‘I’ll explain shortly. Before we go, my DS Bennet here needs the password to your computer. You can’t find your phone, I understand?’

‘I thought I picked it up. Maybe it’s still in the bedroom. Please tell me, why do you want to see Nick’s van?’

‘I just want to see it, dear. Part of the process. We’ll find the phone for you, no worries. Oh, and which school does your daughter attend?’

Certain that her naïvety didn’t mean the police didn’t know their business, Anna gave the school’s name and the computer password and then followed Miller into the living room. They exited into the slowing rain and followed the slab path that skirted around the edge of the garden and led to the gate in the high back hedge. Anna had to step carefully because she was barefoot.

Just before they exited the garden, Anna became aware that she was dirty and still in a dressing gown that showed a lot of thigh. ‘Can I ask why I wasn’t allowed to change?’

Miller said, ‘I’m sorry about that, dear. It’s a forensic thing. But we don’t need your clothing now, although do you mind waiting to change until we head back inside? Just be careful of your feet out here.’

‘Forensic? What do you mean?’

Miller waved a hand. ‘Technical, dear. Explain later. Show me which van belongs to your husband, please.’

They were on a cul-de-sac between the rear gardens of Anna’s street and those of the neighbouring one, hedges and bungalows this side, panel fencing and two-storey semis across the way. All the semis were dark except for the light she had seen flick on, seemingly so long ago now.

Anna wanted the darkness of the street to be playing a trick, but she knew that wasn’t the case.

‘I don’t get it. I know he drove home. I always ask if his journey was okay. He would have said if he didn’t have the van.’

In the turning circle at the end, thirty metres away, she could clearly see an empty space where Nick always left his van overnight.

Miller didn’t seem half as confused: ‘Ah, well, we think he drove off in the van. I hate to say this, but—’

‘But what? Has it been stolen by the people who took my family?’

‘Not what we think, I’m afraid. People with abduction in mind, they have their own vehicles, dear. Well, of course, we’re going to get whatever CCTV covers this street, to make sure. But the evidence, which, yes, I’ll run through with you, well, it tells a different story.’

‘What story? What are you saying?’