Elizabeth, busying herself with setting cups and saucers on a tray, did not immediately reply. She stopped fiddling, put hands on hips and looked severely at Sara. ‘I think I should know what you’re really in search of, young lady.’

‘Yes, you have every right to. But first, would you mind telling me how and why you got in touch with me? I assume it must have been that photograph in the newspapers.’

‘Photograph?’ Elizabeth, puzzled, picked up a mobile from a shelf. ‘It’s Marion’s. I keep it with me when she’s like this.’ She clicked, scrolled and clicked again. ‘Read this.’

Dear Marion. Sara Shah would like to get in touch and meet up with you. You may remember seeing her some years ago at a dinner. And I expect Kareem talked to you about her. She’s now a lawyer. I think it may be helpful for you to see her. It will give you a greater understanding. I will text you her mobile number separately.

‘Do you know anything about this?’ Elizabeth demanded.

‘No,’ said Sara, hoping her surprise – and shock – didn’t show. ‘It’s extremely odd.’

‘It certainly is. I thought you may be able to throw light on it.’

‘No… I’ll try to think who it might be…’ She detected a trace of anger in her interrogator and knew the inadequacy of her response. ‘Did you try to reply to it?’

‘Yes. But the message didn’t get through for some reason. I tried again but no good. Not that it mattered,’ said Elizabeth, checking on Marion through the glass. ‘I googled your name and “lawyer” and found your Chambers’ website. There was a short announcement saying that you were being seconded for three months to the Morahan Inquiry.’

‘I didn’t realise my Chambers had done that,’ said Sara. Not that that mattered now either – the press photograph had destroyed any attempt at discretion. Still stunned by the anonymous text, she was grateful that Elizabeth seemed to be taking charge.

‘Be that as it may,’ continued Elizabeth. ‘I felt perhaps that enabling Marion to speak to you might unlock something that could help her. I fear it hasn’t.’

Sara told herself to concentrate only on Elizabeth. ‘At least she talked. And coherently…’

‘Until the animal screams came.’

‘The screams may have been real.’

‘What do you mean?’ Elizabeth asked sharply. ‘Does Marion have anything to fear?’ Elizabeth Green could be intimidating, thought Sara, wondering whether that might once have affected her daughter. ‘I promise you, Marion will never be drawn into this.’

‘Drawn into what exactly? That’s my point.’ She hesitated. ‘After locating you, I read up on the Morahan Inquiry. To be honest, I was the one who really wanted to meet you. Selfish of me perhaps.’

‘Why selfish?’

‘Because Marion’s interest should be paramount. And I may not have allowed it to be.’

‘I’m glad you made contact, Mrs Green—’

‘Elizabeth. Please.’