‘Dean?’ Ethan said. ‘No, DI Stephens, his death is on you, not me.’

‘Well done,’ Mary said. ‘Very perceptive, Dani. You’re right, I’ve been working with Ethan, trying to teach him. But he’s so impatient. And naturally, he has his own views and ideas. He just needs reining in sometimes. What happened with that young girl… he very nearly ruined everything. Until you came into the mix. It’s just a shame for you that you’ve figured all this out too late.’

‘Ethan. You’re not like her!’

‘Oh, come off it,’ Mary scolded. ‘You’re not going to suddenly break through to him. This is what he is.’

Dani stared at Ethan and the blank stare he gave Dani in return was almost lifeless. Except for a faint flicker of something. Regret?

‘Ethan’s always been trouble,’ Mary continued, then she sighed. ‘He’s always been my son. There’s nothing we, or he, can do about that. It might have taken him some time to realise the truth, but now he knows. He’s not going to fight against it anymore.’

Yet Dani had seen something in Ethan’s eyes. She was certain she had.

‘This next part should be of interest to you, Dani,’ Mary said. ‘I—’

A piercing chime cut Mary off and she glared over to her side. She took two steps forwards and Dani caught a glimpse of a faint light coming from one of the shelves. The source of the light was concealed by boxes and plastic containers. What was it? A small CCTV monitor?

‘What is he doing here?’ Ethan said, sounding more exasperated than anything else as he looked over his mother’s shoulder.

Mary remained unflustered though it was clear the interruption was not welcome.

‘Let me deal with this,’ Mary said as she turned away. ‘If either of them move, kill them. It’d be a shame to spoil the best part, but we never take chances.’

Ethan nodded and Mary moved out of sight. Dani heard her walking up the stairs and then opening and closing the outer door.

‘Ethan, who is it?’ Dani asked. ‘Who’s here?’

Ethan said nothing. He pulled out a metal chair and sat down, then glared over at Dani.

‘Your dad?’

Ethan shook his head slowly.

‘The police?’

Ethan smiled and shrugged.

‘They’re going to catch up with you sooner or later. You must realise that? Even if I don’t make it out of this alive, you can see how close we’ve come. We won’t be the last.’

‘No. You won’t be the last. You’re right about that.’

‘You don’t have to do this. You’re not a killer, Ethan. Don’t let her corrupt you like that. She’s insane!’

‘I used to think that too,’ Ethan said. ‘Do you know how old I was when I found out the truth?’

Dani didn’t answer.