‘It’s connected to that woman called Claire and the boy, Leon. Andrea was doing all she could to get them under her spell,’ said Max. ‘So maybe she wasn’t directly responsible, but certainly indirectly. Sir, would you give your permission for us to contact your solicitor and make enquiries as to her whereabouts? We would need a warrant, which might not be granted, as she is not a suspect, but she might agree to talk to us voluntarily if her solicitor suggests that it’s in her best interests.’

‘Of course. Anything I can do to help. I still use the same firm, even after I moved away. It’s Rigby and Pattinson in Queens Lane, Saltern. I deal with Aaron Rigby.’

‘We’ll see this Lexi Freeman first,’ Max said, ‘but at least we’ll have another avenue to try if she’s no longer around. And you can’t remember anything that was said about Claire or Leon?’

Becker shook his head. ‘Naturally, I’ll give it some thought, but I can’t think of anything at the moment. I’m sorry.’

Max and Charlie gave him their cards and told him to ring at any time if he thought of something or heard anything about his ex-wife. Becker stood up. ‘If you find her, I don’t want to know where she is. At one time I might have done anything to see her again. Now she’s the last person I want to meet. Good luck, Officers, and if you do talk to her, don’t be fooled. She’s not to be trusted for a moment.’

Max smiled. ‘Thank you, Mr Becker, we’ll bear that in mind.’

* * *

At eleven in the morning, Laura Archer received a call. The distressed voice sent shivers through her. Oh God! What now? Freddie Shields’s voice was shaking. He seemed to be on the verge of tears, if he wasn’t crying already.

‘Please can I talk to you, Dr Archer? I don’t have anyone else. Please?’

Stifling a groan, Laura managed a calm, ‘What’s happened, Mr Shields?’

‘I can’t talk on the phone. Can I come and see you? I know it’s not correct protocol or whatever you call it, but I’m desperate, and I mean it.’

Laura closed her eyes and thought quickly. ‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll see if I can rearrange my appointments. No promises, but I’ll try.’

After she’d hung up, she rang Sam Page and told him about Shields’s call.

‘Tell him to get to the mill in an hour’s time,’ said Sam. ‘I’ve sorted everything here, so I’ll lock up and get to you straightaway. It’s a good opportunity to see this patient of yours while he’s undergoing one of his episodes.’