That must be what happened, she insisted. This wasn’t Steve. He definitely wasn’t that sort of person.

Tears shone in her eyes as she signed this, and I wondered if she was more concerned about posthumous damage to Steve’s reputation or damage to her own if people found out she’d been dating a sex offender with a preference for teenage boys.

‘Are you sure you weren’t aware of this before yesterday?’ Singh asked, a cold note in his voice. His eyes narrowed, and I knew that meant he was on to something.

What do you mean? Jess asked, blinking rapidly.

‘When we were looking into Steve Wilkinson’s computer account activity, we found that someone had used his log-in details on Friday evening, around eight o’clock. At that time, Steve was already at Normanby Hall.’

There was a long pause.

And you think that was me?

‘Apart from the residential staff, yours was the only other computer account accessed that evening, so we know you were in school.’

Another long pause, then her shoulders sagged. Okay, it was me. But I had no idea about these messages to Leon.

‘Why were you using his account, then?’ Singh asked, his face impassive.

Jess chewed her lip for a moment before answering. I was looking at some of the budget data. I wanted to take some of the students to a disability sports competition in Bristol, but it would have required an overnight stay. Steve said we couldn’t afford it. I thought I could have a look at the data and find a way of saving some money in another area, so that we could go on the trip.

It sounded like a plausible explanation, though a bit altruistic for the Jess Anna had described to me. Would she really want to risk getting in trouble just so that some kids could go on a school trip? What was in it for her?

Singh didn’t seem completely convinced either. ‘How did you get his log-in details?’

Jess paused before she replied. He gave me his password.

‘Really? He was your boyfriend, but he was also your boss. Why would he risk compromising his own privacy?’

He trusted me. Jess did her best to outstare Singh, but after an uncomfortable few seconds she looked away.

Without any further questions, Singh let Jess go back to her teaching. He sat back and sighed, folding his arms.