‘Truth be, dear, there’s a chance this thing could take a while. My people might soon have to fly the nest so we can do our jobs properly. The FLO will be your bridge between us. And she can take care of any arrangements you need. My boss has already picked a lady called Gwen. She’ll be in the house if you want her for anything. A tech chap will be popping by, too.’

Anna glared at her. ‘Arrangements? You mean Josie’s funeral?’

Miller forgot her scar and touched Anna’s arm. ‘Not what I meant, and not going to happen. We’ll both be bones by that day.’

‘Don’t make promises.’

‘I don’t do this to lock up the bad guy, Anna. That would make this just a job. I do this to give a family member good news. Painkillers. I need to see that happy look on your face when you hug your daughter again. I need it, dear. Some scumbag is going to leave me high and dry? Not going to happen.’

Anna shook her head and repeated: ‘Don’t make promises.’

Miller didn’t respond to that. There was a moment of silence and Anna said, ‘You didn’t answer earlier when I asked you about a husband and children. You don’t have a family, do you? This job is your life, isn’t it?’

The scar needed attention again, this time without the mirror. ‘No, dear. No. No marriage partner and no little ones. Complicated. I guess I’m a career woman. But it doesn’t mean I don’t understand what you’re going through, sweetie.’

Exactly what she’d been thinking. She didn’t want promises from this woman because a broken one would plummet her like a stone, and she believed the detective didn’t realise that. But she gave herself a mental reprimand, because she’d been like the detective once. Long ago, back in London. Striving for a career, no thought to a family. And then everything changed. Something maternal broke anchor and surfaced. Maybe this woman’s dedication was about more than just doing a good job. Maybe there was a maternal instinct that, shy of a child all its own, strove to look after everyone else.

As if reading her thoughts, Miller said, ‘I do promise, Anna, dear. I do promise to get your little one back to you.’

Before Anna could rebuke her, Miller’s mobile rang. She apologised and answered it, but only listened for a few seconds and then hung up.

‘I’m sorry, dear. Another awkward moment coming. You mentioned Nick was at work yesterday afternoon, right? He called you from Sheffield city centre at lunchtime. Is that right, dear?’