‘You’re actually going in there alone?’ Sister Cassie appeared to have got on top of her DTs. She still looked pale but was steadier now and seemed to be concerned for Lucy rather than herself.

‘I wasn’t going to,’ Lucy admitted.

And that was the honest truth. For all her bravado about searching the place solo, she’d only been intending to have a quick poke around the exterior, to see if there was any sign that she was on the right track. The vandalised gate on its own would maybe have sufficed, but all she’d have done then was go looking for a phone to call Priya Nehwal.

Unfortunately, there was no time for that now.

‘But it seems that someone else has got here ahead of us,’ she said. ‘One of our less experienced officers. Looks like she found the cut chain and decided to have a sniff around. So I’ve got to go in too.’

‘Don’t you need a warrant for that? The place is in private ownership.’

‘Not if I think there’s someone in danger here.’

‘Your officer is in danger?’ If it was possible, the nun paled even more than earlier. ‘You think these two horrible people are here now?’

‘I don’t know, okay?’ Lucy said. ‘But I have to check. Now listen … Sister, can you drive?’

‘Drive?’ Sister Cassie was taken aback. ‘Well … yes, I used to drive. When I was a teacher, I had access to a car. I haven’t done it for years, mind.’

‘I’m sure you won’t have forgotten everything.’

‘What do you want me to do?’

‘Nothing. Except get away from here quickly, if you need to. Which is why I’m leaving the key in the ignition. Now listen …’ Lucy regarded her intently. ‘I’m trusting that you’re not going to steal my car and go off to try and score some more smack.’

The ex-nun looked exasperated. ‘My dear child …’

‘I mean it, Sister. You do that, and you’ll be stealing a police vehicle, as well as obstructing a murder enquiry. It’ll be the big house, for sure.’

‘My child … do you really think I’d maroon you here? I’ve just said that I don’t think you should be going in there alone.’

‘And like I’ve said –’ Lucy was already walking ‘– I’ve got no choice now.’

‘Those buildings are too big!’ the nun called after her. ‘Plus, they’re old and probably dangerous.’

But Lucy had already gone, sidling through the gap between the gates, and pressing into the darkness.

Chapter 44