With the bathroom remarkably empty of everyday toiletries, and the study minus a laptop or any evidence of work currently going on in there, McNab came to the studied conclusion that Mark Sylvester had taken up residence elsewhere.

He then spent some time checking for bugs, but found none in the usual places, although Mark had ordered Ava not to email or text him, so he’d obviously believed someone was interested in his various social media and mobile accounts.

Including the Met, McNab suspected.

After trying Mark’s mobile number one more time, to no avail, he then called Ava.

She answered almost immediately. McNab explained where he was and what he’d found.

‘If he returned here, after speaking to you, it was only to collect what he needed,’ McNab said. ‘So can you think of anywhere he might have gone, where he would feel safe enough to continue with his investigation?’

‘God, yes,’ she said as though just remembering. ‘There’s an Afghan cafe he visits, run by the family of Abu-Zar, who we met when we were working out of Kabul. Mark helped save the life of Firash, Abu-Zar’s young son, during our time there. He has a room there where he works sometimes. It’s not far from the flat. It’s called—’ She struggled to remember, then came up with a name, which she had to spell out for him. ‘You can’t phone there and ask for him. They’ll deny he exists. You’ll have to visit in person. Even then, they may not let you in.’

36

McNab had taken note of the cafe’s address, then ended the call without further comment, leaving Ava wondering if he intended to check whether Mark was actually at the Afghan cafe.

She knew she couldn’t force the issue. After all, he was a police officer, apparently in London to do something in that capacity. Exactly what, she had no idea. Although she had a strong suspicion it was connected with the investigation into the Orlova.

She contemplated whether she shouldn’t go back down to London herself. See if she could make contact with Mark again.

Mark told you to come back to Orkney and stay here, she reminded herself. He was adamant about that.

Plus she couldn’t leave the farm until Dougie came home.

Ava tried calling her brother’s mobile one more time, even though she’d left a dozen messages already. Maybe Dougie was ignoring her calls and texts in order to punish her? She realized she would be more than delighted if that were the reason. As long as he was okay.

Pocketing her phone, she went outside. The thick haar of last night had cleared, revealing a sky full of scudding clouds, both dark and light.

She’d gone out first thing to check on the cattle, and seeing them grazing the fresh grass had lifted her spirits a little.