‘You don’t know?’

‘Not for sure, no.’

‘So, who took it?’

‘A mate of mine.’

‘When?’

McFaul shakes his head. He wants to know what all this is about. Bullivant studies him for a moment, then produces a small pad.

‘His name? This mate of yours?’

I’m looking at a stand-off. I can see it in McFaul’s face. No way is he going to oblige these two strangers who have walked into his life.

Bullivant is looking round again. Then he sniffs.

‘Is that bleach I can smell?’

‘Yeah.’

‘You’ve been cleaning up? Giving the place a seeing-to?’

‘Yeah.’

‘All of it? Everywhere?’

‘Yeah.’

‘You mind if I take a look?’

‘Help yourself.’

Bullivant leaves the room. It clearly falls to Brett to clear up behind this implacable boss of his, and he’s still doing his best to update McFaul on the status of the current search for Christianne when Bullivant reappears.

‘A MacBook and a laptop in the bedroom.’ He’s looking at Brett. ‘Bank statements in the top drawer of the same desk.’ He turns to McFaul. ‘Your phone?’

‘It’s in the kitchen.’

‘I meant your mobile.’

‘I haven’t got one.’

‘You haven’t got a mobile?’

‘Never. Can’t stand the things. But you guys know that. I told you last time you were here.’

‘It’s true, boss.’ This from Brett. ‘It’s in the log. Neither party had phones.’

Bullivant nods. First I sense incredulity, then disbelief, now disappointment. And all this with barely a flicker of visible emotion. Dead eyes. An upper lip thin enough to be virtually invisible. A mask instead of a face. This man is beginning to frighten me.

‘That MacBook you mentioned?’ I say lightly. ‘I think it’s probably mine.’

‘So, what’s it doing here?’

‘I’m taking a look at it,’ McFaul grunts. ‘Helping her out. It’s a neighbourly thing.’

‘You live next door?’ Bullivant’s eyes haven’t left my face.

‘I’m staying there. With a friend of mine.’

‘The letter, boss,’ Brett again. ‘The one we seized last time. Enora’s was the name on the envelope.’

‘And that’s you? You’re Enora Andressen?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Excellent.’ The hint of a smile at last. ‘In that case we’ll need to talk to both of you.’

At this point, McFaul kicks off. He demands to know what’s going on, and when Bullivant invites him back to the police station in Exmouth, he shakes his head. Over the last couple of days, he’s had a thousand conversations. He’s very happy to help but there’s nothing more to be said. His partner has gone. Her decision. End of.