‘Miss Edgely,’ Palmer greeted her warmly.

‘I just wanted to find out what’s going on.’ She chewed the sleeve of her jumper nervously while Elly and Palmer shared a concerned look.

‘I really can’t disclose details of an on-going case.’ He was half apologetic.

‘But, but…’ Tilly’s hands shook and her eyes pleaded.

‘Why don’t you come with me.’ Elly put her arm around Tilly’s broad shoulders, noticing how tall she was, and led her away from the people staring in reception. Palmer nodded gratefully and headed up the stairs.

‘We really can’t tell you much, I’m afraid,’ Elly said, guiding Tilly towards a blue nylon armchair.

‘Are they going to get me?’ She looked frightened and searched Elly’s face for comfort and answers.

‘Who?’ Elly asked softly.

‘The killer. Are they going to come after me too?’

‘Why would you think that?’ She did little to disguise her shock.

‘Two people now. Two.’ Tilly counted on her fingers. ‘Maybe I’m next.’

‘Listen.’ Elly reached over and put her hand on Tilly’s knee to stop it shaking. ‘We have no reason to believe you are in any danger, Miss Edgely. We’re doing everything we can to catch the person responsible.’

‘I don’t want to end up like Dennis,’ she sobbed. ‘I don’t want to die alone in the dark.’ She covered her eyes with the palms of her hands, trying to escape the visual memories that swirled around her head.

‘Has something happened that has led you to think you are a target?’

‘Two people.’ Tilly counted on her fingers again, her childlike vulnerability shining through.

‘It’s perfectly normal to be upset. You saw a horrible thing.’ Elly wished she was upstairs where the action was going on, rather than dealing with an emotionally fragile witness who was clearly on the cusp of nervous breakdown.

‘The news said it’s a serial killer,’ Tilly said in a whisper. ‘They could be after any of us.’

‘It’s true we are working on the assumption that the same killer is responsible for both murders.’ Elly couldn’t deny that. ‘But, at the moment, there is no reason for you to think you’re in any danger.’

‘We’re all in danger,’ she insisted.

Elly didn’t know what to say. She felt that Tilly would be better off having this conversation with a psychiatrist.

‘Do you have any plans for Christmas?’ She decided the only course of action was to change the subject.

‘I can’t leave. You won’t let me leave.’

‘Are you spending it with your family?’ Elly was exasperated.

‘They’re in Dorset. You told me I have to stay in Cambridge.’ Large tears rolled down her gaunt cheeks.