‘I know you’ve always been against our interfering in Jenny’s life, Mother, but we have been drawn right into it now. We must find out why Greaves is so obsessed that he will condone attempted murder, for that is what the attack on me was. That man wasn’t playing; he intended to kill, and I think we should try to find out if that’s what he intended for Jen. If he wants her dead for some bizarre reason, then we’d better find out quickly.’

‘We came to the same conclusion last night,’ John told him. ‘We feel the answer is in America, so I’ve already sent a message to Henry Eddison in Manhattan, explaining that we’ve found Eugenie Winford, and asking if he has any further information about the father.’

Matt suddenly felt drained. His family were dealing with everything, so he must try to relax. It was obvious that Jen was in danger, and he wanted to get back on his feet as soon as possible.

‘We’ll leave you to rest, son.’ His father stood up. ‘If we find out anything of importance, you will be told at once.’

‘Thanks.’ Matt managed to rouse himself enough to say goodbye. When he was alone again, his mind began to whirl. Was that monster Greaves trying to kill Jen because she had rejected him? It was impossible to believe that he would go to such violent lengths. Only someone who wasn’t right in the head would do that … He drifted off into a troubled sleep.

Hearing a sharp knock on the front door, Jenny went to answer it and found two policemen on the step, their bikes propped up against the house.

‘Miss Baker?’

She nodded.

‘We’d like to take your statement about the attack on you yesterday. I’m Sergeant Pegg and this is Constable Wilkins.’

‘You’d better come in.’ They were both big men and seemed to fill the small front room. ‘Please sit down. Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘No, thanks, miss.’ The sergeant took a notebook and pencil out of his pocket. ‘We’d like you to tell us exactly what happened.’

She told them all she could remember, though her recollection of some of it was rather hazy. But the terror was still vivid in her mind and she was shaking by the time she had finished. ‘What about Greaves? He should be punished as well.’

‘Ah, well, we was told by other witnesses that you said he was involved, but we do have a problem with that.’ The sergeant licked the end of his pencil, then wrote a few more words. ‘We’ve been to see the gentle-man and he denies having anything to do with it.’

Jenny snorted in disgust. ‘He would, but one of the men told me they’d been paid by Greaves to attack me.’