‘Good heavens,’ Sparling sneered. ‘I would advise you not to waste my time with this insubordination any further, Detective. Can you do that?’

‘Yes,’ Barry replied, his words fragile. ‘Of course, Doctor.’

Alec knew the man was terrified of him. He could crush his life and livelihood in a quick morning if he so pleased.

‘Today I received two visitors to my home,’ Alec began. ‘They knew precisely where I live because someone had shared with them its location. Now, as you know, Detective, I am a remarkably private man. And you will also remember that you and I have a strict arrangement. You respect my privacy and I in turn keep your dirty little secrets safe from those who, God forbid, should wish to use them to destroy you. I know it was you. Your honesty now will determine how I deal with your betrayal. So, Detective, tell me, what information exactly did you share despite my most inflexible of wishes?’

Barry told him about Benjamin French and how he and a student by the name of Chloe Coogan suspected some link between Sparling and the disappearance of Carol Fortune. He was patently honest, upfront, and repeated the conversation as best as his mind could recall.

‘Why would they have connected you to her disappearance?’ he asked, bested by curiosity as weak men so often are.

‘Careful, Detective,’ Alec replied. ‘You would be wise to avoid matters that do not concern you.’

‘When we first met, I asked you what your interest was in—’

‘Must I repeat myself?’ Alec interjected. ‘I’m willing to forgive, if not forget, your indiscretion on this occasion. But I will not be so lenient should this ever happen again. Do I make myself clear?’

‘Yes, Doctor,’ Barry replied sheepishly.

‘In the event of either Mr French or Ms Coogan contacting you, I want you to feign action. Let them believe that you will aid them with any issue. But – and I cannot state the importance of this enough, Detective – you will do nothing. You will tell me of any such development. But you will tell no one else. If you go against my wishes, I can guarantee that your life will be altered greatly and not for the better. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, Doctor.’

‘And one final request,’ Alec added. ‘Mr French and Ms Coogan are currently in possession of some documents that I have commissioned. I should imagine, seeing as they spent last night in Ms Coogan’s home, that this is where you’ll find them. Collect them all, Detective, and any computers or devices on the premises and bring them to me. But wait until Monday. By then I should imagine that the house will be empty.’

‘What’s her address?’ Barry asked.

‘You’re a Detective, for Christ’s sake. I’m sure you can find that out without my help.’

‘Of course, I’ll get on it right away.’