‘Yep, Emad filled me in,’ he said, when Gemma had finished. ‘Let’s get a trace on Meredith’s mobile. Leave it with me – I’ll get an oral authorisation from the Sup. It’ll only show the nearest tower, obviously, but at least we should be able to tell if she’s still on site. I’ll get straight back to you when I hear. What are you going to do now?’

Good question, Gemma thought. ‘Wait in the car for a bit, I guess.’

‘Not sure you should be there on your own, Meeks,’ he said, which was the closest thing he’d ever said to her that expressed concern and affection. She’d certainly never heard him call her by her nickname. Was he worried, or just mellowing?

‘Do you think I should come back?’

‘Hang fire for a few minutes, let’s see if she’s on the premises. If she is, I’ll send some backup over. Wait – isn’t there still someone up there on duty at the ice house? I’ll call you right back.’

Gemma trudged back up the steps to the car park, feeling in a strange sort of limbo. She was just opening her car door when her phone rang again. It was Emad.

‘Hi, Gemma,’ he said diffidently. ‘How’s it going?’

‘She wasn’t on the boat. Pete’s neighbours dropped her back home earlier – but she’s not here. I’m really worried now.’

Emad cleared his throat, a sudden harsh sound in Gemma’s ear, at such odds with his gentle voice that it made her recoil. ‘Um. Actually – I’m outside the staff gate. Do you know the code? Thought you could do with some company.’

Gemma laughed, half relieved and half annoyed. ‘You’re off duty!’

‘Yeah. Nothing better to do. I called in and asked them to create a CAD for me up at Minstead, in case you needed backup, so I’ll take the flak if it turns out to be nothing.’

She gave him the gate code, realising that she did feel happier that she wasn’t there on her own and that there was a CAD in place – Computer Aided Dispatch. She would have done it herself if necessary, but this covered them both, and frankly, didn’t make her the one who’d gone a bit OTT.

Her phone beeped. Mavis again, texting her:

Tried to call but line busy. Just seen Emad’s CAD. Cordon at ice house now lifted – forensics complete – glad he’s there instead. I’ll let you know if I get a trace on MV’s phone. Keep me posted pls. Mark.

Two minutes later she heard Emad putter down the gravel path on his moped. She couldn’t help smiling when she saw his face loom into her eyeline, framed by the helmet.

‘I’m not in uniform,’ he said anxiously, kicking down the moped’s stand and pulling off his helmet.