Sally’s expression hardened. ‘Is that it, then? Are you going to piss off and leave me alone?’

Kesey moved to the very edge of her seat, leaning forward. ‘I’m not ready to give up on you quite yet.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘You’re in control. I won’t try to force you into anything you don’t want to do. You’ve had more than enough of that in your life. But that doesn’t mean I can’t help you. I can ask the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute Pearson without the need for you to appear in court. There should be more than enough evidence for a GBH charge. I can’t promise you it would be successful, but there’s an excellent chance, even without your direct involvement. Pearson may even plead guilty when his lawyer sees the full weight of evidence. The photographs alone would be more than enough to persuade most juries to reach a guilty verdict.’

Sally’s face took on an ugly, twisted sneer as she shook her head. ‘No, not a chance, don’t even think about it. The bastard would make me drop the charges. And I would too. I’d do it in a heartbeat. Look at the state of me. It’s too dangerous. I can’t take the risk.’

The detective took a deep breath, inhaling through her nose and then slowly exhaling from her mouth for a silent count of three. ‘You’re not grasping what I’m telling you. I understand everything you’ve said, honestly, I do. I’m sure I’d feel much the same in your place. But putting pressure on you to drop the case wouldn’t help Pearson at all. I can talk to the prosecuting lawyers later today. If they go for it, I can tell him he’s being taken to court despite your wishes to the contrary. I’d make it crystal clear that it’s totally beyond your control. That you’ve got no say in his being prosecuted, none whatsoever. And I’d do all I could to get him remanded in custody. I think it’s highly likely I’d succeed given his history of violence. He could be safely banged up in the remand wing at Swansea Prison by tomorrow at the latest. How does that sound?’

Sally wiped away a tear, nodding. There was the hint of a smile on her face but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it. Harris was full of crap. One empty promise after another. Maybe you’re the same.’

‘I’m sorry if he let you down.’

‘If? Fucking if! I don’t think there’s much doubt about it, is there?’

‘I’ll do everything I can to change your situation for the better, that’s a promise. You have my word, one woman to another.’

‘I don’t want you coming here again.’

Kesey’s disappointment was almost palpable. She’d really thought she was winning. ‘Oh, come on, Sally, you could be lying there worrying unnecessarily if I don’t keep you informed. I can keep in touch by phone if you’d prefer.’