I called Ellie three more times, never leaving a message, but hoping she would answer, then went over all my outstanding freelance invoices, tallying up the money that would eventually reach my bank account, when I had a chance to get it. I was still too scared to go to the bank, even an ATM, just in case Ellie hadn’t told Davis and he was somehow able to access my activity, but as soon as I left town, I would cut back through the city. The bank would be my first stop. There was a few thousand in there, and a couple of the invoices would be direct deposited soon. Not loads, but better than nothing. If Davis somehow saw the withdrawal, he still wouldn’t know where I actually was.

When there was little left to do, when I’d checked the items beneath the bed again and made sure every window was locked tightly shut, I grabbed a change of clothes, leashed Dusty up, and headed to Vera’s.

Her chimney was smoking, puffing along like an out-of-breath runner, a sure sign she was home, and I found myself wondering who would chop wood now when she ran out.

She looked even worse than she had yesterday, her hair limp and greasy, eyes ringed as if she hadn’t slept in a decade. She led me into the living room and took a seat. ‘You went to the police station today,’ she said.

‘Yes.’

A nervous quiet stretched between us, unusual and foreign, John’s absence heavy, almost clinging to the scent of cigarette smoke in the air. ‘What did they ask you?’ Vera said.

‘I don’t want to upset you.’

Her back straightened. ‘I’m already upset, Lucy. You don’t need to protect me. What is it?’

I paused, picking at the cuticle of my thumb.

‘God, just say it!’

She wasn’t supposed to yell – not at me. But I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was just one of those microscopic changes, like chopped wood, that seemed small but somehow meant everything.

‘They asked about that girl – Claire?’

Vera nodded.

‘They think it was true. Everything they asked was about whether John was unfaithful.’

Vera didn’t say a word, only released a breath through her nose. After a beat, she let out a cold, mirthless laugh. ‘So the police are chasing those rumors, too? That’s what they wanted to talk to you about? It figures.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Remember what you said to me?’ Vera said, crossing her arms. ‘You teased me about not having watched enough movies.’

I shook my head. ‘I don’t follow.’

‘The wife,’ she said. ‘It’s always the wife … right?’

‘Yeah, but –’