Sarah knew about the CCTV, given she was the one who viewed it. ‘The driver was wearing a bally, wasn’t he?’ She stood with her mug in hand, unable to hold her tongue. Thanks to Richie texting her updates, she was up to speed on the case.

Yvonne nodded. ‘We found remnants of a balaclava being burned in his back yard.’

Sarah could see where she was coming from. She could testify about the fire on the day she called around. On paper, it seemed a strong case. But she could no longer equate the shy, awkward gamer she’d met with the Midnight Man. She resisted the urge to point these things out. If Yvonne was willing to make an effort, then so should she.

She undid the top button of her shirt. The office was like a furnace. It was either stuffy from the radiators pumping at full blast or freezing as winds of Game of Thrones proportions flooded in through the open windows. She was about to walk away to make herself and Richie a cuppa when Yvonne stepped closer to her. For once, her voice was low.

‘The letter you got makes more sense, now we know who you are. And I’m sorry if I didn’t give you the warmest of welcomes. I hope we can wipe the slate clean.’

She looked at her so earnestly that Sarah forced a smile. ‘Of course.’

‘Good. Because I’ve been talking to Bernard and we’ve both agreed you should be more involved in the case. I want you to observe Abraham’s interview. So log in, check your emails, and make yourself a coffee. Richie will be interviewing in twenty minutes or so.’

‘Thanks,’ Sarah said. ‘Both agreed’, my backside, she thought as she walked to the communal kitchen. It was obvious Bernard was pulling the strings. Yvonne was only nice to her because the DI told her to be. But that was fine by Sarah. She needed all the help she could get.

Sarah followed Yvonne to the recently decorated monitor room. It wasn’t much bigger than a broom cupboard, with slate-grey carpet tiles replacing the worn-out blue. Magnolia walls brightened the windowless space, which was big enough to house a desk, computer monitor, telephone and three chairs. It wasn’t like on TV crime shows with the benefit of a two-way mirror and speakers, but it was an effective way of observing an interview from another room. A microphone and earpiece were also available, should the person monitoring wish to communicate with the officer holding the interview. Today, Richie was interviewing.

Yvonne flicked on the lights.

‘I’m surprised Gabby hasn’t been in,’ Sarah said, pulling the swivel chair back from the desk. She thought her sergeant wouldn’t be able to keep away.