‘It’s a weird one, sis.’ Jameson was halfway through his coffee already. The man inhaled the stuff. ‘The other people who’ve received these cards have been missing for a good few weeks now and the first one for two months.’

‘What do you think?’ Bloom asked. ‘Is this game something Lana might play on a whim?’

Claire spoke quietly. ‘Lana’s had a rough time recently. Since Afghanistan she’s been struggling. She’s been on a few more tours – driving, this time – but it’s not easy. I don’t know what happened out there, but she’s having a hard time coping.’

‘You think she might want to escape?’ asked Bloom.

‘She wouldn’t leave Jane. She’s a good mum.’

Jameson tutted. ‘What’re you talking about, Claire? You’re always moaning that she’s a terrible mother.’

Claire tilted her head, raised her eyebrows towards the hallway and spoke through clenched teeth. ‘Not when I can be overhead I’m not.’

Jameson dropped the volume of his voice. ‘OK, but it won’t help us if you hold back. We need to know what’s really going on with Lana.’

‘Fine.’ Claire kept her voice low as she spoke to Bloom. ‘Lana’s incredibly good fun but utterly flaky. She can’t be trusted to pay her bills or do her shopping and that’s not down to the PTSD. She’s been like that as long as I’ve known her.’

‘How long’s that?’ said Bloom.

‘About ten years. She and Jane moved here not long after Dan and me. They live at number seventeen. It’s split into flats.’ Claire glanced towards the hallway. ‘She puts a hell of a lot on that young girl. What with the drinking and the constant absences, it’s a wonder Jane hasn’t gone off the rails herself.’

‘She’s been lucky to have you and Sue,’ said Jameson.

Claire gave her brother a smile. ‘Sue lives across the road,’ she explained to Bloom. ‘She and I have taken turns to have Jane over the years, but it’s fallen on me and Dan a bit more lately. Sue and Mark are going through a divorce.’

‘Has anything happened recently to make you think Lana is struggling any more than usual?’

Claire frowned and shook her head. ‘If I’m honest, I actually thought she was getting better.’

Bloom knew that people with depression often seemed to be doing better in the weeks and days before they took their own lives.

‘Tell Augusta about the men,’ said Jameson to his sister.

Jane appeared in the doorway.

‘Hi sleepyhead,’ said Claire. ‘Want a cuppa?’

Jane nodded. She had made a small effort – she was dressed – but not much. Her hair hung limply around her face and her leggings and long-sleeved T-shirt were only one step away from pyjamas.

‘How ya doin’, sport?’ Jameson said to Jane. She responded with a weak smile.