‘Perhaps on your way to Nuthall to search?’

‘Detective Miller, why don’t you tell me some good news, if you can? Any likelihood in the far future of finding my daughter?’

‘We have a couple of updates,’ she said, sounding more serious now. ‘Now, without proof of the involvement of the families of the hikers killed way back, all we can do is put them under surveillance. That’s been ongoing most of the day and I’m hearing nothing untoward is occurring. There’s certainly nothing suggesting your family is in that neck of the woods. If that changes, I’ll know instantly. But my gut is ruling them out.’

Nick’s gut turned at that news. It was good and bad all at the same time. But Miller continued before he really had time to process the information.

‘Remember I told you that the Watson-Bruce clan, a couple of them run scrapyards? Well, the chap who started it all had three children. Another daughter, see. This lass isn’t in the scrap trade, my friend. She’s like the white sheep of that family. She got away from them. Moved away to find a better life. And she’s managed to keep her family history out of the limelight. She took her husband’s surname when she married, and this was way before he stepped into the Westminster limelight.’

Nick felt a realisation – based on that term Westminster limelight – touching the tip of his tongue, but it surfaced no further. Miller gave a push:

‘Her name is Iliana. Iliana Eastman.’

Iliana Eastman – Marc Eastman’s wife and aide. Shock had a texture and a weight in his belly. ‘Eastman… Marc Eastman helped Anna cover up the hit-and-run? That’s what you’re saying?’

‘Well, that idea doesn’t sit well with me. The current Secretary of State for Education burying such a crime? No. See, I’d much rather bet on Anna turning to Iliana, if they’re friends. I can see her fearing the story could harm her husband. Shadowy as she is and all, and obsessed with the power he’s got, and the power she’s got over him. Yeah, I can see her doing this for her husband, perhaps even without his knowledge. He’s getting some grief at the minute because a newspaper is trying to discredit him with this Witches of Eastman story. The country has learned about three affairs so far that he’s had over the last twenty years, but his wife has stuck by him and that proves a tight bond. Perhaps tight enough that she would cover up a hit-and-run by his caseworker to avoid negative splashback.’

‘But Josie… how is that connected…’