“She’s telling the truth,” Sophie butted in. “I’m a doctor and believe me, her injuries are consistent with that explanation. Look at those grazes—you don’t get skin damage like that in a straightforward beating.”

Lauren scowled. “Who the hell are you anyway?” she demanded of Sophie, then rounded on Lindsay. “I’m taking a risk, coming here to talk to you. What d’you want to bring a stranger along with you for?”

Lindsay sighed. “Sophie is my girlfriend. She also happens to be a doctor, and on both counts she wasn’t about to let me out of the door by myself this morning. It’s okay, Lauren, you can trust her. Sophie was Penny’s best friend back in California.”

Lauren looked uncertainly from one to the other. Something in Sophie’s steady eyes calmed her and she sat down abruptly. “You going to get me something to drink, then?”

“I’ll go,” Sophie said, taking details of what everyone wanted.

While she collected drinks and food, Lauren said, “You better be making this worth my while. Baz was having a right go about you yesterday, taking the piss something shocking. About how you was accusing her of murder, then Danny walks in and points out that she was doing a live radio show when it happened. And Baz says to me that if you turn up again looking for her, I’m to show you the door. So this better be good.”

Lindsay nodded calmly. “I hear what you’re saying. You’ll be well looked after, I promise you. First off, I’ve got a couple of questions, but if you don’t mind, I’d rather wait till Sophie comes back.”

Lauren’s eyebrows flicked upwards in bored exasperation. Her response was to take out her cigarettes and light up. “What do you need her for?” she asked petulantly.

“Because my brain’s still cabbaged from all the painkillers the hospital shoved into me when I did my swallow dive on to the asphalt. Chances are I won’t remember all the things I need to know. Okay?” Lindsay said mildly.

“I suppose.” Lauren smoked furiously, her lips pursed between inhalations. When Sophie rejoined them with mineral water and sandwiches, she ostentatiously crushed out her cigarette. “So how much are you offering me?” she demanded, all empty belligerence.

“How does two and a half sound?” Lindsay said. “That’s a final offer, by the way. Non-negotiable.”

“Two hundred and fifty?” Lauren squeaked, impressed in spite of herself. Then suspicion kicked in. “What d’you want me to do that’s worth that kind of money? I ain’t putting myself at risk here.”

“Pretty much the same as you did for Penny. Let us in the building today and we’ll drop the keys off with you later.”

“There’ll be people there. Working.”

“On a Saturday?” Lindsay sounded incredulous.