‘That’s good. I can speak to you all together.’ The inspector stood at the end of the bed, as if unsure whether he should pull up a chair. ‘I’m pleased to report that we believe we now know who was responsible for the attack.’

‘Thank God for that.’ Stuart slumped down onto the bedcovers at Prue’s feet. ‘And I hope you’ll be keeping them locked up and throwing away the key.’

‘The person in question is not in police custody, sir.’

‘Why the hell not? If you know who it is …’

‘I’m sorry to say that we retrieved a body earlier today, from the railway line. It looks very much like a suicide. And there was a note. Well, more of a letter, I suppose. A full confession, in fact. Suffice it to say, we will not be looking for anyone else in regard to our enquiries, Miss Harris.’

‘Oh, my God. You mean it was the person who attacked me? And that they’ve … been hit by a train? Killed themselves?’

The police officer lowered his eyes and nodded. ‘I’m afraid so, yes.’

‘But, why? Why would anyone do that? To me? To themselves?’ Prue shuddered. ‘I can’t imagine … Oh, it’s just horrible.’

‘It is indeed. A horrible business. For the rail staff and the ambulance crew who had to deal with the incident especially. Not a pretty sight, when something like that happens on the tracks.’

‘And can you tell us who it was?’ Faith had a hand to her mouth as if she was about to be sick. ‘And why …’

‘I can assure you that your daughter was not the assailant’s target, Mrs Harris. The person in question was known to Miss Cardew, and it was Miss Cardew who was the intended victim. I’m sorry, Prue, but you were very much in the wrong place at the wrong time, it seems. It could have been much worse, of course, and we must be grateful that she didn’t manage to inflict a great deal more harm.’

‘She?’ They all said it together.

‘Yes. A fellow resident of Belle Vue Court, apparently. I have officers there now. We need to inform the next of kin, you’ll understand, so I can’t say a lot more right now. I just thought you should know that the danger has passed, there is no assailant waiting out there to try again. That you are safe. And that there will be no need for a court case, obviously. No need for you to have to testify.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll leave you in peace now. And, if I don’t see you again, I wish you a speedy recovery and a safe journey home. Goodbye, Miss Harris … Mr and Mrs Harris.’

Chapter 41

MADI

The police were back. There were two cars parked outside, right on the double yellow lines, three uniformed officers down in the hall, and the same policeman she had met before – Inspector Fletcher – was shaking the rain from his mac as Madi came in after them, a folded newspaper clutched in her hand. She had been curious to read the reports George had mentioned that morning and had been lucky to pick up the last copy of the paper in the shop. Now she got the distinct impression that whatever it said was going to be old news. It was clear from the level of activity here and now that something else had happened.