According to the electoral register, White had been renting this smart ground-floor residence in Palmers Green for the past two months. The team back at base were busy checking his circumstances prior to that. But for the moment, this address and the office on Cavendish Square, both of which they had tried, were the only places connected to him.

Which exhausted their options for now.

It was only ninety minutes since they had apprehended John Mardell on the railway tracks in Hammersmith, and his subsequent revelation about who had instigated his visit to the Paranormal Society headquarters. Afterwards, they had marched him to the safety of the train station, which turned out to be Ravenscourt Park, and back to street level. On the way, Hawkins had continued questioning him.

Having given up White’s name, and apparently now keen to minimize any further time in custody for himself, Mardell had become refreshingly forthcoming. It seemed that he and White had known each other for several years, having met in spiritual circles before Mardell became involved with Millennial Dawn. White had helped Mardell by making introductions to smooth his integration; teaching him the various etiquettes necessary for success. When the two parted ways, Mardell had promised to repay his mentor’s generosity if it was ever required. Their paths hadn’t crossed since.

Until two days ago.

White had called Mardell without warning, asking his friend to go straight to Cavendish Square and perform the odd but seemingly innocuous task he described. He had explained no further than to say that, if anyone left the building and approached him, he was to flee, and if caught, he was to remain silent no matter what. Mardell had agreed, but maintained that he had no idea why the older man had requested the favour.

Either John Mardell was an accomplished liar, or he was telling the truth, but Hawkins had exercised caution, calling for support on their way back to the car, and handing Mardell over to the responding officers when they arrived at Albion Mews. Mardell was then driven straight to Fulham station for her to question further, as soon as she’d picked up Joseph White.

Unfortunately, that task was proving more difficult than she had hoped.

The most likely place to find White had been at his office, and Mike had agreed with her suggestion not to announce their visit by ringing ahead, and so after offloading Mardell, the two detectives had driven straight to Cavendish Square.

The journey was spent discussing possible reasons for White to call in this favour. The obvious answer had to be that Mardell’s presence was diversionary, especially once Hawkins remembered that the founder had been standing near the window during her first visit, which now looked like a tactical move to draw attention that way. Her mind flashed back to the moment White had vacated his position on that side of the room, and she had unthinkingly filled the space.