She hurried from the room with rifle in hand, scampering upstairs.

Torgau took Lucy’s warrant card from Ivana, studied it and placed it on the mantel. He regarded his captive with eyes that were deep, brown and strangely soulful. ‘I congratulate you, DC Clayburn. You’re the very first police officer ever to encroach on this sanctuary. I’m not sure that bringing you inside so quickly was the wisest course –’ he threw a quick glance at Ivana, who reddened slightly ‘– but I understand it was a taut moment, which required some sort of immediate response. It wasn’t totally unreasonable that Ivana, on learning who you were, took the action she did.’

Lucy said nothing.

‘Just getting close to us, though, is impressive,’ he added. ‘Either you’re remarkably adept at your job. Or you’ve been incredibly lucky. Or unlucky, depending on your viewpoint.’

He possessed a Manchester accent, but it was refined, as if he’d spent much of his life working to modify it. He also spoke in leisurely, casual fashion, as if he had plenty of time on his hands. He might not be panicking, but she’d have expected greater urgency than this.

‘Naturally, my curiosity is piqued,’ he said. ‘Which means that I want to know all about you.’

Ivana left the room and returned with another dining chair, which she handed to him. He placed it in front of Lucy and sat down. Again, there was no air of haste.

‘You already know everything there is,’ Lucy replied. ‘I’m DC Clayburn from Crowley CID.’

He ignored that. ‘Such as how you came to be here … at my house.’

‘I obviously can’t tell you that.’

‘How unfortunate.’

‘Mr Torgau, you do realise that abducting a police officer means hefty prison time?’

‘Oh, I’m in no doubt.’ He seemed saddened by that prospect. ‘Which is why you should be in no doubt that when I ask you questions, I’m serious about wanting answers.’

‘Then you’re going to be seriously disappointed.’

He sighed and looked at his daughter, who approached the hearth, bent down and, throwing a switch, brought the real-flame gas fire to life. Lucy felt a gush of heat. The girl took a blackened fire poker from a hook and inserted it into the flames.

‘You look worried, DC Clayburn,’ Torgau said.

Lucy glared at him. ‘You’re getting yourself into so much trouble here.’

He seemed intrigued. ‘Is it possible, I wonder, that you really don’t know who you’re talking to? That you really have no idea what you’ve stumbled across?’ He paused. ‘I’ll tell you what, I’m going to play a little game with you. I tell you a bit about myself, and then you tell me a bit about yourself. Yes?’

Lucy glanced at the poker again, its blackened tip still resting in the flames. Sweat was gathering on her brow.