‘CheaperReaper.com. I only logged in once then I never went back. It’s gross,’ Vicki replied, chewing a nail. ‘RJ started asking me for details of the deaths I’d heard about at work. He wanted to know if I had access to any photos or pathologist reports. I told him I didn’t, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer and a few times he turned up at the drop-in centre to wait for me when he knew I had a break for lunch or was about to finish my shift. I had to pretend it was all normal, like we were still mates. I thought that maybe giving him the call yesterday might mean he’d leave me alone.’

‘That’s all?’ Tripp asked.

‘Yes, I know it’s bad and I’ll lose my job, but I had no idea what I was getting into. I’m such a fucking idiot.’

‘Do you know RJ’s address?’ Tripp asked.

‘No, but he’s got a car, a knackered old silver BMW. Thinks he’s God’s gift in it.’

‘Miss Rosach, I’m going to give you some names and I want you to tell us if you gave RJ information about any of these people, or if he asked you about them, or spoke about them. It’s very important, both for you and for us, that your answers are accurate. Do you understand me?’ Ava asked.

‘Sure,’ she whispered.

‘Jon Moffat,’ she began.

Vicki shook her head.

‘Fenella Hawksmith.’

‘Sorry, isn’t she the woman who …’ The lawyer suddenly sounded more interested.

Ava shut him up with a single piercing look.

‘Osaki Shozo,’ she finished.

Vicki actually looked relieved.

‘Oh yeah, I remember that one,’ she said as if she was finally about to be told well done.

‘Remember him?’ Ava asked.

‘He came to the drop-in centre when I was working. Different to most people who came in. Quite calm and direct. I thought he was a bit freaky, to be honest.’

‘Did you give his details to RJ?’

‘No, I lied and said I knew nothing about him. He was being really pushy by then, asking me things right outside the office where other people could hear. I knew better than to get myself in that sort of trouble.’

‘If you said you knew nothing about Mr Shozo, how did RJ come to ask you about him?’ Tripp asked.

‘He saw him,’ Vicki said. ‘One of the days when he came to meet me at work that Shozo bloke was coming out the same time RJ turned up. Why?’

Vicki looked at Tripp, then at Ava, and finally to her lawyer, who was already rubbing his hands over his eyes.

‘Do you not read any news at all or watch the TV, Vicki?’ Tripp asked, doing his best – and only just failing – to keep the incredulity from his voice.