“Yes,” said Patrick, looking at Harper, who knew that Natasha had never worked at Strategy Outsource Marketing, because she’d visited the office on the way to the unit and discovered that none of them knew who this person was. The receptionist identified her as someone who “sometimes hangs around outside waiting for Patrick,” but wouldn’t be drawn on what she made of the arrangement.

“I knew it,” said Patrick. “She’s out to get me. Of course she’d deny it, if it means there’ll be a trial and I’ll have to face her in court.”

“Why would she be out to get you?” said Lauren.

“She’s mad. You saw that rat thing she sent, not even knocking on the door, just leaving it on the doorstep. The girl’s a nut.”

The nurse in the corner cleared her throat pointedly. “Sorry,” said Patrick. “She’s mentally … challenged.”

Harper said, “What’s this rat thing? Do you still have it?”

“No,” said Patrick, “it was a really tasteless little ornament. I threw it in the bin. I don’t know what she meant by sending it, but it wasn’t funny.”

“But Patrick,” said Lauren, “what did you do to her?”

An infinitesimal pause, then, “Nothing. She’s just obsessed with me.”

“Why?” said Lauren. “Why is she obsessed with you?”

He looked at Harper then, and back at his wife.

“I … sacked her. I had no choice; she was useless, not at all right for the job. But since then, she won’t leave me alone.”

The most convincing lies, thought Harper, are the ones that are almost true; for sacked, read: dumped.

Harper said, “Did she send you any text messages, or emails?”

“Yes. Hundreds. I deleted them.”

Harper said, “That’s another reason I came. I’m afraid I need to seize your phone. Don’t worry, you’ll get it back once it’s been analysed.”

“My phone?” said Patrick. “I don’t have it. It’s with reception.”

“I know. I can get it on the way out.”

“But I just told you, I deleted everything anyway.”

“We have people who can recover all sorts of things from phones, Mr Tranter.” She watched as his face paled by a couple of shades.

“Oh,” he said, and then swallowed hard. “Good.”

“You never said anything,” said Lauren to Patrick. “If you were being stalked, you should have told me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you. I thought if I ignored her, she might eventually go away. I’m so sorry. I feel like this whole thing’s my fault. For having her sacked. For hiring her in the first place.”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself,” said Lauren. “I believe her.”

There was a silence. Harper watched the couple with interest.

“You what?” said Patrick.