Gemma interrupted him. ‘She was really freaked out when Mark – DS Davis recognised her.’ Flustered that she’d spoken over him, she rushed on: ‘And she’s got this massive scar – well, hole thing, really – on the back of her hand that she’s very cagey about. She just says she doesn’t like to talk about it and clams up. I Googled Cohen, and it turns out she quit the band really suddenly in’ – she consulted her notes – ‘ninety-five. When they were at the height of their success. She seems scared, and paranoid. I was wondering…’

Mavis was shooting daggers at her, presumably thinking that it should have been him who imparted this information. She gritted her teeth, hoping that the blush she could feel sweeping across her face wasn’t too obvious to everybody else. She willed her voice to stay firm as she continued:

‘…I was wondering if I could go and be her FLO for a few days? Partly because she’s in a state; she lives in this isolated cottage in the grounds of Minstead House, and I’m worried, if someone’s trying to target her, she could be next. But also so I can really get to know her better. Like, why is she working in a gift shop and renting a tiny cottage? She must have made a fortune during her time with the band. She might tell me whatever it is she doesn’t want us to know…?’

Lincoln coughed again, and Mavis pressed his lips together in a tight line of disapproval. Gemma stared at her hands, willing them to agree so that she didn’t look like a complete twat in front of everybody. It had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, to get herself involved in the investigation, but it wasn’t normal to assign Family Liaison Officers to anyone outside of family members of the victims.

‘Are you an experienced FLO?’ Lincoln scrutinised her, his head on one side.

‘Yes, boss. I’ve had more than twenty placements over the past five years. I’ve already met Meredith. I’m sure I could establish a good rapport with her. I know it’s not standard procedure to stay over, but under the circumstances I think it would be a good idea…?’

She didn’t dare to look around to see the scowl she knew would be on Mavis’s face at this. Meredith hadn’t warmed to him at that first interview, and he’d acted as if it was a personal affront ever since. And now she was suggesting that she broke official FLO protocols.

‘She’s got her brother. Why doesn’t he go and stay with her?’ said Mavis. ‘And surely she’s working during the day. What are you going to do, hang around her shop all day?’