The smirk froze. “Might’ve. Well, not me personally.”

“Who did, then?”

“What’s this about?” No pause before the question; Liz had known it was coming. Playing games. Deflecting.

“So whoever went out clearing the roads didn’t happen to notice the state of either of those places, then?”

“Dunno what you’re talking about.”

“Been a bit hard to miss, I’d’ve thought.”

“Maybe they did see something. What if they did?”

“And they didn’t report it?”

“What for? You lot’d just blame them for it, like you blame us for anything goes wrong round here. Give a dog a bad name and –”

“They didn’t happen to see Charlotte Famuyiwa or David Chapple on their travels, did they?”

“Not that I heard.”

“Just that the pair of them set off from Barsall this morning. Dave was taking her back to the Bell. And we found his car parked outside the pub with the doors open. Right next to some fresh tractor marks. So you can see how it might look.”

“Like I said,” said Liz, “give a dog a bad name. Can’t blame the boys not wanting to get involved when you lot blame them if you stub your toe.”

“Charlotte and Dave are both missing.”

“Sorry to hear it.”

Ellie shifted gears, into formal mode: “Are Charlotte Famuyiwa or David Chapple on the premises here?”

“Here we go.”

“Simple question, Liz –”

“Here we go. Coming here accusing us of all sorts –”

“Simple question, Liz. Yes or no?”

“This is harassment. Pure and simple. I’ll be making a complaint about –”

“Yes or fucking no, Liz?” Shit. Her control had slipped, and she saw Liz’s eyes gleam at being given an advantage.

“Don’t you talk to me like that. My own house. Who d’you think you are, eh? Who the hell d’you think you are?”

“Are Charlotte and Dave –”

“Not being insulted on me own doorstep. Do one!” And Liz slammed the door.

Or tried, at least. Ellie was wearing a good heavy boot, and she shoved it into the gap between door and jamb.

“Shift your foot,” said Liz. Was that a gleam of sweat on her forehead?

“If they’re not there, you won’t mind us coming in and taking a look, will you? Prove to everyone you’re on the level.”

“You got a warrant?”

“I’ve got two missing persons.” More than two. Try six. “Thought you’d want to help.”

“You got a warrant?”

“Sooner we eliminate you from our enquiries, sooner we can –”

“Warrant.”

“– find out where they really are –”

“War. Rant.”

“– before something happens to them.”

“Warrant,” said Liz again, shifting position as she said it, and that was when Ellie saw the gleam of the shotgun she was holding against her leg.

“Fine,” she said, turning as if to go. “I’ll be back with one –”