“Well, normally photo ID, but obviously that doesn’t help here.”

“My bank account is secured with biometrics. Fingerprint and retinal scan.”

“That would work.”

It takes Superintendent Von Halen ten minutes to get my bank to send the retinal scan and fingerprints they hold on file, the ones I had added to my account for additional security two days after I got back from Vegas. More than enough to confirm my “real” identity to them.

“Thank you, Leah,” Von Halen says as he leaves the room. “And apologies for the inconvenience. It’s just that we have to make sure every box is ticked. I don’t want that bastard to walk free on a technicality.”

“Neither do I.” I offer him a sad smile. “I want justice for my sister.”

“And yourself.”

“Yeah… that too.”

Later that day, the officer in charge of the original missing person’s case comes to see me. Well, not the actual officer, her superior. DC Larry Johnson starts by apologizing for Officer Milly’s failings when I pretended to be Megan at the Belsize Park station. I feel bad for getting her into trouble; she seemed nice. I hope she doesn’t end up getting fired.

DC Larry Johnson tells me that they thought I was dead. I laugh bitterly. “I thought I was going to die,” I tell him, eyes burning into his until he looks away.

“Well, there was evidence that led us to believe that your boyfriend was involved and so we arrested Mr. Eagleton a few days ago.”

“Tom had nothing to do with any of this.”

DC Larry Johnson is squirming in his seat. “We had a tip-off. That you and he had an argument and he threatened you.”

“Jesus,” I say. “Do you think Chris—I mean, did he try to set up Tom?” I have decided to play dumb. To not let on that I knew what Chris was trying to do. This will be easier if I keep things as simple as possible.

“That’s what it looks like.”

“But that wouldn’t be enough to arrest someone, surely?”

“We found videos. On his laptop. Of your house.”

“Tom’s laptop?” I sound shocked and uncertain.

“Planted by Chris. We found the same files on his system too.”

“What kind of videos?”

“I think it’s probably better if you don’t think too much about it. Plus, there were messages on his phone, text conversations that sounded like you were breaking up with him and were scared he wouldn’t let you go.” Did Chris message Tom as if he were me? That bit is news. I only half listen as DC Larry Johnson carries on talking. “A dog walker found a mobile phone, with blood on it.”

I show him the palm of my right hand. The thin scar. “He cut me and used this little syringe to suck up the blood. He thought he had drugged me and that I was asleep, if that makes it any worse?”

DC Larry Johnson nods and takes a photo of my hand for his own case records. He stands up to go. “You’ve been very helpful, Leah, thank you.”