With Mack and Kane on either side, she began to gather herself, detailing for the first time the full story.

Shelby had heard footsteps in the roof – they’d woken her up. She’d rushed up to the rooftop garden to investigate, found no one, so ran back into the house. She flicked on all the lights, only to find a tall man with a balaclava just outside Kane’s room. He’d seen her, and asked her where Davey was.

‘He was so arrogant. Like he owned the house,’ said Shelby, bristling.

‘So what did you do?’ said De Corrado.

‘I didn’t want Kane to come out, so I kept my voice down and told him the police were on their way. He called me a bitch and then scampered.’

‘Always “bitch”,’ De Corrado said as an aside. ‘When will they come up with a better one?’

‘I could’ve taken him,’ whispered Kane to Mackerel. ‘I wish I’d heard them outside my door.’

‘I bet you could have,’ agreed Mackerel.

‘So he was looking for Davey . . . any potential enemies in Davey’s world?’ said Detective Smith.

‘What do you mean by his “world”?’ said Shelby.

‘His work sphere,’ said Smith with a lazy grin.

‘What do you mean by his world?’ she said again. Shelby was too smart by half. ‘What the hell are you implying?’

Mackerel’s mind turned back to what De Corrado had said in the hospital. If she knew something about the Business, she had no way of proving it. And no one local would corroborate her story, not with Ivy having played defence for so long.

But De Corrado had no way of knowing Shelby was not involved in the slightest. He had to let her know. This was the last thing Shelby needed to find out tonight.

Behind Shelby’s back, he caught De Corrado’s eyes and shook his head an inch.

Smith had opened his mouth to reply, but De Corrado put a hand on his arm. ‘I think it’s best to let Mrs Dempsey sleep. She had a long day yesterday, and no sleep tonight. Mackenzie, allow me to escort you back to your premises. I believe you’re in breach of your bail curfew. Mrs Dempsey, Detective Smith will remain here for the night. I noticed you have around 103 spare guest rooms, I’m sure he could stay in one.’

‘It’s a good idea,’ said Mackerel to Shelby. He squeezed her arm. ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow. We’ll come up with something.’

‘Why do you have to leave?’ she said. ‘You’ve already broken the curfew. What does it matter now?’

‘Rules are rules.’ He hugged her and, taking a risk, kissed her softly on the head. ‘Take care of her,’ he said to Kane.

Kane nodded, eyes on his mother. ‘Do you want me to sleep in with you tonight, Mum?’