It took the combined forces of the ACC and Geoff Dickinson only a couple of hours to deliver the goods on Chris Agnew. Clarke and Esson sat opposite one another at their respective desks, going through the list of numbers and duration of calls. Esson’s visit to Cafferty had resulted only in a further denial regarding the photo. When he’d asked his aide to put in a phone call to his lawyer, Esson and Ritchie had given up the fight.

‘Some pad he’s got,’ Ritchie kept telling his colleagues, whether they wanted to hear it or not. ‘Biggest telly I’ve ever seen.’

‘I didn’t even register it,’ Esson had said to Clarke.

Clarke studied the printed sheets more closely. Calls, text and media messages, browsing and downloads. There was nothing to be gleaned from the last two. She cross-referenced the numbers called against known users. Most belonged to fellow officers at Tynecastle. Some to fast-food outlets. But the most frequently called number was one she didn’t recognise. She looked again at the data they had taken from Agnew’s phone when they’d asked his permission to check it. The number wasn’t there.

‘He’s deleted every instance,’ she told Esson.

‘So who does it belong to?’

‘One way to find out.’ Clarke picked up her own phone and entered the number. After ringing a few times, it went to a chatty message.

‘Not here, sorry. Leave your deets, I’ll get back to you if you’re worth it. I’m sure you are. Mwah.’

Clarke stared at the device for a moment, then lifted her eyes, meeting those of the expectant Esson.

‘Mwah,’ she said. It only took Esson a moment.

‘Stephanie Pelham?’

‘Definitely her voice. But just to make sure …’ Clarke got busy on her phone again. ‘Hiya, Gina,’ she said when the call was answered. ‘Very quick one – do you have both phone numbers for Cheryl’s sister? Business and personal?’ She paused and listened, nodding for Esson’s benefit as she did so. ‘Thanks. I’ll explain later.’ She tossed her phone onto her desk and leaned back in her chair.

‘I don’t get it,’ Esson said.

‘Dozens of calls and texts to her personal phone this past month, not to mention media messages.’

‘Meaning photos or video?’

Clarke nodded slowly. ‘Stands to reason they’d have met – maybe a dinner or a function in a pub. We already know there were regular get-togethers, showing off the wives and girlfriends.’

Esson was checking her computer. ‘Agnew told us he’s been divorced three years.’

‘And Stephanie’s own divorce is well under way.’

‘With her painted as the wronged woman, meaning a big payday.’

Clarke nodded again. ‘Imperilled if any naughtiness on her part were to come to light.’

Esson rested her chin on one hand. ‘Who was it told you Agnew was worth a look?’