Ralf drove slowly past, keeping an eye out for Mikey’s BMW. He had no idea which entrance Naomi used. After circling the complex three times, he pulled over. Not a BMW to be seen.

Ralf ran his finger over the inside of his steering wheel. Thought carefully.

What was it that creep had said about Naomi?

I wouldn’t get too attached to that bitch of his either. She’s first on my list.

Ralf was afraid that it was more than just bluster. Brian had told him enough stories about Mikey. That guy was genuinely dangerous. A total lunatic.

He grabbed his phone and sent a message to Naomi:

What time do you get out? I’ll pick you up. Wait inside until I get there.

7

7

There was already a sealed container on one of the trolleys. Helen lifted it. The contents were solid and liquid at the same time. They sloshed around a little. It was heavy too—about the same as her packages from the day before.

She quickly placed an empty container next to it and took the blanket out of her shopping bag. Peered inside. She could clearly see the outline of the biggest package. Too clearly. As long as she kept telling herself that it was just a frozen package, she could cope with this. She had to switch off her emotions, that was all. And yet her hands hovered motionless over the bag. Her breath caught.

What if the staff at the waste-processing company gave the containers a shake, just like she had done, and tried to guess what was inside based on the feel, the sound, and the weight? And what if this container stood out from the rest because its contents not only slid from side to side but rolled a little too? Just enough to raise a few questions?

She took a deep breath and sprang into action, wrapping the blanket around the package before placing it in the container. It would move around less that way. She pushed the lid down until she heard a loud click and then grabbed a new container. The remaining packages disappeared inside it. Helen folded up her shopping bag, stuck it under her arm, and walked out of the waste room without looking back.

There was nobody in the hall.

8

8

Naomi’s classmates waved to her as they trundled off on their bikes and scooters. She waved back but then scanned her surroundings anxiously. Ralf opened the trunk and took her bike from her.

“He isn’t here,” he said.

The bike had an inconveniently large handlebar that scraped against the interior of his car. Ralf could almost feel it, as though somebody were scratching a nail over his skin. The trunk wouldn’t close properly once the bike was inside, so he tied it down with a length of rope.

“Who is it?” she asked.

He shook his head. Said nothing.

“Someone you know?”