That settled it. With the exception of Redwood, the press had been told next to nothing.

‘Then I guess we’re in for a wait,’ Sarah said, once again smiling as she spoke.

The charm offensive had had the desired effect. Sarah was a famous face – certainly in reporting circles – and celebrity came with expectations. People presumed aloofness and arrogance. When they instead found something more positive – more likeable – they were easily converted.

Sarah held out her right hand in the direction of the group’s leader.

‘By the way, I didn’t catch your name. Mine’s Sarah.’

Ten minutes passed, full of small talk and big tales. Typical of when reporters get together with nothing to do but wait. A pleasant way to pass the time, it got them through one of the downsides of the job.

Sarah was laughing hard at a joke that did not deserve it when something caught her eye. It was activity, close to the four outside broadcast vans parked on Mill Lane.

Her gaze slowly focused on her own ITN vehicle, which sat furthest back of the four vans. She watched as it began to reverse, creating a gap that widened as a second van – marked up as Anglian Regional News – reversed in the opposite direction.

The space created was large enough for a vehicle to access the police cordon. Which Sarah now realised was exactly as intended. A convoy of three – two cars and a van – drove towards the police tape. One word from the driver of the first car and the tape was lifted. The three vehicles drove under. Once through they parked in the spaces available.

Sarah watched as Joelle Levy stepped out of the first car. She was its only occupant. Levy looked around. She seemed to note the Detective Inspector from Suffolk’s own MIT. A man in his early fifties, balding and hiding it badly. Levy acknowledged him with a wave then glanced away before he could return the gesture. She seemed to be looking for something. For someone.

Finally her gaze fell on the press pack.

Sarah’s eyes met with Levy’s. The DCI gestured with her head, which Sarah took as an indication to move away from the other reporters. Further along the cordon. Sarah did as indicated. Levy did the same.

‘Thanks again for the tip,’ Levy said, once they were close enough to speak quietly.

Levy’s voice was low. The two women were yards from anyone else but still Levy was being careful. She indicated the local press.

‘You know any of them?’

‘For the past five minutes I do.’

‘Long enough to tell me how compromised my case is?’

‘They don’t know any details. Aside from working out that it’s a bad one.’

‘What about you? Are you going to report what you told me over the phone?’

‘Like you said yesterday. If I play ball you’ll thank me later, right?’

Levy smiled and nodded her head. It was all Sarah needed.