Putting distance between himself and the farmhouse, Pete’s confidence that the police wouldn’t be able to find him grew. Neil was the only one who’d seen the car and if he had any sense, he’d probably have taken the van and got away from the farm himself.

Pete settled down to drive within the speed limit. Getting stopped for speeding was not in his plan. The forty-five-minute journey afforded him time to calm down and decide on his next move. He would go to another city. Perhaps the Stone boy would be lost in the wood for hours, each minute giving Pete a feeling of security – the boy might have seen him briefly but it wouldn’t take much to alter his appearance – a beard perhaps and glasses. Yes, he was home and dry on this one.

The incessant drizzle stopped by the time Pete reached the coast. Parking the car across the road from the block of apartments, he was restored to his usual upbeat self, assured of his ability to outwit the police and already considering where he’d like to go next.

Pete rang the buzzer on the entry system and heard his sister’s voice asking who was there.

‘It’s me, and I’ve got goodies for you!’ The door clicked open and Pete took the flight of stairs two at a time, his mood lightening with every step.

Joanne waited at the open door and stood back to allow her little brother inside. She was not in such a good mood. Pete looked around and saw that Joanne was packing up to leave.

‘What’s all this then?’ he asked. ‘I thought you were staying on a bit here. You said you liked it, didn’t you?’

‘I do, but the police have been round, so it’s no longer safe.’

‘Why the hell would they come to see you? You didn’t tell them anything, did you?’ Pete’s confidence was again being shaken.

Joanne flashed him an angry look. ‘Of course I didn’t tell them anything. I’m not stupid, you know!’

Pete put his arm around her shoulder and steered her to the sofa. ‘Come and sit down and we’ll talk about this. I’m sure there’s no need to hurry off immediately.’

She sighed and flopped down on one of her lovely cream sofas, her brother sat opposite.

‘Now, tell me why the police were here.’

‘It seems that Richard had spun his wife the wrong sort of lie when he said he was working in London. The clerk at his chambers told the police otherwise and he was forced to come clean and tell them about me.’

‘The bloody idiot! Did he ask you first?’