There is only silence, though I can tell someone is at the other end of the line, listening. Those who have the number can be counted on one hand. The care home, my GP’s practice, the agency who manage my rented flat, work. Maxine is likely to have the number, too, though I never gave it to her. For an instant, I wonder if it is her, but why would she call when she is on the other side of the door? She will either come out, or she will completely ignore me.

I don’t know what makes me say his name. Probably the knowledge that he has caught up with me. Whatever mysterious computations are processing through my brain, I am left with a one-word question. ‘Zac?’ The line goes dead.

There is a change in the air, and I glance behind me.

‘Hello, Holly.’ She is wearing beetle-blue cropped leggings and a loose black sweatshirt, and carrying a gym bag. ‘There’s no point my calling you Helen here, is there, when there is no one around to hear? Unless you’d prefer me to?’

I stand. ‘Are you worried I found you? It was easy, in case you were wondering.’

She looks faintly amused, as far as Maxine ever allows herself any visible expression. All at once, I realise she must have wanted me to follow her after she showed me Jane’s body. That is why I didn’t miss her that day, despite my worry that I was too late.

Does she know I was hiding in the graveyard? And that I saw her talking to Martin? Even if she does, she may not realise that I was able to overhear snatches of their conversation, including Frederick Veliko’s name. I certainly won’t be telling her now.

‘I saw your children this morning. They’re beautiful.’

‘I’m good with that. You’d only ever protect and help a child.’

I swallow hard. I start to say, ‘Don’t . . .’

She sighs. I’m not sure I have seen her sigh before. ‘Why did you follow me on Tuesday, Holly?’

‘Why did you want me to?’

‘I wanted you invested in what happened to Jane. But you . . . what were you hoping to achieve? What were your thoughts about that?’

‘I wanted to see what you did next. What you were doing for her.’

‘I thought as much. By the way, Zac’s Missing Persons ad has been removed.’

I stand, not rushing, and cross my arms. ‘You know for a fact he’s here. You know for a fact he’s found me – I just got a silent call from a withheld number that was probably him. You know for a fact he killed Jane. But he’s still running around, throwing stones at people’s heads.’

‘He’s a suspect in a murder. I can promise you he’s not roaming free, unwatched.’