‘But she definitely could be awakened even an hour or two after having taken a couple of these things?’

‘Certainly. Mind you, it depends on what you mean by awakened. What took place might seem like a dream to her afterwards – there might not even be a memory of it.’

Miller got to his feet. ‘Very helpful – very helpful indeed.’

They went out into the hall and Das opened the door for him. ‘Do you intend to arrest young Phillips? Is there really a case against him?’

‘I’ve been ordered to take him in again for further questioning,’ Miller said. ‘I can’t be more definite than that. I suppose you’ve heard that Grant’s in hospital after a car accident? That means the Scotland Yard man, Chief Superintendent Mallory, is in charge. If you want to go any further with this, he’s the man to see.’

‘I’m concerned with one thing only,’ Das said. ‘The welfare of Mrs Phillips. I would hope that you could keep the seriousness of this business from her until the last possible moment. If you intend to question her then I think I should be there.’

‘As I said, I’m going round to pick up her son now,’ Miller told him. ‘And there are obviously certain questions I must put to his mother. You’re perfectly at liberty to come with me. In fact I’d welcome it.’

‘Very well,’ Das said. ‘I’ll follow in my own car. You’ll wait for me before entering?’

‘Certainly,’ Miller said and he went down the steps to the Mini-Cooper and drove away.

Brady was standing in the doorway of a newsagent’s shop just round the corner from Narcia Street and he ran across the road through the heavy rain and scrambled into the Mini-Cooper as Miller slowed.

‘Not bad timing,’ he said. ‘I’ve only just got here.’ He produced the gloves. ‘The girl’s father recognized these straightaway. He bought them for her as a birthday present. She was with him at the time. He even remembers the shop. That boutique place in Grove Square.’

‘Good enough,’ Miller said. ‘I’ve seen Das. He tells me you only prescribe Canbutal when a patient can’t sleep because of pain.’

‘So the old girl’s in a bad way?’

‘You could say that. Das is following on behind, by the way. He’s coming in with us, just in case she gets a funny turn or anything.’

‘Good enough,’ Brady said.

A horn sounded behind them as Das arrived. Miller moved into gear, drove round the corner into Narcia Street and pulled up outside number ten.

When Harold opened the door there was a momentary expression of dismay on his face that was replaced in an instant by a brave smile.

‘Back again then?’ he said to Brady.

‘This is Detective Sergeant Miller,’ Brady said formally, ‘He’d like a few words with you.’