“Only yesterday. She’s working at the café again, washing up and general chores. She’s so devastated by everything that Fliss is trying to get her GP or social services to help with some kind of support. She’s also letting her stay in a room upstairs because she doesn’t want to go home.”

Shaking his head regretfully at that, Dan said, “So I know where to find her, should I need to. My next step though is to talk to Gould, to get his take on the usefulness of the proposal. If he supports it, I’ll contact Colbrook’s lawyer to try and get access to him. I’m told he’s on remand in Sellybrook, so not much more than an hour by car.”

“And my role will be to support Marcy,” Andee said, “should we ever manage to get them together?”

“Indeed. You’re already doing that as her victim support officer, so it makes sense for you to be her RJ practitioner, assuming we get that far.”

“How are you going to persuade Colbrook that this is good news for him?” Graeme asked, coming outside to top up his wineglass.

“The key,” Andee replied, “is tapping into a person’s natural empathy. The process can’t work without it, and at the moment we have no idea if Archie Colbrook possesses it.”

“I like to think everyone does, to some degree,” Dan declared, “but I’ve been proved wrong in the past. Gould will probably be able to fill me in on what sort of character we’re dealing with in Colbrook’s case.”

“You mean apart from one who sets fire to other people’s property while they’re inside?” Graeme didn’t mince his words.

Unable to argue with that, Dan said, “I don’t think there’s much doubt in anyone’s mind that he was paid to do it, although as far as I’m aware he hasn’t admitted to that.”

“He’ll be afraid to,” Andee put in.

“Indeed, so maybe engaging with him, not as a criminal on remand, or a legal client, but as a human being, we’ll end up with the link to Huxley-Browne we’re looking for. I realize it won’t turn back the clock, or heal Marcy’s injuries, but if she’s able to feel that justice is being done it could go a long way toward helping her to move on.”

“It could also,” Andee added, “satisfy Claudia’s need to make Huxley-Browne pay.” Her eyes moved to Graeme, inviting any further thoughts he might have.

“OK, if you’re giving me a vote,” he said, “I’m in favor of at least talking to the lad to find out if this can go anywhere.”

Turning back to Dan, Andee said, “Would you like me to see Gould with you?”