Soon everyone who had business in Rotherham or outside it had passed through a pair of sliding doors and the Meadowhall train was ready to depart. Nick looked at the phone and pretended to be reading something, but his peripheral vision caught White Coat taking a bench seat. And watching him.

The phone rang.

Anna entered the living room, her eyes on movement beyond the room divider as detectives crowded their technology in their little control centre. She heard Miller give instructions regarding a hotel. Something about Leeds. The number 50. From the speaker, she could hear Nick’s heavy breathing, and the public address system announcing a train about to depart. She paused while her mind raced. Leeds and hotels and train stations? What were those bastards making him do? She didn’t want to hear it. She certainly couldn’t watch it. It was a struggle, though, to detach herself.

She peered through the blinds to see Jane and the FLO still on the garden bench, chatting away and enjoying the sun. Her poor sister, unable to listen to developments and shutting herself away. Jane was spinning her teacup around one finger. Empty.

On speaker, a phone rang. Nick answered.

‘On the train, now!’ that horrible voice said.

A bustle of activity suddenly, as detectives jumped into new action. They sounded worried. Fearful, Anna backed out of the room and checked her watch. 12.21 p.m.

Nick leaped on to the train just before the doors locked shut. He fell against the doors, phone clamped to his ear.

‘What are you playing at now? Is this another trick? Don’t you want this damn money?’

‘New plan, Nicolas.’

Nick froze. Similar accent, but a new voice. Why?

‘This train stops at Meadowhall and then terminates at Sheffield. Six minutes to Meadowhall, another ten to the terminus. Sit on the left side, window seat. Enjoy the view. At Meadowhall Interchange, there’s a row of lockers. Code 6437. Put the money inside number 15 and take out the new mobile inside, and then you’re done. I’ll call you again to tell you where your child is after we get the money and get away nice and safe.’

‘Who are you? Are you the one who’s got my daughter?’

The caller hung up. Nick got to a seat on wobbly legs. Now he didn’t care who heard. He said, ‘I hope you got that. Locker 15 at Meadowhall station. Combination number 6437. And this voice was someone new. That’s two men who’ve called, not a woman. Get working on it. How’s my wife?’