‘A sense of regret towards his family in Japan, of having let them down. There were issues within his marriage that he didn’t feel equipped to deal with. If I had to sum up the real problem, it was that Mr Shozo wasn’t at all prepared for conflict, to the point where he was letting himself be treated very badly. I should add that I’ve only heard one side of the story – I obviously had no contact with Mrs Shozo – but Osaki seemed genuine and he wasn’t dramatising more than was necessary. He didn’t seem to want either sympathy or support. Just facts and a sounding board. Like I said, it was a session that I felt was unusual in nature.’

‘I appreciate you letting me know,’ Ava said. ‘We’re in the process of trying to reconstruct Mr Shozo’s final few days and that information fills in a blank.’

‘You don’t think, so soon after Stephen Berry’s death … is it possible they’re linked? I appreciate you probably can’t tell me much, but I had this sick feeling this morning, as soon as I heard the name. That’s two people the agency have helped in a short period and now they’re both …’

Ava let the pause do its work as she considered how to reply.

‘We’re not sure how or why Stephen Berry died, Mr Maclure. The two deaths are likely unrelated, although I can see how it would be troubling and upsetting for you. May I ask, who allocates the cases to you as counsellors?’

‘At the office, it’s a question of a walk-in being met at the door and presented to the next available counsellor. There are four of us there every day, two doing outside visits and two others off duty. If more than one of us is free, whoever does the meet-and-greet makes an ad hoc decision. Sometimes if it’s a female patient, she’ll specifically request a woman counsellor, so there are some variables. With a phone-in situation, a suicide attempt in progress, it’s about whoever’s geographically closest and able to attend. Very much up to fate and who happens to have their mobile on.’

‘That’s helpful, thank you. Could I ask, does the name Fenella Hawksmith mean anything to you?’

‘I’m afraid not, and it’s one that would stand out. That’s the woman who was found dead recently in the city, right?’ Maclure leaned forwards, head resting on his upturned palms, elbows on his knees.

‘It is. I wonder if we could send an officer over to check your walk-in records?’ Ava asked. Not that she needed permission, but it was always better to operate with goodwill than court orders.