Franklin had been reluctant to confirm what she’d guessed. ‘Why would I know where your old DCI is hiding?’ he’d said on the phone, sounding more amused than truculent. ‘It’s not like we were pals.’

‘I had you down as somebody who knows when a mouse farts on his patch,’ Paula said. ‘So if you don’t know where she is, I’d have to conclude she’s not in West Yorkshire. And focus my attentions elsewhere.’

As she’d expected, the challenge to his capability did the trick. ‘I never said I didn’t know,’ he replied.

‘Any reason why you wouldn’t tell me?’

‘Is this a police inquiry, Sergeant? Or a personal one?’

‘Does it make a difference, sir?’

‘We’re all entitled to our privacy and our family life, according to the human rights lawyers. If Jordan doesn’t want to play nice with you lot any more, that’s her choice. And it wouldn’t be my place to deprive her of those rights.’

‘And if it was an official inquiry?’

‘I’d expect it to come through official channels.’

‘I’m a detective sergeant, sir. How official do you need it to be?’ There was a long pause. She could hear the rasp of him scratching stubble.

‘Ah, fuck it,’ he said. ‘Why are we playing stupid games with each other? She’s living at the barn. Her brother’s barn. She’s stripping it to the bare bones. There’s nothing left to show what happened.’

‘Thank you. I owe you a pint, sir.’

‘You do. But I’ll pass. I don’t like you Bradfield bastards. That goes for Jordan just as much as the rest of you. So there’s enough pleasure for me in grassing her up. Drive safe, Sergeant, we’re not keen on dangerous drivers over here.’

He was gone before she could say more. And now it was after nine o’clock and the only thing between her and despair was the satnav. Every road looked the same, bordered by the wild grasses of the moorland or drystone walls that looked drunk but always seemed to stay upright. Occasional lights glimmered in the dark and now and again she’d pass a huddle of buildings claiming to be a village. Finally, a large building loomed on her right and her bossy navigator said, ‘You have reached your destination.’ Paula pulled into the parking area and turned off the engine. She felt sick.