‘Melinda is doing well, isn’t she?’ said Commander Normandy offhand. ‘It’s an unusual line of questioning, and a rather specific style: almost like she was coached by someone before she went in there.’ She turned her eyes on Con and sipped her tea. ‘Why is it hard for you to believe Eliza could have been sleeping with Cierra Mason?’

‘I don’t know, maybe because she can’t answer Tran’s questions quickly? Maybe because she doesn’t seem that upset by the questioning?’

Maybe just because it’s too left-field. In a case like this, something has to be normal – the steroid-fuelled gym teacher has to be more likely to hook up with a student than the orphaned English teacher with the dead niece.

‘Unfortunately we have no proof of that,’ said Agatha, as though she could hear his thoughts. ‘Besides, your male intuition and the way you’ve coached Tran both presuppose a particular conclusion. Eliza isn’t here to defend a suspicion: she’s confessed. Madison made the allegation and Eliza has admitted to sleeping with Cierra,’ said Agatha. ‘As with Cierra’s own video confession, we need to take this seriously, and that means Miss Eliza Ellis has just become suspect number one.’

She inclined her head and turned her tea cup where it stood on the desk.

‘However, I agree that . . . it doesn’t feel right. But that doesn’t constitute evidence . . . Unfortunately . . .’ She lifted her tea, holding the cup close to her mouth. ‘You know, I really don’t like that this was all brought about by Madison Mason. If she orchestrated this whole disappearance, any videos she puts out – any information – must have a certain aim. What I would like to know is what she’s hoping to achieve by shifting our scrutiny onto Eliza Ellis.’

‘Then I should go speak with Madison,’ said Con, relishing the thought.

‘Not yet. I forbid it,’ said Agatha. ‘She must be handled very delicately from now on, which you’ll leave to me. And I don’t want a whiff of her planning this whole thing getting out to the public yet. We need that to be handled carefully too.’ She put her finished cup of tea on the table. ‘And another thing. Carl Lenah still hasn’t been found.’

Con shook his head. ‘It would be good to tie up the loose end, but we need everyone working where they’re most useful. I think we can safely rule him out. From what we can tell, he and his family are just deeply suspicious of police.’

‘I agree. If he surfaces before this all blows over, we’ll talk to him, but let’s not make a big deal of it. If we handle him wrong, it only reinforces Madison’s narrative.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Speaking of which – the commissioner has asked to speak to me about that video of you and Gabriella.’