‘I suppose it would. Time is of the essence and my editor wants this story ready for our Saturday edition,’ Leanne replied, letting Claudia know that her ticking bomb had a timer. ‘I aim to prove that the reunion we arranged between you and Amelia was the first time you ever met. You weren’t the woman with injured hands that Rex Russell described carrying Amelia. The person who treated you on the scene has stated for the record that you didn’t have a scratch on you. Then there’s the small matter of the key ring torch. Your reaction when it was mentioned by Amelia was caught on camera, and we’ll be sharing the video with our readers. They can make up their own minds as to whether your faux pas was genuine confusion, or if it shows how you’ve been making things up as you went along.’

‘You would need parental consent to use that video.’

‘I’m sure the Parkers will be more than happy to cooperate. In fact I was talking to Amelia only this weekend. We had a very productive chat.’

‘And?’ Claudia asked. She dug her fingernails into her unblemished palm, using the pain to remain focused.

‘There was a reason she thought your name was spelled with a K.’

‘I presume it was because her mum spells Kathryn with a K.’

‘Now we both know that isn’t the real reason. I could explain, but my guess is you already know. That would be why you went to see Karin and stole her pendant.’

‘This is ridiculous.’

‘You’ve actually helped me out enormously. I’d say your actions have proven what was only a theory. And not just in my mind. You’ll find you can’t buy Karin’s silence as easily as you thought you could.’

‘The poor woman is unstable.’

‘Which is exactly why you were able to manipulate her. She’s been confused by memories she doesn’t think belong to her, but that’s about to change. It was Karin Gallagher who turned back for Amelia after the ceiling collapsed. She had the key ring torch, and she was wearing the same pendant around her neck that she wore up until last week. Amelia has confirmed that the necklace worn by her rescuer had a silver K hanging from it. It was Karin, not you, who pulled Amelia out of the rubble and handed her over before going back to look for her brother.’

‘Well, good luck trying to convince your readers with that piece of fiction.’

‘What did make you go into a burning building?’

‘You’re the reporter, you tell me,’ Claudia said, almost laughing. It was a relief to have confirmation that Leanne didn’t know everything.

Claudia savoured the silence on the other end of the line, and she was searching for another acerbic comment when the reporter found her voice again.

‘I think you were following Declan.’