He grimaced. ‘I know what you mean. I can’t figure out how everything links up. I mean, now that we’ve found out about the grooming, at least we have a motive for Leon killing Steve, and if he did, then it makes sense that we found his blood at the crime scene. Maybe Forest was right, Leon might have discovered who “Joe” really was, taken Steve’s knife, and cut himself while he was killing his teacher. He must not have realised he was hurt, or he wouldn’t have left the knife there. It feels like the most likely scenario right now. But what’s going on with these kids? What do they know that they’re not telling us?’ He gave me a look of genuine confusion.

‘And who did that charm belong to?’ I added, reminding him of the small letter C that we’d found in the pavilion. ‘Was someone else in there with Leon: Courtney or Cassie? And was he hiding there before he killed Steve, lying in wait, or did he break in afterwards for somewhere to hide?’

Singh made a frustrated noise at the back of his throat. ‘I don’t know. Something still feels wrong to me. We’re missing something, I can tell.’

We sat in silence for a moment before I got out of the car.

‘You’ll figure it out,’ I told him.

‘I hope so,’ he replied with a sigh. ‘I’m worried that if we don’t find the answers soon, it’ll be too late for Leon.’

Ten hours before the murder

Cassie glanced over at Leon sitting on the sofa next to her. Should she tell him the truth now? Bradley had said Leon was making a mistake, and she didn’t know what to do. What would her special friend want her to do?

Come with me, she signed to him. I need to tell you something.

Without waiting to see if he was following her, she got up and went to the room she was sharing with Courtney. Inside, she sat on her bed and waited for Leon.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Leon didn’t sit down, but stood, palms spread.

What? You going to explain why you’ve been reading my messages?

I haven’t been reading your messages.

Bullshit! Leon kicked the corner of her bed and she shrank back.

I haven’t, I promise, she insisted. There’s something I need to tell you. Something about Joe.

For fuck’s sake, not you as well? I’ve had enough of this from Bradley.

He turned to leave, but Cassie stood up and grabbed his arm. You have to listen to me. Stop talking to me like I’m stupid. I know things that you don’t know. I know who Joe is.