She tried the new number once more, listened to the recorded message almost to the end before hanging up. The words this person’s phone is turned off at least offered the possibility that it might one day be turned on again. She imagined what Ruby might say to her if she ever answered. She hoped it would be “I’ve missed you,” but she knew it would more likely be “I told you not to try to get in touch until I’m ready.” Trying to get in touch was a reflex action, though, and she had little control over it; she almost called the number again as she spun on her heel and jogged back toward the North Block, just to see if it had been turned on in the last few seconds, but the other cops were watching her approach so she slipped the phone into her pocket instead. She was furious with herself for letting the silence go on for this long, but Ruby could wait a day or two longer; this case couldn’t. There was a suspected attempted murder and zero leads.

Atkinson had just finished briefing another officer in the lobby when Jo walked in.

“Did you get much from the interview with the neighbor?” he asked.

Jo explained that Mrs. Stefanidis was visually impaired, but her hearing was perfect. She told him the name that Sarah had heard being said. “It might be the child that’s been living there, though she seemed convinced, like Terry was, that Franks lived alone. Might be worth checking against the names of any children known to be living in the block—can you put someone on that? I’m heading over to the hospital to have a look at the victim, see if anything’s changed.”

“Do you want me to come with you?

“No, you get home, Steve.”

“Really?”

“Sure.” She indicated the constable on door duty. “Box can cover you for this shift. He probably needs the overtime to pay for my Christmas present.”

The young officer laughed, a little nervously.

Atkinson patted his pockets for his phone, probably eager to call his partner. “Thanks, boss.”

“You make sure you get some sleep. I’ll need you nice and fresh in the morning.”

His face fell. “Tomorrow morning? I’ve, um, booked it off, ma’am.”

“Sorry, Steve, you might need to unbook it. You’re needed on this one, what with being first on scene. I’ll warn you now, this case might be a long one. It won’t stop until it stops.”