They pick their way through the early evening traffic, negotiating tram tracks, bus gates, and the one-way system, until they are out of the city center and winding along the curves of the A57 toward Manchester. The Snake Pass. Sharp bends give way to intermittent stretches of long, straight tarmac. When they reach these spots, Oscar puts his foot down, taking the car to its limit before braking hard again for the next turn. They travel in silence. Tyler wants to ask where they are headed but refuses to give Oscar the satisfaction. The erratic driving feels like a challenge, a deliberate attempt at breaking rules, of disregarding Tyler’s authority. So he says nothing, just closes his eyes, slumps in his seat, and forces himself to relax. With the top down on the convertible the wind blasts across his face, but the air is warm and far from unpleasant. Tyler smiles to himself.

How does he end up in these situations? He still hasn’t decided what, if anything, to tell Jordan, but he’s damned if he’ll pose as Doggett’s honey trap. Then again, isn’t that exactly what he’s doing right now? This is hardly a conventional interview with a suspect. He wonders why he hasn’t heard anything from the DI yet. Perhaps because he knew what Tyler would do all along. And then he wonders why Doggett didn’t mention that he used to play golf with Gerald Cartwright. Doesn’t that make him guilty of not declaring interests as well? But then, playing golf with someone and sleeping with someone are hardly the same thing.

The car slows for another bend. Tyler opens his eyes and sees a set of traffic lights ahead of them. The lights change to green, but Oscar takes the left turn at the junction. Tyler recognizes the place as Ladybower Reservoir. He remembers one particular Sunday when his father brought them here on a family outing. And he remembers how they’d left early when Richard was called into work. Jude sulked half the way home until Richard shouted at him, while their mother spent the entire journey in silence. Tyler kept his eyes on her all the way. He knew something was wrong even then. How did the others not? Why didn’t he say something? Looking back, he supposes it wouldn’t have made much difference. She must have already made her decision by then. A couple of weeks later she walked out of their lives for good.

Oscar stops the car in a small unpaved parking lot and switches off the engine. Still he doesn’t speak, but gets out of the car and walks to the edge of the reservoir. Tyler takes his time to catch up.