He shrugged. We’ll find a way, I’m sure. So, what happened? Where have you been all day?

I looked over at Anna, who gave a shrug to indicate it hadn’t been her place to talk about it. Pulling out my own phone, I found one of the social media posts about Leon and showed it to Max. He scanned it and raised his eyebrows.

You were with the police? Oh, wow. But how did it happen?

They were staying in a cabin in the woods and when they got up this morning he’d gone.

So, he ran away? Max asked.

The police aren’t ruling anything out, I told him, deliberately avoiding going into any further detail.

Could someone have lured him out of the park? Anna asked.

I have no idea, I replied, dropping my head back onto the sofa. I’m going to the police station tomorrow morning, then they can brief me on what’s happening next.

Max put his arm around me and gave my shoulders a squeeze, and I felt myself sinking into him. I was tired and emotional; I just wanted to go to bed, but I felt like I needed to be alone tonight, at least until I made sense of this encounter with Mike. Now Max was here, though, I couldn’t exactly throw him out, and I found his solid presence reassuring.

On the way home, I’d once again considered telling Anna about finding Steve Wilkinson’s body, but then thought better of it. The police hadn’t released details yet, so I had to remain professional and keep it to myself. It would be hard to keep my emotions buried, though.

Are you working next weekend? Max asked me.

I have no idea, it depends on how long this case takes. It’s complicated, I added.

Okay. I wondered if you wanted to do something on Saturday.

Sure, if I’m not working.

Anna was still sitting on the floor, observing this conversation, then she shook her head, got up and walked out of the room.

Max frowned at me. What’s her problem?

Shit, I said. We’ve got plans next weekend, I’d completely forgotten.

I followed Anna through to the kitchen, where she was sitting at the table with her phone in her hand. She ignored me when I sat down opposite her, until I took her phone and made her look at me.

I’m sorry. I forgot.

Since her injury in February, Anna’s moods had sometimes been quite volatile, and I’d learnt that the best option to calm her down was to apologise, then talk it through afterwards. I sat there as she glared at me, until her shoulders sagged slightly and her face softened.

I’ve been looking forward to spending some time with you.

I know, and we will. I can see Max another time.