‘These shots show Faulkner in his Range Rover just after 11 p.m., driving through Central London.’

‘That was after his bust-up with Melanie Suskind.’

Klara flicks through the images. ‘You can see in this picture Faulkner has put on a baseball hat.’

‘He doesn’t want to be recognised,’ says Archer. ‘Where is he going?’

‘He ends up in Bethnal Green and disappears. He may have parked somewhere away from the ANPR and CCTV. We don’t get a sighting of him at all after that.’

‘So he could be holed up somewhere there?’ asks Quinn.

‘It’s possible. I’ve gone through the CCTV and don’t see him anywhere. However, his car appears back on ANPR.’

Klara shows a series of pictures with Faulkner’s Ranger Rover. Behind the wheel is a young white man and in the passenger seat is a similar youth. Both are smoking and appear to be having fun.

‘They stole his car,’ says Archer. ‘But where is he?’

‘Maybe they can help us. I was able to trace their whereabouts and get an identification. Kevin Furlong of Bow and John Tighe of Bethnal Green. I’ll forward their addresses.’

‘Great work, Klara.’ Archer turns to Quinn. ‘I hate to do this, but I need to bail for a few hours. Do you mind if I leave you to pick them up? I need to see my grandad.’

‘No worries. I’ll get Phillips and Tozer to help out.’

‘I’ll speak to Pierce and get her authorisation for backup. Let’s bring those two in tonight.’

*

Because of unanticipated administrative problems getting the required police backup at short notice, Archer’s hopes of leaving early were dashed and now she is running late. There are only ten minutes of visiting time left as she rushes across the bright, wide corridors of University College Hospital. As she enters the ward, she sees Grandad is sitting up in bed with his head down, snoozing. She nods a hello at the nurse, a woman with mousey hair tied back in a ponytail.

‘I’m here to see Jake Archer.’

The nurse checks her computer system.

‘Are you his granddaughter?’

‘That’s right, Grace Archer. How has he been?’

‘Generally, he’s been fine, but he seemed to lose it with the delivery man today.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘A hamper arrived for him.’

‘From who?’

‘I don’t know. I assumed a friend or a relative.’

‘What happened?’

‘Jake just seemed to change and he pointed his finger at the delivery man and accused him of being the man who knocked him over on Oxford Street.’

‘Who was this man? Did you get his name?’

‘He was just the delivery man. I’m sure his name is on the delivery receipt. He was quite shocked. Listen, it’s not the first time Jake has done this. Yesterday evening he accused one of our male nurses too.’

Archer feels a twist in her stomach.