Fry watched her, trying to hide the scepticism in her face. She heard the words, and recognized some of the phrases from the medical reports. But she didn’t believe that you could wipe out memories completely, no matter how unpleasant. They left their traces everywhere, in the overlooked corners of your mind, and in the sensations of your body – the touch of your skin against your clothes, the sudden devastating echo in a sound, or the malignant resonance of a smell. Memories were cancerous growths, secretive and spiteful; sometimes you didn’t know they were there until it was too late. Diane Fry knew all about memories.

‘This is just an introductory meeting,’ she said. ‘I’ll come back to talk to you again tomorrow, Maggie. If that’s all right with you.’

‘If you must.’

‘It’s very important now.’

‘Ah.’ Maggie hesitated. ‘Does that mean you have another victim?’

‘Yes, Maggie. And it’s vital we catch this man before he kills again.’

Maggie stared at Diane Fry out of her good eye, assessing her sharply, staring with the unblinking curiosity of someone who rarely saw a new visitor.

‘Kills?’

‘Yes, it’s murder this time. This victim died.’

Fry watched for a reaction. The trembling in Maggie’s hands and the draining of the colour from her face gave Fry a small measure of satisfaction.

‘We also want to put you on a witness protection programme. You know what that means?’

‘Of course. Remember I’m a lawyer.’

‘We’ll ask you to consider finding somewhere else to stay, if possible, Maggie, until we think it’s safe. In the meantime, a technician will call to install alarms in your apartment. You’ll be given a phone number you can call at any time.’

Maggie took a moment to recover her composure. ‘Is all that necessary?’

‘Maggie, we’re looking for a killer now. And you’re the only person who can identify him.’

‘I won’t go away. I’m staying here.’

‘But the other precautions . . .’ said Fry.

‘All right. But there’s one condition.’

‘Yes?’

‘If you’re going to visit me, do not feel sorry for me. I won’t talk to anyone who shows even the slightest sign of feeling sorry for me. Do you understand?’

‘Of course.’

Diane Fry was glad when Maggie Crew turned away. Since she had met Maggie at the door of her apartment, it had taken her several minutes to settle down, to recover from the initial shock. The sight of her had made Fry’s stomach muscles clench with vicarious pain as she tried to control her expression. But this woman must be used to such reactions by now.