Jordan Kelly is connected to three different machines, including one which has an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. His eyes are closed, but she watches for a few moments, grateful that he is pulling through, but also worried for his future. The hardest times lie ahead for him, as they do for the families of all Jamie Blackwell’s victims. It’s a harsh reality that the human cost of crime for the victims’ families is so often forgotten by the public, the lawyers, the media and even the police. When a killer is successfully convicted the perception is that it’s all over and those left behind can move on with their lives. But this is never the case, as she knows from her years as a police officer – and from personal experience. The murder of a loved one is like an emotional bullet to the heart that leaves an irreparable forever-hole. The heart will heal in time, people say. What a cruel lie that is. The heart never heals. With time you learn to adjust and go about your life with that same bullet-sized forever-hole in your heart.

She notices Jordan’s eyes flicker open. He looks around the room with a fearful expression until his gaze meets Archer’s. After a moment, she raises her hand and gives a small wave. It takes a little bit of effort, but Jordan manages to wave back. Her thoughts turn to little Danny Jobson, and with them, a familiar sense of despondency. She was unable to save Danny, but at least she has saved Jordan. Archer smiles at him, despite feeling an ache in her throat.

‘Excuse me,’ says a voice.

Archer looks across to see a grey-haired woman and a man in their mid- to late sixties. ‘Hello.’

‘We just wanted to thank you for saving our grandson. He’s all we have left.’

‘I’m so sorry this has happened,’ replies Archer.

‘Elaine was a good girl. We had our problems, but she was a good mother.’

The nurse appears. ‘I’ll take you through now,’ she tells them.

‘We have to go and see him. Thank you again. God bless . . .’

Archer watches Elaine Kelly’s estranged parents approach the boy with gifts of chocolate, fruit and books.

The nurse leaves them to it and joins Archer. ‘They’re applying for custody.’

‘I’m happy to hear that.’

The leave together through the coded door and in the corridor Archer notices a second coded door opposite. Beyond it she sees two uniformed guards standing outside an ICU room. She feels her skin prickling.

‘Are you OK?’ asks the nurse.

‘Never been better,’ she replies.

Archer makes her way to Charing Cross Police Station and joins the others in the incident room where she is warmly welcomed and applauded.

Klara hugs her tight. ‘I’m just so relieved.’

‘Thank you, Klara. For everything.’