Once Betina’s Mercedes hit the M4, CCTV back at the church hall began to receive clearer footage of the car. Jack instructed Bjarne to share his own contact details with Gifford, so that Jack could take his mobile back in order to make a phone call.

Ridley was in one of four unmarked police cars near the westside junctions of the M25. He’d also been getting updates relayed directly to him from Gifford, and although it was currently looking as if the Merc might stay on the M4 all the way to the M25, Ridley certainly wasn’t committing all of his resources to that option until he knew for certain; there were simply too many opportunities for Betina to turn off and disappear. After their brief strategic catch-up, Jack swiftly changed the subject. ‘Do me a favour please, sir . . .’

But Ridley already knew what Jack was going to ask him.

‘DI Mason is in an induced coma. His skull’s fractured – well, shattered really; it’ll need a plate putting in. But he’s stable. They’ll keep him sedated until the swelling on the brain goes down, then they’ll be able to see what’s what. Bevan’s with him. She’s fine.’

*

From the doorway, Lee watched Mason being worked on in resus. Bevan was tucked into the corner, out of the way. An array of machines monitored Mason’s vital signs, one pushing air into his lungs and another keeping him hydrated. His body didn’t have to do anything except heal.

Lee’s anger was impossible to hide. This case had got away from him because he’d been distracted by stupid personality clashes. That was all Jack’s fault because . . . well, if it wasn’t, then it was his own fault and Lee couldn’t live with that. Mason almost dying could not be Lee’s fault.

As a nurse scurried into resus with a portable X-ray machine, Lee spotted Hearst coming down the corridor towards him.

In an instant, Lee was back in professional mode. ‘I’d better get back to the station,’ he said as she approached. Hearst put a firm hand on his shoulder. ‘I’m not here to drag you back. You stay as long as you need to.’

In truth, Lee didn’t want to stay any longer with Mason, because it just made him feel guilty. And angry. He wanted to get back to work. He shook his head.

‘Bevan’s got the bedside vigil thing pretty much covered. I’m sure he’d rather wake up to her face than mine.’