He nodded. ‘Costello kept saying “we”, while her father used “I”.’

‘As if Flip’s mother didn’t matter.’

Rebus was thoughtful. ‘It might mean nothing more than that Mr Balfour has an inflated sense of his own importance.’ He paused. ‘Now wouldn’t that be a first in a merchant banker? How’s the computer stuff going?’

She smiled – ‘computer stuff’ just about summed up Rebus’s knowledge of hard disks and the like. ‘I got past her password.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning I can check her most recent e-mails … soon as I get back to my desk.’

‘No way to access the older ones?’

‘Already done. Of course, there’s no way of telling what’s been deleted.’ She was thoughtful. ‘At least I don’t think there is.’

‘They’re not stored somewhere on the … mainframe?’

She laughed. ‘You’re thinking of sixties spy films, computers taking up whole rooms.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Don’t worry. You’re doing okay for someone who thinks LOL means Loyal Orange Lodge.’

They’d moved out of the office and into the corridor. ‘I’m heading back to St Leonard’s. Need a lift?’

She shook her head. ‘Got my car with me.’

‘Fair enough.’

‘It looks like we’re getting hooked up to HOLMES.’

This was one piece of new technology Rebus did know something about: the Home Office Large Major Enquiry System. It was a software system that collated information and speeded up the whole process of gathering and sifting. Its application meant that Philippa Balfour’s disappearance was now the priority case in the city.

‘Won’t it be funny if she traipses back from an unannounced shopping spree?’ Rebus mused.

‘It would be a relief,’ Siobhan said solemnly. ‘But I don’t think that’s going to happen, do you?’

‘No,’ Rebus said quietly. Then he went to find himself something to eat on the way back to base.

*