‘And he’s working the same investigation?’

Another nod. She stared ahead. The traffic slowed.

‘Is there something you want to tell me?’ He got straight to the point.

‘I think he thinks I’ve still got feelings for him. But I haven’t. I can’t stand him.’

‘Something must have made him believe that’s the case. Did something happen in London?’

‘No!’ She said it far too quickly.

‘You spent almost a week with him, and you never mentioned it.’

‘I didn’t know he’d be the SIO!’

‘God, he must be so pissed off that he let you go.’ He smiled at her and took her hand. ‘Why are you so nervous?’

‘I thought you’d be…’

‘What? Jealous?’

‘Aren’t you?’

‘A bit, but I also love you. He’s coming here?’

She nodded.

‘Can I meet him?’

‘Oh no!’

‘Why? I can wind him up. Is this the one who stabbed you in the back?’

‘Same.’

‘Now I get it. You were sleeping with him. No wonder it hurt.’

She looked away.

‘So you’re not tempted to move back there?’ he asked.

‘Is that what you were worried about?’ She looked back at him.

He stared down at his hands. She brushed hair away from his eyes and leant over to kiss him. Three years ago, she’d thought Matt Carter was ‘the one’; now it was difficult to believe that she’d settle for less than what was right in front of her.

‘Do you want me to beat him up?’ Johnny smiled broadly and winked.

Chapter 46

The white van, with the graffiti still scrawled on the back of it, had been found in London. It had been pulled over for having a number plate hanging off. Upon further inspection, it was revealed that the number was fake and that it was partially covering the genuine one. The vehicle wasn’t registered, but the occupants had been detained under caution and the plate had been put through the PNC. They had a match and they had three more suspects. One of them had mentioned Leo Brown, who’d already mentioned the three of them in interview. Things were falling into place.