We spoke for another hour before breaking up for the evening. I wanted to go home, but Anne flatly refused to let me out of Arachne’s lair until I’d had a full day’s rest, and I gave in. Anne stayed to keep an eye on me, Luna stayed to keep Anne company, and in the end we all spent the night there. Before going to sleep I made two calls and left two messages: one to the number Caldera had left me, and one to an unnamed number that cut in to a voice mail service. “It’s Alex,” I said into the phone. “We need to meet. Call me back.” I hung up and walked back down the tunnel. The day had tired me more than I’d realised, and as soon as I lay down I fell into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

The next day dawned hot and dry, the heat reaching down into the earth to raise the temperature of Arachne’s cave. Anne checked on me several times, and by the afternoon finally decided I was fit for action. “Now, do try not to get stabbed again,” Arachne said as I got ready to leave. “At least not until next week.”

“Would you lay off already? It’s not like I do this regularly.”

“Well, whether you do or don’t, come back in a couple of days. I’ll have something for you.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“I think you’re doing the right thing.”

I looked at Arachne in surprise. “Trying to find Catherine?”

“Your friend Anne came to the right answer, even if she might not know why,” Arachne said. “Whatever you find at the end of this, you’ve needed to do it for a long time.”

“Let’s hope you’re right,” I said. Anne and Variam and Luna emerged from one of the side caves and I waved to them. “I’ll see you soon.”

* * *

It was a beautiful day and Hampstead Heath was packed, people soaking up the warmth of the sun and resting in the shade. Students threw Frisbees on the greens while families walked at a leisurely pace down the wooded paths, children and dogs racing around their ankles. The four of us left the Heath and crossed Kentish Town, taking the bridge over the canal.

Coming back to my shop felt less like coming home and more like making camp in enemy territory. I scanned my shop and flat thoroughly from a distance, then we entered on foot and searched the building from top to bottom. Once we were done Anne and Variam left to make a circuit of the block.

“Anything?” I asked once Anne was back.

“I don’t think so,” Anne said. “The streets are crowded but I can’t see anyone watching.”

I nodded. “I can’t find anything either.”

“That’s kind of weird,” Luna said curiously. “Shouldn’t they be staking the place out or something?”