Odd, she thinks. But it’s more than odd. It’s downright worrying. And the main thought that runs through her head is: they know. They know about her and Jonathan.

When they found the hidden camera at the Millers’, Freya’s first thought went to the unauthorised, very illegal visit to the house. That would have been captured on camera. But once the techies confirmed the feed went out remotely, probably to the very laptop she had concealed at her own home, she was reassured. But perhaps it went somewhere else.

She doesn’t have to wait long to find out. An hour later, she stands outside the DCI’s office. She’s barely been here throughout her career, and now twice in a week. Keep your mouth shut, she remembers Butler saying last time, and she bears this in mind as Baker’s secretary ushers her in.

‘DC West,’ Baker says, once she’s sitting in front of his desk. She nods. ‘I hear good things about you, and not just from Robin.’

‘Thank you, guv,’ she says, surprised her new boss has said anything complimentary in the small time that they’ve been working together. ‘Butler’s happy with my work?’

‘Well, he hasn’t complained,’ Baker replies. ‘And that’s just as good where Robin’s concerned. I need you to do me a favour,’ he continues swiftly. He rests his hands, palms down, on the file in front of him. ‘But it needs to be between you and I, West. No one else.’

‘Of course, guv.’

He hands her the file; she looks at him quizzically. She opens it.

‘This is the man that killed Butler’s sister,’ she says quietly. She glances up at Baker, and he nods.

‘I need you to look into it for me.’

‘But… but…’ she begins.

‘The coroner wants us to do some digging, on the quiet.’

‘But this was an RTA.’

‘That’s what we believed, yes.’

‘What we believed?’

Baker sighs. ‘We need to be sure. It would be embarrassing if the coroner has to reverse his decision, so he doesn’t want to reopen the inquest unless we find good reason.’

‘But…’ Freya pulls herself together at last. ‘I can’t do this. I report to DS Butler.’

‘You’ve only worked for him for the past week or so, and he can do without you for a few days. Everyone else is stretched to capacity, West. You’re the only one vaguely free.’

‘But what about the Jonathan Miller case?’

‘That can keep.’ Baker slumps back on his chair; his face is grim. ‘Listen, Freya, you know I don’t hold much stock in this murder theory of yours, but if anyone can find something, Butler can.’

‘But you don’t want me to tell him about this?’