‘On what you’ve told me, I would say no. Psychologists do have an obligation to report clients to the authorities if there is a credible risk of harm to a patient or anyone else. Credible being the operative word. Drinking whisky and having big feet isn’t proof. Likewise driving the most common car on the road. None of this is entirely credible even if you yourself are convinced. You can speak in general terms to a cop you know and trust, seek advice from them but you cannot in any way identify the client unless you have something concrete.’

After the call, I sit at my desk and dial the cop’s number.

‘Simms,’ he answers.

‘Hi it’s Margot Scott here,’ I say, feeling a little uncertain.

‘Yes, hi Margot.’

‘I’m in a bit of a situation.’

I hear a door close. ‘Go on.’

‘Well I don’t know how to say this, but I think I have a suspect for the arson.’

‘Right, when you say you have a suspect—’

‘Not with me – I mean I can’t really say who it is.’

‘A client then?’ I wince. ‘What makes you think this individual is involved?’

‘Well, I was followed by the same make and colour car the night it happened that this person drives. And this person drinks the brand of whisky that was used for the Molotov cocktail. Plus their work.’

‘What does he do?’

‘Well I didn’t say it was a he and I can’t actually say what they do. That would be a breach of confidentiality.’

‘Right, well, unless he sets fire for a living I don’t know how that would be relevant.’ I realise that Simms is convinced it was a man, which suggests they’ve made some progress on the case, or maybe it’s the simple fact of the size-twelve boot prints.

‘He has access to loads of obscene images like the one that was left behind, that’s all I can say.’

‘A moderator of some sort?’

I have a sinking feeling. This conversation isn’t going how I thought. I just wanted advice. ‘I can’t say yes.’

‘But it’s a yes, I get it. It’s compelling, but totally circumstantial.’

‘Look, I’m just worried about him. I can’t give you any more information. I just want advice.’

He clears his throat. ‘Well I understand you’re in a tough spot, but we are working hard, making progress. Continue to be vigilant and I’ll get in touch with you as soon as we have anything at all. You’ll likely see suspicious things everywhere you look; that’s what happens after crimes. You can feel paranoid and shaken up. It might be worth getting therapy yourself and leaving the investigating up to us.’