportedly discovered "fundamental evidence" linking Brückner to Madeleine's disappearance, according to Portuguese state broadcaster RTP, but wouldn't go into any detail.
