‘Well, I didn’t see her for a few weeks, maybe even more. I don’t know if she did get any modelling work. Then she came around again and told me she had been chosen to go to a film premiere and I agreed to get her all dressed up. I was not around when whatever happened to her happened, but I know she created a big scene because something had gone on in one of the hotel rooms.’

‘Was she sexually abused?’ Jane asked.

Tanya frowned. ‘Listen, I’m telling you all I know. I’ve just said I wasn’t there when the shit hit the fan. But I did my best to calm her down later and I told her if anything bad had happened to her, she was to tell Charles Foxley and he would give her more money than she could dream of.’ Tanya gave a nasty laugh. ‘I think she took my advice but I never saw her again.’

‘Do you know how old she was?’ Jane asked.

Tanya shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I never asked any of the other girls. Now I hear Simon Quinn’s lost his job after what happened to Mr. Foxley, so I suppose that’s me fucked.’ She smirked. ‘Literally.’

Jane stood up. ‘Thank you for being honest with me, Tanya.’ As she opened the door to go, she looked back. The tough-as-nails Tanya seemed on the brink of tears.

‘I hope nothing bad has happened to Yasmin after that night, because she was not only beautiful, but really sweet and kind.’

Jane closed the door behind her.

*

Jane drove to South Thames College in Tooting. By now it was after 3 p.m. By the time she got to the entrance a number of teenage students were leaving and she was concerned that she might be too late to speak to anyone. She stopped a young Asian boy and asked him if he knew Midilah Fareedi. He gestured behind him and Jane saw a young woman wearing a hijab. Jane approached her.

‘My name is Detective Sergeant Jane Tennison. Are you Midilah Fareedi?’

The girl’s beautiful dark eyes immediately became wary, glancing towards the street.

‘I cannot speak. I must return home,’ she said quietly.

‘I just need to have a few moments of your time, Midilah, to talk about Yasmin Farook,’ Jane said.

Midilah kept walking. ‘I cannot speak about my cousin. Please.’

Jane kept pace with her. She kept her voice calm and polite. ‘I’m sorry but I’m concerned for Yasmin’s safety. I need to know where she is.’

Midilah stopped, keeping her head bowed. ‘It is a private family matter.’

Jane could feel the tension as the girl clutched at her satchel.

‘Please, I just need a few moments of your time, Midilah. My car is parked very near. I really don’t want to ask you to accompany me to the police station, but we could drive somewhere more private.’