She descends the stairs and sees Cosmo’s wrinkled face look up at her with a bewildered expression. ‘Hello, Grace,’ he says, ‘I thought I’d just check in on Jake.’

‘Thank you, Cosmo.’

Grandad turns to look at her; his face is almost bone white and lined with terror.

‘I’m fine, Grandad.’

He lifts his arms which tremble as they reach across to her. She embraces his thin body. ‘I’m so sorry, Grandad.’

Archer explains as much as she can, skipping unnecessary detail that might push him over the edge. He blames himself, of course, but Archer assures him that Jamie Blackwell fooled everyone. It is a small reassurance that she hopes will console him. She asks him again to avoid the news, which she suspects he won’t do, and leaves him with Cosmo, who agrees to keep him company for the day.

She goes straight to Waterloo Station and travels across London to the Whittington Hospital and the ICU ward reception area where a young female nurse is finishing on a call.

‘Hello. I’d like to talk with a patient, please,’ says Archer.

‘Which one?’ replies the nurse.

Archer gives the name.

The nurse holds her gaze for a moment. ‘Aren’t you . . .?’

‘DI Archer.’

‘That’s it. I recognise you from the news.’

Archer gives a half smile.

‘I don’t think he’s up for a police visit right now, I’m afraid. He’s still got a lot of recovery ahead of him.’

‘How’s he doing?’

‘Better today, but he’s still not talking.’

‘Could I see him, please? I don’t need to talk to him . . . just to see him.’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘Please.’

The nurse taps a pen on her chin and then nods her head. ‘I suppose it could do no harm. You’re the reason he’s here, after all.’

‘Thank you.’

She leads Archer into a corridor, through a coded door and points to a closed windowed room. ‘He’s in there. Sleeping, by the looks of it.’

Archer feels an ache in her stomach. She approaches the room and peers in.