Movement behind the door. A key turns in the lock. A face appears in the narrow gap. Oli blinks as a baby wails from somewhere in the house. ‘Cara?’

Oli remembers what Cara said about her sister when they met at the cafe. I wasn’t immune to her. Plus, she was my sister. It was just the two of us.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Cara’s eyes drift to Rusty. ‘And who is he?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ Oli’s mind is whirling.

‘It matters to me.’ Cara’s bright-pink nails curl around the edges of the door. ‘How dare you turn up to my house late at night with no warning and bring some strange man with you.’ She glances backwards, and Oli wonders if Nicole is inside. ‘I don’t even know you.’

‘It’s okay, I’m a cop,’ Rusty says.

‘That doesn’t make me feel better. You need to leave. I already told you everything I know.’

‘I don’t think that’s true,’ Oli says. ‘Please, Cara, let us in. I know you want to do the right thing.’

‘No, I just want you to go.’ She pushes the door closed, and for the second time today Oli jams her boot in the gap, although this time she shoulders it wider too.

Rusty steps forward. Cara pushes back, but she’s not quick enough, and the door swings open. Oli falls into the hallway. Gets her bearings as quickly as possible and rushes forward. The baby is still crying, but she can’t tell from which direction the sound is coming. Rusty yells out, ‘Stop!’ and Cara grabs her from behind, tugs at her coat, but she makes it to the end of the hallway. Cara pushes past her then reels around, her dark eyes full of fire. Rusty is behind her, his breathing heavy.

‘Get out now.’ Cara’s collarbones are like knives pointing out of her heaving chest.

‘Cara, let us help you,’ says Oli.

The baby isn’t crying now, and the house is silent apart from their breathing.

‘Help me what?’ Cara seethes, her face distorted with fury.

Oli’s eyes jump around the room. A messy bookshelf. A colourful rug. Photos of Cara with a baby.

‘Who lives here with you, Cara?’ Oli’s husky voice rumbles.

‘It’s just me. Just me and my kid. And I want you to leave now.’

‘I don’t believe you. I think she’s here. I think Nicole is here.’

The women lock eyes, both burning with intensity.

‘Maybe we can sit down,’ suggests Rusty.

Oli senses movement in the hallway behind them. She shifts sideways, her gaze still on Cara as she slowly turns. In her peripheral vision she sees a figure coming up the hallway.

Rusty murmurs something under his breath.

‘No.’ Cara lifts her arms in pointless protest.