That intrigued Anna enough to take the phone from Nick, who said, ‘Who’s the other guy, this friend? Are they both in on it? What else do you know?’

‘Well, the Jackson kid has an alibi. He was at a pub lock-in last night, till about four in the morning, which we’ve confirmed. The “friend” who wanted the car is someone he claims he met only recently and only knows as Dom.’

‘Bollocks. You believe that?’

‘We’re checking it out. According to Jackson, this Dom doesn’t live in South Yorkshire. He’s staying up here in a B&B.’

‘Which one? Did this Jackson idiot say which?’

‘Nick, just let him talk,’ Anna cut in, a hand on his arm. Bennet gave her a look of thanks.

‘He’s been calling Jackson from that B&B, so we know which one and we’re watching it. That’s where we got that CCTV image. He stayed out last night and hasn’t been back there so far today, according to the owner. But when he returns, we’ll have a chat with him. Jackson’s been warned not to tip Dom off if he calls again.’

‘Where’s the B&B?’ Nick said.

‘I can’t tell you that.’

‘Why? I want to talk to this guy. He might not talk to the cops. Let me wait there for him to return, no police presence. He’ll talk to me.’

‘A nice, friendly chat? Why do I doubt that, Mr Carter?’

‘I don’t want you going there, Nick.’

Nick said, ‘It’s probably a false name, being a B&B. Have you considered that I might know the guy? I need to speak to him. I’m no good with faces on photos.’

Anna remembered something: ‘Your boss, she’s good with faces. She might recognise him. Has she seen this photo?’

Bennet shook his head: ‘She doesn’t know him.’

And then the landline rang.

It was time.

‘There’s a phone on George Street, near Rotherham train station. Be there at 11. We’ll phone. Make sure you answer. Just you, alone. No dawdling. Pick up the receiver and answer immediately with “Hello, my master. I am so scared”. And make sure you hold it in both hands so I know one isn’t pressing record on a tape machine. Then I’ll tell you where to take the money. We’ll have people watching. You won’t like what happens if they spot police.’

Click.

Anna staggered to the sofa and fell on to it. Jane sat beside her.

‘No way she’s going on her own,’ Nick said, shrugging free of the hands holding him. Bennet and another officer had had to physically prevent him from answering the phone. He stood by the sofa, a hand on Anna’s shoulder.