Easton, on the other hand, had said he’d be there for Dani. Hadn’t he? At least Dani had taken that as his meaning back at the crash scene. She’d called him several times, wanting to speak about the case, but he’d not taken or responded to her calls.

Unlike Jason, who was the one person who’d been trying to reach her. Despite what had happened in her apartment he’d called and texted. First to apologise to her, but later wanting to check on how she was. To lend an ear, support her however he could. No matter what happened, Jason was the one person who seemed willing to stick his neck out for her. She’d felt unable to answer or respond to his calls and texts, yet how much longer would he hang around if she kept pushing him away?

Half an hour later Cartwright was once again showing Dani into the interview room at the prison, where Ben was already sitting in wait. Dani took the seat as the door was closed and locked behind her.

‘I’m surprised you came back,’ Ben said, with what looked like a genuine smile.

‘I’m as surprised as you are.’

She could see quite clearly that Ben had a large bruise on his face, around and under his left eye.

‘What happened?’ Dani asked.

‘This isn’t a beach holiday, Dani.’

‘Someone attacked you?’

‘Does it matter to you if they did?’

It did. But she didn’t say it.

‘So what can I do for you this time?’

Dani didn’t answer that. She didn’t quite know herself.

‘I heard about what happened,’ Ben said after a few moments of silence.

‘Heard what exactly?’

‘It was on the news. You were chasing some chump who ran onto a busy dual carriageway.’

‘Nothing escapes the media’s eye, does it?’

‘So now you’ve killed someone too.’

Dani opened her mouth but managed to hold her tongue. She met Ben’s eye for a few seconds but she really didn’t like what she saw and had to break the contact first.

‘What does that mean for your job?’ Ben asked.

‘I don’t know yet.’

‘They’re firing you?’

‘Possibly.’

‘So you came to your little brother for comfort.’

Ben smirked. Dani didn’t.

‘The only comfort I get from you is knowing that you’re locked up in this place.’

Ben’s face fell into an angry frown but he didn’t bite back.

‘I saw the kids again at the weekend,’ Dani said and she noticed Ben’s features pick up. ‘It was great to spend some more time with them.’

‘How are they doing?’

‘Chloe’s a real natural at sports—’

‘Just like you used to be.’

‘She’s the star of her football team. I went to watch them play over at Wyndley. Harry’s not bad either, but he’s more into his PlayStation than anything else.’