I could start by going back there. Maybe by now the police have notified the family and there’s someone there I can talk to. I could tell them that I was the one that found her and alerted police. That’s not too far from a version of truth and if I can comfort them with some— I stop myself in this thought. It’s not succour I have to give them, it’s something else – justice, or vigilantism. Because above all, they’d want him found. I want him found.

I quickly leave and find my way back on to the main road and begin to map the route to Farm Street. I can trace a path from Blue to Green Zones without ever having to look up. There is nothing to see out there anyway, I have come to understand that. There’s only what is at the feet. Everything else is just glister.

After a few miles of hard walking, I look up and the brass glints: 42B. Within I can see that the lights are on.

When I spoke to the police I couldn’t give them a good description of the man, but I can change that. He has to come or go at some point and all I have to do is stay here and watch him do it.

I take up a vantage point just past the sign for what looks like a business property, bordered by railings and sheltered a little from view. I plunge my hands into my coat pockets, forgetting momentarily that it’s not mine. My hand stalls in the pouch as it touches something unexpected. I pull it out. A cigarette pack. Seb – a smoker? He never used to be. I tap out a cigarette and seconds later I am inhaling smoke, relief flooding every nerve. It’s been some time since I had a clean one.

From here the door to 42B is easy to see and I’ll know when anyone comes or goes. The light burns a soft, expensive glow behind the window blinds. I strain to detect motion behind the glass, but so far there’s only the odd shadow falling across the pane to indicate life. I wait, and feel the February light running away and in its place, the cold arriving. It is piercing, but I’ll wait here all night if I have to – for her sake. What was her name? Did he call something out as he put his ear to her lips? Chelle? My heart thuds over something but I am not sure what.