Jack listened intently. Not to the words Charlotte said, but to the audible quiver in her voice. She was flustered and he wanted to know why, so today was exactly the right day to talk to her. ‘Charlotte, I’m happy to talk here, if that suits you better, but we will be talking today. Because I know we can help each other.’

There was a flicker of fear in Charlotte’s eyes. She quickly turned away, but she knew that Jack had seen it. She started talking nineteen to the dozen about needing to ride Judas’s new shoes in once the farrier had gone, and Jack now knew that she was scared and had no idea how to get herself back to a safe place. She was stuck and needed his help, and although she would not see it as help, Jack did the only thing he could under the circumstances: ‘Charlotte Miles, I’m arresting you for obstructing police enquiries.’ By the time Jack had recited her rights, Charlotte was shaking and sobbing.

*

Jack didn’t handcuff her. In the car, he sat in the back with her and, at the station, he escorted her towards the purposely scary back cage that led into the processing area. They were met by Bevan, who was given clear instructions that Charlotte wasn’t to be left alone. Jack wanted Charlotte to fully experience the frightening truth of what it was like to be in police custody, and he wanted her to look to himself and Bevan for comfort. Jack wanted Charlotte to need him.

‘DC Bevan will stay with you until you’re processed,’ he told her gently. ‘And then she’ll take you to the interview room.’

As Charlotte was led away, Mason nodded his appreciation of Jack’s psychological tactics. ‘You think you’re good at manipulating people, don’t you, Jack?’

‘I know I am,’ Jack said with a straight face, and Mason laughed.

‘What’s funny?’ Mason turned to see Gifford standing behind him.

Mason shook his head. ‘Nothing.’

Gifford grunted, nodding towards the Vauxhall Corsa. ‘You got the keys to that shit-heap? You could come with me and meet Mr Barrowman. He’s a big player round here, so I want to keep him on-side.’

Mason, to his own surprise and certainly to Gifford’s, declined, saying that he wanted to sit in on Jack’s interview with Charlotte.

‘Fuck’s sake, Mason, she’s been interviewed! Twice! He’s going over well-trodden ground, whilst the rest of us are pushing ahead. Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

Gifford got into the hire car and slammed the door.