‘We’ve been given some information about a gift you were given for your birthday,’ Jonah said. ‘A knife. Do you have it with you?’

Step looked from Jonah to Hanson, and then behind them to the second uniformed constable. And then he said, ‘The one Alex and the guys gave me? Sure. Come in.’

Jonah caught Hanson’s gaze as Step moved to let them in. She looked wary, which matched his feeling. He nodded to her, a silent agreement to be on their guard.

Step led them through the sitting-room door this time. Jonah remembered how he’d nearly taken them into this room during their last visit and then changed his mind.

They found themselves in a large space with exposed brickwork and bifold doors at the far end. The left-hand wall was mainly given over to a series of display cabinets, built around a big flat-screen TV.

The locked cabinets were all full of weaponry, though most of it was old-fashioned. Old muskets or fragments of them. Ceremonial swords. Daggers. And, at the far end, a much shinier collection of blades that looked to be new. It was no wonder, Jonah thought, that Step had hidden this from them on their first visit.

Step went straight to the far end and waited while Jonah and Hanson caught up. Jonah could feel the constable at his heels, and hoped he was on his guard. Their suspect was standing in front of a whole arsenal. But Step made no move to open the case.

‘It’s this,’ he said, gesturing.

And there, sitting neatly between two less elaborate hunting knives, sat what looked to be their murder weapon. Only this one was clean, unbloodied and gleaming.

33

Louise descended the stairs again, a little self-conscious in her very low-cut black dress. She dropped her rucksack down by her feet and tried to grin at April.

‘Great,’ April said. ‘You look much more like you again.’

‘I’m still me when I’m wearing a dressing gown,’ Louise countered.

‘No, we’re all slobs in a dressing gown,’ April argued. ‘This – this is the strong, mouthy, fun person I know. This is Louise.’

‘I don’t feel strong,’ Louise said. And then she pulled a face. ‘Sorry. I sound like a self-pitying idiot.’

‘That is exactly why we need to get you out of here.’ April gave her a grin that was full of mischief. ‘A change of scene is going to do you so much good. We can book you a massage, drink cocktails crazy early, and then party. OK?’

‘That sounds good,’ Louise agreed.

‘So you’re ready?’