Lelouche looked around the room. ‘They even worked on the papers that made this restaurant happen. It’s a good life, Chief Inspector. All because of two generous people.’ Bish saw a resolute look in the other man’s eyes. ‘So when Etienne and Noor’s children come to me for help, who am I to turn them away?’

‘So you know about Eddie?’

‘Eddie has the colouring of his mother and the rest is from Etienne. To see that boy breaks the heart of anyone who knew Etienne, but fills it also with joy. Etienne came to this restaurant, sat right here, just days before he died. He was determined, and optimistic about Noor and her family being released. He knew the evidence would not stand up in a court of law. I did not break bread with a man who would lose hope days later.’

Bish was about to get into his car when he remembered that Layla Bayat lived on the next block. If Jamal had stayed with her and had been in contact with Violette and Eddie, she would have met them as well. He knew it was late but he rang the doorbell all the same.

‘It’s Bish Ortley,’ he said, and surprisingly she buzzed him in without a word.

Upstairs at her door she didn’t quite let him in.

‘Violette and Eddie aren’t here,’ she said.

‘Just looking for a clue, Layla. To keep them safe. I promise your involvement won’t get back to your employers.’

‘I’m no longer employed by Silvey and Grayson,’ she said.

‘They asked you to leave?’

‘I’m not into euphemisms,’ she said bluntly. ‘It’s called being sacked.’

‘Well, I got sent home from work a few weeks ago,’ he said. ‘Do you think that’s a euphemism for the Met sacking me?’

After an internal war that played out in her expression, she stepped aside and let him in. He’d forgotten how small the place was, especially now that the entire living room floor was carpeted with files. He noticed a map of Yorkshire among them.

‘How can I help?’ he asked.

‘I don’t need your help.’

‘You have a Yorkshire map, Layla. Noor and Jamal believe Violette is heading that way. So that tells me I can help out here.’

‘This isn’t about Violette and Eddie.’

He couldn’t hide his frustration. ‘We’re on the same side, Layla. What else can I say to convince you?’

She looked tired. Defeated. Perhaps that was due to spending two days living with her past in the form of Jimmy Sarraf.

‘Ask me again what my theory about Brackenham is,’ he said.

She shook her head. ‘Go home, Ortley.’

‘Do it. Ask me.’

She sighed. ‘Okay, so what’s your theory about the Brackenham bombing?’

‘That Louis Sarraf acted on his own.’

They were the magic words she seemed to want to hear. After a moment’s consideration she crouched on the floor by her layout.

‘I got sacked because I sent an email to the Yorkshire police asking questions about Etienne’s death,’ she said. ‘I used my company email signature so I’d be sure to get answers.’