‘I’m sure they do.’ Joel moved past. The door behind him had a wedge holding it open. Initially the ward was just like the last time he had been here, but a few steps in and he could see more uniform officers standing at the foot of a bed in the third area up. It was where he had spoken to Sharon, where her daughter had been recovering behind her.

Another uniform police officer approached them. He was sombre as he pointed out the Relatives Room, where Sharon Evans was. Joel hesitated for just a moment on the threshold, the cold metal of the handle pressed into his palm. He could barely imagine the misery on the other side of this door.

Sharon Evans was alone. Despite the chairs lining the wall on the right side she sat on the floor, her back to the far wall so she was facing them as they entered. The door shut behind them. Sharon didn’t react to the noise. She was sitting still, her knees pulled up so she could hug them, her eyes down so all Joel could see was the top of her head.

‘Sharon. It’s Joel Norris. I got here as quick as I could,’ he said, and paused for a response. When nothing came, he spoke again: ‘I went to your house first. Every available officer, uniform, plain-clothed, PCSO, even the civilian investigators, they’re all out looking. We’ve put appeals out locally, direct to the people. Neighbourhood Watch groups are turning out on foot, I’m sure we will—’

‘She’s dead because of me.’ Sharon lifted her head to reveal eyes obscured by her swollen cheeks. Her forehead had a red mark where it had been resting against her forearm.

Joel cleared his throat. ‘This isn’t your fault.’

‘This is all because of me. I swapped those folders and a little girl died. I didn’t take those threats seriously and my little boy … he’s gone.’ She fixed on Joel, her desperation clear. ‘He’s dead, isn’t he? Someone came here to hurt my Callie and they came to my home to hurt my boy. I was right there!’

‘Tell me what happened, Sharon.’

Sharon was shaking her head now, words tumbling from her with the movement. Joel and DS Rose had to step closer to be able to hear.

‘The calls. I told you about the calls. Just after Danny … How he said we were “one down”.’

‘You told me about that one. Were there others?’