They were both crowding him, like a bully tag team. Miller’s turn: ‘It’s why Anna ran away. She couldn’t tell us what she knew, because, well, the truth couldn’t come out. But if Anna could get away while we were distracted, maybe she could get to these people and get Josie back without anyone knowing anything about what happened in the past. And the kidnappers must have told her how to do this somehow. Whatever it is they want, it’s more than just money.’ She put her hand on his arm. ‘Nick, apologies, but do you understand all of what I just said?’

His head was clear enough now that pieces were tumbling into place. He believed. But right now Anna’s position as a double-killer didn’t even matter as Miller’s claim sought the spotlight. More than just money. It gave him a feeling of deadness inside.

‘You’re saying this is about dues after all. But not mine. These people want Anna alone so they can kill her. Both of them. My wife and my daughter. It’s payback.’

On the drive back, while Nick was still trying to accept recent bombshells, Bennet got a call from a colleague and relayed it to the DCI. ‘Something perhaps we should consider connected: Larry Middleton’s home garage was broken into a short while ago. The security company called him when the alarm went off. He says nothing looks to have been stolen, but the place is a mess, as if someone was looking for something. Any other day, I’d discount it, but…’

Nick realised that Anna’s father and sister would be awaiting news. He didn’t have a number for either of them in his head, but Middleton’s mobile was listed on the website for his casual dining restaurant in Sheffield because he liked all customer feedback to go through him. He asked Bennet for use of his phone.

‘DS Bennet, where are you?’ Middleton answered. He must have stored the DS’s number. ‘Anna left a secret message for Jane. What’s happened down there?’

‘What? What mess… explain that.’

‘Nick? What’s happened down there?’

Nick blurted a flash version – minus the part about dead hikers and cloned cars – so he could quickly return to Middleton’s shocking revelation. For the second time, he was careful not to say something that would alert the listening detectives.

‘The message said, “Trust me, don’t tell police. I know what they want. I’m going to get Josie back.” Do you know what she’s doing, Nick? This looks planned. Did anyone forget there’s a little girl’s life at stake?’

Trust me, don’t tell the police – it gave weight to the theory that Anna had escaped the house in order to fix this problem alone. And preserve her terrible secret. Somehow, he managed to sink lower.