Sarah had been ready to disclose the Word document but his last sentence gave her pause. It wasn’t that long ago people were saying the same thing about her. Having mental health issues didn’t make you a murderer, but it did make people view you through a different lens. She thought her response over.

‘Whoever it is hates me with a passion. You saw the letter on the system, didn’t you? They’re using Blackhall Manor as a tool to get to me. If you dig deep into the Midnight Game you’ll see it’s directed at me. Why choose Blackhall Manor? Why choose a fourteen-year-old girl? And why involve me?’

But Richie was looking at her blankly. He didn’t understand.

Sarah sighed. She wasn’t opening herself up to further ridicule. ‘Just don’t be blinkered to other explanations, that’s all I’m saying.’

‘Alright!’ Richie brushed the crumbs off his desk. ‘I’ll keep an open mind.’ But his gaze lingered, and she could see there was something else on his mind.

‘What is it?’ Sarah said, noticing his expression change.

‘It’s about Blackhall Manor. I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you.’

‘Now is as good a time as any.’

Richie nodded towards their DI’s old office.

‘The confessional?’ Sarah’s heart skipped a beat in her chest. ‘What’s so important you want to drag me in there?’

‘C’mon,’ Richie said, rising from his desk. Sarah followed him in. The narrow room was lit by a fluorescent light and flanked by walls of files either side. She rubbed her damp palms against the back of her trousers. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good.

Richie’s face was a picture of awkwardness and concern. She was getting to know his expressions and learning to read between the lines. This wasn’t about Christian. This was personal. She watched him clear his throat as he stood with hands on hips.

‘You know the crawlspace in Blackhall Manor where Libby was held?’

‘What about it?’

‘The search team found a gun silencer covered in cobwebs. It’s not related to this case.’

‘Go on.’

Richie took a step towards her. ‘Sarah … it looks like it’s been there years. CSI found fragments of blood on it. It’s been sent for testing.’

‘Oh God,’ Sarah said softly, feeling like she’d been punched in the chest. This was relating to her family’s case. This was in connection with their deaths. But her father didn’t use a silencer. That much she knew. She forced herself to stay calm. Richie’s hand was warm as he touched her arm.

‘Are you OK?’

Needing to distance herself, Sarah took a step back. ‘Whose blood?’ she whispered. ‘You know, don’t you?’

Richie shook his head. ‘Not yet. But it fits the shotgun that killed your family.’