No wonder Richie had wanted to talk to her. Was it weird that he was interested in the case? After all, he grew up here. He had the inquisitive mind of a detective. I know you intimately. The words from the hate mail she had received returned to haunt her. What was that Richie said about her husband? Unfinished business. Could Richie have had a hand in it? He had been to Blackhall Manor. He also had a reason to hate her, given her husband’s behaviour … David had been his sergeant, after all. No. It couldn’t be … She shifted uncomfortably as niggles crept in. Snorting, Sarah turned the ignition of her car. Her imagination was galloping away with her.

She manoeuvred the car from the car park, her thoughts only half on the busy road. There had been a moment between her and her father before she had gone to bed that night. The look he gave her as she said goodnight held nothing but love. She closed her mind to the thought. It was too much to bear.

She turned off towards Pine Heights. This gated community was not quite as grand as Slayton Crest, but still a development of exclusive properties with price tags of half a million pounds upwards. She drove freely through the tall black metal gates. There were no barriers at the entrance of Pine Heights, no CCTV to capture her presence as she passed through.

The girl who answered the door was wearing a pink onesie with a unicorn horn attached to the hood. Her afro hair was tied in cute, pink-ribboned bunches and at about five feet tall, she looked far too innocent to be getting involved with deadly Halloween games. But in a predominantly white community, there was a likelihood that Jahmelia would have done anything to fit in. ‘Hi, Jahmelia, remember me? Is it OK if we talk one more time?’ Sarah said, as she displayed her warrant card. The girl nodded slowly, her gaze returning to the hall as she called for her mum.

‘It’s nothing to worry about,’ Sarah said after Jahmelia’s mother let her inside. She reminded her of someone. Perhaps someone she’d seen in town … ‘Would it be OK if I had another quick word with your daughter?’

‘You’re welcome to, but she’s already spoken to the police several times now.’ Pointing to the left, she led Sarah into the living room. The house was tastefully decorated with cream-coloured furniture and a family portrait on the main wall. Jahmelia was the middle child, with an older and younger brother. According to police files, her father was an architect. Like many people in Slayton, he was employed by Irving Industries.