‘On the other hand, it’s probably more likely that she was still here yesterday morning and took the ferry over then. She probably sent the text from the arrivals terminal before travelling on. I find it hard to believe she has been staying in Harwich since Sunday. It’s not exactly a great town.’

‘Then what the hell was she doing in Doggerland that day and Monday?’

‘Apparently, she grew up in Ravenby, so I suppose it’s possible she wanted to stop by there first. If you want, I can check with her parents and brother. I had planned to head up there and talk to them today anyway.’

‘Oh no, no. I’m just happy we’re rid of her. And you do, as you’ve pointed out, have more important things to get to. I will let Björken know you’re joining his team, effective immediately.’

He already knows.

Her first call after reading Luna’s text had been to Sören Larsen from forensics to ask him to check where the message had been sent from. The answer had come just a few hours later.

Then she had sent a text of her own, to Karl Björken.

L found. I’m your problem now. What time is the morning meeting tomorrow?

Björken had replied within minutes.

Great! 9 a.m. conference room.

‘OK,’ she says.

‘And try to remember that this time you’re working under Björken. I know you’re technically his senior, but you’re just going to have to deal with it.’

‘I have no problem working under someone else.’

Goddammit.

‘What I meant to say was . . .’ she hurries on, but then trails off.

No point. She has just given Smeed what he always seems to be waiting for. A chance to remind her about their one-night stand after an unusually boozy oyster festival. She recalls with revulsion the feeling of waking up hungover and anxiety-ridden next to her boss in a hotel bed. And everything that happened afterward. Hints and innuendo, until she finally had enough and informed him that he had more to lose from their misstep becoming public knowledge than she did. But in private, he clearly feels free to carry on like before.

‘Yeah, that’s how I remember it,’ he drawls, watching her with a wry smile. ‘No problem at all, Eiken.’

‘Was there anything else?’ she says calmly.

A shadow of disappointment and irritation, then the peremptory tone is back.

‘Yes, I saw you have your JRFT on Friday. No postponing this time, are we clear? The JRFT isn’t just—’

‘—a requirement, it’s an opportunity,’ she finishes for him. ‘I know. And I’m not worried. Have you had yours yet, by the way?’ she adds innocently.

‘Tomorrow,’ he replies curtly. ‘All right, you should get to it. It’s high time we caught that swine.’

*