‘The girl offered to take off her hijab for security,’ said Farrington. ‘But Lorna said we wouldn’t want any trouble from the bleeding hearts who think they have a right to be covered.’

Vasquez shot Farrington a dark look, but Bish was unimpressed with all of them. ‘Can I see you in private?’ he asked the acting governor.

Cook dismissed the others and Bish waited until the door had closed behind them. ‘Gray’s lying. He let this happen and you’re protecting him. You’ve done Noor LeBrac a favour and that’s not going to look good for you.’

‘You have no idea what you’re talking about,’ she snapped. ‘Gray is merely backing his two officers. He wasn’t there when Lelouche came through with the kids. Farrington is less experienced and Lorna doesn’t even handle visits. It’s mayhem here in the mornings.’

Bish wasn’t buying any of it. ‘You’re lying too, for Noor LeBrac.’

‘I don’t give a damn about Noor LeBrac! As far as I’ve heard, there’s no love lost between her and Gray either. She’s complained about him in the past and he’s been known to use a choice word or two about her. I can assure you no one’s done anyone a favour here, Chief Inspector Ortley. It was a mistake for us not to have interviewed Bilal Lelouche and those kids, but that’s all it was. A mistake. Not a conspiracy.’

Bish didn’t believe for a moment that the guards hadn’t bothered to question the teenage visitors. Whatever else they were, Holloway’s guards had never struck him as incompetent. ‘I want to see her,’ he said.

‘No.’ Now Eleanor Cook’s voice was cool. ‘A visit hasn’t been sanctioned by the Home Office, so you’ll have to organise it like everyone else. You’re not calling on a neighbour for afternoon tea, Chief Inspector. There’s a number you can call to get a visitor’s pass.’

‘Well, how about you let it slide that there’s no paperwork sanctioned by the Home Office, and I won’t mention the fact that your guards think all people of Middle Eastern appearance look the same, and have let two at-risk teenagers walk out of your prison.’

Noor was waiting for him. He could tell the difference in her instantly; she’d seen her children. The happiness lingered.

‘Where are they?’ he asked, keeping his voice even, and when she didn’t respond he said, ‘I made it possible for you to see your brother. I brought him here so he could find your kids.’

‘What is it you want?’ she asked. ‘Gratitude?’

Yes, he did. The realisation hit him in the gut and made him feel like a pathetic needy kid. He was furious at being left out. Left behind. A boy in the playground crying, ‘I thought you were both my friends.’

‘Do you want me on my knees?’ she asked. ‘Are you like those arsehole screws at the last place who wouldn’t give me my daughter’s letters unless I gave them something in return?’

He felt as if she’d slapped him. ‘Damn you for saying that.’