“I’ll remember.” I tried my best to avoid the remaining puddles, calling Marina’s name when I reached the other side, slightly breathless.

She looked up and attempted a half-laugh, a pretence that she was happy to see me. “Don’t worry, I’ll be leaving later today.” But there was tension in her face.

“Stay as long as you like. But I think you forgot to leave your key to the office.”

Her unease was replaced by relief. “Oh sorry.” She started to root in her bag.

I took a half-step closer to her and lowered my voice. “Why didn’t you mention that Bob Jameson was in the office?”

She stopped mid-search without looking up.

“Marina?”

She straightened, without meeting my eye. “I didn’t think there was any point. He wanted to make a will. He never signed it, so it’s not as if it will have any significance now.”

I touched her shoulder and forced her to look at me. “What aren’t you telling me? Why would a man like that come to you to make a will when he’s only in the area for a short time? You’d barely have had time to draft it, let alone have him sign it.”

Her expression darkened, but she didn’t reply.

“Come on, Marina. Did you know Bob Jameson?” I asked. “Before this week?”

She looked down for a few seconds, examining the footpath, making up her mind. Finally, she looked up. “Yes, I knew him.”

I crossed my arms. “Go on.”

She let out a deep breath. “He recognized me on the street, that’s why he came into the office. I don’t even know if he ever intended on signing that will. You’re right – if the cycle had gone ahead, he’d have left town by the time it was ready. I think he just came in to gloat.” Her tone was bitter.

“Gloat about what?”

“To show that he was untouchable. That no matter how much I hated him, he could pay for my time, like a prostitute.”

I put my hands up in protest. “Okay. I’m not sure I’ve ever made that comparison between the two professions, but I suppose …”

She cut across me. “Those homes of his, the Jameson Grace Homes. They’re nothing but a way to screw the life savings out of people. Once you’re in, you’re trapped.”

“What do you mean?”