Her voice now got a little higher, her tone a little desperate. ‘Now let’s not assume anything, my friend. I called down south and the chaps there don’t have any evidence that Eastman or his wife are being targeted, any more so than politicians usually are, that is. But I’m sending someone down there on the quiet to watch them, see if they show any signs of duress. Just don’t let your mind run rampant, Nick. Dominic and the rest of her family, I told you she abandoned them.’

His thoughts seemed bogged down in quicksand, not running rampant. But her warning had the opposite effect as he realised what she was trying to prevent him from doing.

‘Are you saying Eastman and his wife and her family could all be involved in the kidnap?’

‘Nick, please, no. I just told you Eastman’s wife has nothing to do with her family. I just told you not to jump to conclusions. There’s no evidence—’

‘No evidence they’re being targeted, that’s what you said. And if they’re not givers, they’re takers.’

‘No obvious evidence, which is why I’m sending someone for a watch on the quiet.’

‘On the quiet? You need to arrest this guy, both of them. Get Eastman and his wife in a police station and get their stories. What good will just watching do?’

‘I can’t just start investigating someone like Marc Eastman. Nick. Apologies there, but I’d be sidelined in a flash. There’s not even nearly enough evidence—’

‘There’s Dominic!’

‘Nick, he’s just a nephew, just part of a family she left years ago. Not nearly enough evidence, my friend. And think about what Eastman or his wife have to gain from this? Nothing but money, and that’s too much to risk, and they have enough of it already. But I am considering everything, my friend, believe me. Until I get back to you, do nothing and leave this with me.’

Something the DCI had said about Eastman’s wife and loyalty put a terrible thought in his head. ‘Did my wife have an affair with this guy? I met her not long after she started working for him. But was she still sleeping with him even when I came along?’

‘I go with evidence, Nick, and, well, none points that way. There’s nothing to suggest Anna ever connected sexually with Marc Eastman. Why such a random idea?’

It wasn’t random, though. A sexual bond could create unbreakable loyalty, as with Eastman’s wife forgiving her husband’s affairs, and agreeing to help him help Anna bury a crime. Eastman would have needed a high dose of loyalty towards Anna in order to risk everything by protecting her. And how else would he have developed such devotion? He explained this to the DCI, who again jumped on her evidence mantra.