Jack was going to ask how on earth De Voe knew about the last-minute addition of a charity buffet, but he didn’t have to; Charlotte was clearly guilt-ridden at having innocently let it slip during their phone call. This sort of rookie mistake was exactly why Jack had worked so hard to keep Charlotte out of the police station, out of Lee’s hands and away from the more important details of the case. Jack could only imagine what she would have told De Voe if Lee had brought her in and used her like he wanted to.

‘Have I ruined it all? You won’t be ready for him, will you? Annie and I are leaving. I can’t stay, DS Warr. I’ve told her it’s a holiday, but I can’t bring her back. I can’t be here when the lives of five more dear friends are ruined by . . . Oh God, the intrusion and the violation . . . I can’t live with myself – and, if Annie finds out, she won’t be able to live with me either. And she’s no good on her own. This will kill her. Please don’t arrest me. Please let me go now, before . . .’

Jack placed his hands firmly on Charlotte’s shoulders and held her steady, as her body began shaking violently. She was in absolute turmoil.

‘Charlotte, listen to me. Are you listening?’ Jack then made her a promise that he knew was not his to make. ‘The burglary at the Fullworths’ house will disappear.’ As Jack looked into Charlotte’s shocked eyes, he knew that she believed every word he was saying. ‘I’m going to tell that to one other person, OK? I’m going to tell DCI Simon Ridley who you spoke to on the phone the other day. I trust him with my life, so I certainly trust him with yours. Don’t leave. If you leave, it’ll tip De Voe off and he’ll disappear. Remember what I said to you: this is your chance for redemption. I can protect you. From De Voe, from the law. I can. Charlotte, don’t throw everything away just because you’re scared. You can’t live without redemption. I know you can’t.’ Jack then let go of Charlotte and put his hands by his sides. ‘But if you decide to run, I won’t stop you.’

From the darkness of the treeline, Lee watched. He spat the unlit cigarette from his mouth, revealing the scowl behind it. His lips were pencil thin, pursed into a tight line that held his anger at bay. For now. He was too far away to hear anything that had been said, but the simple fact that Jack was out here, privately meeting their informant behind everyone else’s back, was enough to make his blood boil.