The man allowed the bat to swing down, giving his arms a rest. He looked Sam up and down once more.

‘Ain’t nobody here, son. Not for a few weeks, anyway.’ The man sighed with sadness and then extended his hand. ‘The name’s Leon.’

‘Jonathan,’ Sam lied, reaching out and shaking it firmly. Despite the man’s age, he had a solid grip. ‘Where is everyone?’

With another sigh, the man turned to the door.

‘What do you English boys drink again? Tea, isn’t it?’

‘Always.’

Leon chuckled and nodded for Sam to follow. As Leon stepped out of the apartment, Sam took a final look around the small apartment. Something told him the truth wasn’t going to be pretty, but he needed to find out. And right now, following Alex’s neighbour was his best bet.

* * *

As Leon fumbled around in his kitchen, Sam took a moment to cast his eye around the elderly gentleman’s apartment. Despite the austerity in the area and the general up-keep of the building itself, Sam was impressed by the décor. Leon clearly took pride in his home and the living room was a bright white, with a black trim around the skirting boards and windowsills. The shutters that crossed the window were open, bathing the room in a bright slash of sunlight and offering a view of the busy street below. A modest sofa was pushed against the far wall, underneath a large canvas of the New York skyline. Opposite, a large flat screen TV sat atop a neat stand, with rows of DVDs lined up beneath. Sam chuckled, as the dead technology was a sign that Leon wasn’t too keen on the modern age of streaming services.

To his left, a well-used chair sat, with the latest Lee Child novel on the table beside it, along with what must have been a treasured photo of Leon and his wife on their wedding day. Judging by the lack of women’s touch in the apartment, Sam felt a twinge of sadness for the man that she didn’t seem to be a part of his life anymore.

Without thinking, Sam had lifted the photo, admiring the look of pure love the two shared. It made him think of Lucy, the love they’d held for each other, and the possible life he could have had if things had been different. Jamie would have been nine years old now, most likely heavily invested in hobbies that would have kept Sam and Lucy on their toes.

Sam would have been a police officer.

Maybe their family would have grown some more? Lucy had always spoken of her desire for a daughter.

Sam shook his head, struck by how life can take a turn at any moment. Leon’s voice broke his train of thought.

‘That’s my Lizzy.’