The entrance is a heavy panelled door painted a glossy navy blue. Archer presses her ear to the surface and listens. There is no sound. She raps on the door and waits, but there is no answer.

She inserts the key and pushes the door open. The hallway is small with a kitchenette at one end, a door to a bathroom and another to a bedroom and living room.

The place smells clean. Citrus and soap scents drift from the bathroom. She glances inside. The tiles are in masculine blacks and greys, a monochrome finish. It’s small but contains a decent-sized shower, a basin and toilet.

She is on her guard, listening for any noise, but other than passing traffic outside there is no sound within.

She looks inside the bedroom. A sage green duvet covers the large double bed. It doesn’t look like it has been slept in for a few days. The living room is spacious with large windows overlooking the front garden. Aside from a sofa and a television, there isn’t much else to see. Jamie’s flat is compact, clean and tidy, yet there is nothing here to indicate that this is a permanent home.

She leaves, returns to the office and hands back the key to Victoria.

‘Where would Jamie go, if he didn’t come here?’

‘He’s probably gone home.’

‘So this isn’t his permanent residence?’

Victoria sighs. ‘No, upstairs is a cot. Somewhere to put his head down if he’s been working late, or somewhere to take one of his conquests.’ She levels her gaze with Archer at the last statement.

Archer ignores the jibe.

‘So where is his home?’

‘I hope he’s not in danger.’

‘Where does he live?’

‘I don’t know. Somewhere out of the city?’

‘Where out of the city?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve never been there!’

‘Why would you not know that? You are colleagues and friends, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, he might have told me, but I don’t remember. I think it’s near a graveyard.’

‘Thanks. That really narrows it down.’

Archer is losing patience. She enters Jamie’s office and searches through his drawers and paperwork for any sign of his home address.

Her phone rings.

‘Grace, it’s Klara. I’ve been trying to get hold of Hicks and Quinn, but they’re not picking up.’

‘Perhaps they have Merrick. What is it?’

‘The mobile phone number from Olinski’s diary has just been reactivated. I sent it an auto message pretending to be from the provider.’

Archer feels her pulse quickening. ‘Can you locate it?’

‘It was in Holloway but not anymore. It’s on the move and going at a fair speed, which means whoever has the phone is probably driving.’

Chapter 48

48