‘Surely the issue is that there’s no affordable provision here? It’s all high-end.’ I cast about for signs of vandalism. ‘Wait. That tag on your hoardings.’ I pointed at round letters sprayed in black aerosol. ‘Is LfA one of the groups opposed to the development?’

The foreman followed my arm line. ‘Too right.’ His face clouded over. ‘Nasty outfit they are too. If there’s one group involved with criminal activity, it’s them.’

Dan, 11.15 a.m.

Dan, 11.15 a.m.

On the drive over to Nicola Grant’s flat in Mile End, Dan replayed in his head the conversation he’d just had with Shen. Nilufar Ahmed had sacked Patrick Ryan because a youth lodged a complaint about him. When she investigated the complaint, her colleagues said Ryan had become aggressive with the youth, and there had been mention of drugs. She hadn’t cited the youth’s name as ‘John’ but she had said he was tall and thin. If this was Kenny’s brother John, it was evidence not just that they knew each other, but they’d had a serious falling out.

Nicola was in trackie dacks and a hoodie when Dan arrived, and had just got home. ‘I nipped into Waitrose after yoga.’ She had a couple of supermarket bags in her hands.

Dan followed her into the immaculate kitchen.

She plonked the shopping on a worktop and flicked the kettle on to boil.

‘I wanted to ask a few more questions about Patrick.’ Dan strained his ears for sounds of the girls. ‘Are the kids at school?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you know who Patrick got his drugs from?’

She let out a long sigh. ‘It wasn’t something he was open about, for obvious reasons, and he made sure the girls and I didn’t meet the people involved. Twice, though, I did. On one occasion, some dodgy bloke with a cut on his face turned up at our house. The other was when we were out, having a pub meal, and a man approached us.’

‘Someone came to the house?’

‘Yes. Ordinary guy. Dirty hair. Off his head and ranting, claiming that Patrick owed him money. That was all I could make out. Patrick was at work and I had no idea how the man got our address. I was terrified. The cut on his face was gushing with blood, and it looked like he’d been in a fight and had his face slashed. Luckily, Amanda was staying with a friend overnight.’ Nicola began unpacking the shopping. ‘I was furious that this man had come to our home. I have no idea who he was or whether Patrick really owed him money. When you get caught up in the drug world, you never know who is telling the truth, and unpleasant things can happen any time.’

From the harrowed expression on her face, Dan could see she was speaking from experience. ‘What happened?’