‘By the way,’ DS Cavanagh said, turning back to him as he walked away. ‘For what it’s worth, you’ve still got my backing. I think it’s all connected. I don’t like coincidences. Well done for not letting it drop. Other newbies would have just got their head down and done as they were told. The boss won’t forget that; especially if it leads to us figuring this all out.’

With that, DS Cavanagh left Mark alone in the corridor as he tried not to punch the air at the compliment.

There was still too much to do.

Half an hour later, Stephanie was led into the family room by DS Cavanagh and left alone with Mark. Her eyes were red and puffy from hours of tears. Her skin was pale. She looked so different than when he’d last seen her. Burdened with pain.

‘What’s going on?’ Stephanie said, her hair hanging limply over her cheeks. ‘How come you didn’t just come to the house tomorrow or something?’

Mark realised he wasn’t sure how to begin. Stammered out a response. ‘I thought it better we talk straight away. It’s not too late, is it? I mean, if you’re tired or…’

Stephanie shifted in her seat, trying to sit up straighter. ‘No, it’s fine. What is this about, Mark?’

‘We found something. In the house, earlier.’

‘Yeah, thanks for that,’ Stephanie said, before he had a chance to say anything more. ‘As if things weren’t bad enough, now my mum’s house has been turned upside down. Honestly, you couldn’t have given us a little more time? We’ve only just found out she’s dead. We could have done without that. Or at least had some warning.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Mark replied, stuck for anything else to say. ‘It’s what happens in these types of cases…’

‘And now you’re interviewing our Uncle Rich, as if he had something to do with it? It’s just not right.’

Mark could see she was on the brink of breaking down again, but resisted the urge to reach out and comfort her. ‘She was found somewhere he’s known to have a connection to, Stephanie. That can’t be ignored.’

‘He would never hurt her,’ Stephanie said, a grit to her tone of voice. As if she was holding back from raising her voice in the small space. ‘I know that’s what you people always think, but this time, it’s different. He didn’t do this.’

‘That’s why I need to talk to you. What I’m going to tell you here, I want you to think about carefully. If there’s anything sensitive, I promise it’ll be dealt with properly. I just need the truth, that’s all. I need your trust here. Okay? Can you trust me?’