Ava’s increased anxiety probably came from the antics of her brother and the worry about the farm. McNab couldn’t see why the dead animals should have anything to do with her investigation into Go Wild. More likely someone wanted her to sell the farm and was exerting a bit of pressure to make that happen.

Or maybe the brother was trying to keep his sister there, and the attack on the animals was part of that? McNab had never met the boy, so couldn’t say. What he did know was that he’d been a prize arse at seventeen, with a desire to have his own way whatever it took.

Of course, he hadn’t suggested that possibility during the call, keen as he was to keep Ava onside.

Rising, he made his way down the escalator and threaded through the crowds on the concourse, heading for the Underground sign.

Emerging at Victoria to follow Ava’s directions, he found Mark’s place easily enough. The red-brick mansion flats she’d described were only a short walk from the station, tucked down a side street.

With no answer from the buzzer, he awaited the next entrant and slipped in behind them. Ava had indicated that the flat was on the third floor, number 309.

Ignoring the lift, McNab took the stairs two at a time and made his way along the corridor, still nursing the hope that Mark might be home and just unwilling to advertise that fact.

After three attempts at knocking, with no sound or response from inside, he decided it was time for his lock pick.

Closing the door quietly behind him, McNab stood for a moment, breathing in the smell of the place and the silence. Instinct told him the flat was empty, plus the scent wasn’t of death but of spilt blood and sweat.

He followed it into the kitchen where it was clear that a fight had taken place. The blood was mostly splattered lightly across the walls and surfaces, with no pools present. He hoped that meant serious damage hadn’t been done, to Mark at least. Ava had told him Mark’s face had been much like his own, so had the altercation happened here? If Mark had been attacked on his home turf, it didn’t look as though he’d come back to clear up the mess.

Returning to the hall, he retrieved the couple of letters he’d spotted lying behind the door. Both were dated after Ava had said Mark had visited her, which suggested he may not have returned home at all in the interim.

Moving into the bedroom, he found the wardrobe and drawers lying open, discarded clothes scattered about. Either Mark had been packing in a hurry or someone had been searching the place, and perhaps been disturbed by Mark’s arrival.