‘Robert knew what happened in London, and he knew I was thinking of getting in touch with Dee. Ursula didn’t want me to contact Dee. I don’t know why, but Robert did what he always does. He stepped in to fix things, making sure I didn’t do anything his dear wife didn’t want me to.’

‘But this is Robert we’re talking about. He’s one of the most straight-up men I’ve ever met.’

‘Maybe he’s just better at fooling people.’

‘That’s not true,’ Maeve said. ‘You need to speak to him, Emer. He’s worried sick. I told you he called earlier, asking if I’d heard from you.’

‘You can’t tell him I’m here.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Maeve said. ‘I won’t say a word, even though I think you’re wrong. But before you make plans to run off to England, can we at least think this through together?’

‘There’s nothing to think through,’ Emer said.

‘Of course there is. You’ve decided Robert hired this woman, but what if there’s another explanation?’

‘Like what?’

‘Like Dee is lying to you. Or the woman she met has nothing to do with Robert. Think for a second. Who else did you tell about seeing Kitty when you were in London?’

‘Hardly anyone,’ Emer said. ‘Robert and Ursula. You. Nikki. That’s about it.’

‘So why not suspect me or Nikki?’

‘Because you didn’t know about Dee,’ she said. ‘You didn’t know I have a cousin who’s an investigative journalist. Robert, on the other hand, did. I’d told him I was thinking of contacting Dee, and he talked me out of it. He persuaded me to let him handle the whole thing. And because I trusted him, that’s what I did.’

‘What about Nikki?’

‘Why would Nikki have anything to do with this?’

‘You could ask the same question about Robert,’ Maeve said. ‘So tell me, does Nikki know about Dee?’

Emer thought of the emails she’d sent. The ones that remained unanswered. She’d assumed Nikki was ignoring her. Was it possible there was another reason she hadn’t replied to any of Emer’s emails?

‘Nikki has nothing to do with this,’ she said.

‘You told me she’s living in London,’ Maeve said. ‘It would be easy for her to get in touch with Dee and pretend she’s you.’

‘Stop it,’ Emer said. ‘I don’t want to talk about Nikki, okay?’

Maeve shrugged.

‘Your choice. If you say she’s not involved, then I’m sure you’re right. I’m just saying you need to consider every angle. It makes as much sense as blaming Robert.’

‘Not if Robert had something to do with Kitty’s disappearance.’

‘You think that’s possible?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe.’

Maeve stayed silent for a moment, before shaking her head.

‘What reason could he have for doing that?’