She turned to Atkinson. “We need to go and search the beach at Cleethorpes. See if there’s anything we’ve missed.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“You go. Take Jade if you like. I’ve got a few things to do. Let me know what you find.”

Atkinson stood up, but he didn’t immediately leave the room.

“Boss, I just wanted to make sure …”

“What?”

“There’s definitely nothing you’re not telling me?”

“Don’t be silly, Steve. On you go now.” She smiled tightly as she gathered up her stuff before pushing past him, out of the room.

CHAPTER

27

THEN

Ruby

December

NOW THAT SHE had a spare key, Ruby had developed a technique of opening the door to the flat stealthily, like a burglar, making almost no sound. Then, when Leonie caught sight of her, she was even more delighted. Gregor usually knew she was there, of course, because of the motion sensors on the stairs. Today, it seemed he’d missed his phone alerting him to her approach. He and Constance were arguing.

Silently, she closed the front door behind her and stood in the hallway, listening. She reached inside her bag for the fruit snack she’d brought with her, the organic kind that Leonie loved, but her hand stopped when she heard his voice.

Gregor sounded agitated.

“She has everything she needs, right here. Why would you want to put her in danger like that?”

“It’s not dangerous out there,” said Constance. “It’s a playpark. She should be allowed to play, like the other children.”

“If people around here see her, they’ll start to ask questions. And that can only end one way, with Leonie being taken away.”

“But she’s our daughter. Why would anyone take her away from us?”

“We’ve been through this. They won’t care about that. They’ll say we’ve been neglectful. They’ll ask for birth certificates, for proof of residency. Then, when you can’t show them, you’ll be thrown into a detention center and she’ll be put with a foster family.”

“That’s not going to happen. Ruby knows how to be careful. Please, for Leonie if not for me. You don’t want to take her yourself, fine. Let Ruby take her out. I’ll stay here. It’s not as if I can go very far, is it? Not without my coat.”

“You realize how insane that makes you sound, don’t you?”

Constance mumbled something that Ruby couldn’t hear.

“I haven’t got your fucking coat, for fuck’s sake! If you want to leave, go ahead!”

“Gregor, please, you’re hurting me. Leonie’s upset—look at her.”

“If she’s upset, it’s because of you, not me. You’re ranting again. You’re so indoctrinated, you know that? I wish you’d just let it go.”