Laura narrowed her eyes. ‘With what in mind?’

‘Perks. All those little extras he might use to manipulate the people around him. He’s a master deceiver, a mind-bender, and to my mind should be refused all such options. He surrendered his rights to any privileges when he chose to terrorise a whole town and murder innocents.’

Laura had rarely heard Sam speak so harshly. ‘He has a whole-life tariff, doesn’t he? He’ll never get out.’

‘He won’t. It’s life, without any possibility of parole or conditional release.’ He paused. ‘But others he comes into contact with might, and there are suggestible folk that work in those places who, out of altruism and an honest desire to help, could just fall under his spell. We must never lose sight of the fact that Ashcroft can be a charismatic and very, very convincing liar. He only needs one admirer on the outside and we could all suffer the repercussions. It’s something you’ve considered yourself, isn’t it? You know exactly how dangerous he is.’

She was forced to agree. ‘I never mention it to Jackman, but Ashcroft is always there, waiting in the shadows. I’ll never forget what he did. The others seem to have moved on, relieved that Ashcroft got his just desserts. They’re getting on with their lives, they’re happy again. Maybe it’s the nature of my work, unravelling the skeins of people’s twisted thoughts every day. I cannot let him go.’

Sam leaned across and patted her hand gently. ‘Then let’s keep this between ourselves, Laura my dear. Let the others enjoy the freedom of knowing he’s safely confined and cannot harm them. We can always talk to each other if we feel anxious.’

‘You will tell me everything you find out, won’t you, Sam?’

‘Of course I will. In any case, I’m probably reading far too much into it. It doesn’t help that I’m personally involved, I know.’ His face darkened. ‘Sometimes I wish there’d been a different outcome.’

He didn’t need to explain. Laura had often wished the same. Yes, it would have been better if Ashcroft had died.

She glanced at her watch. ‘Oh dear, my midday session. I’d better get ready.’ She collected up the mugs. ‘Before you go, Sam, I’ve got a tricky patient at present. Do you think we could discuss him sometime?’

‘Of course! Can you give me a general idea of the problem? Maybe I can have a think about it, or swot it up for you?’

‘Well, if you don’t mind. It’s somnambulism. Not just sleepwalking, and it’s not a youngster who’ll grow out of it. It’s an adult man who’s scared to death because not only does he go out of the house, but he drives his car while he’s asleep. He’s a GP referral and I suspect there’s a complicated history there, but he’s not ready to share it yet.’ She put the mugs in the sink. ‘Could you find some case histories for me?’

‘Interesting. Yes, I’d be pleased to, and we’ll talk soon. Now, I need my ice cream fix.’ He gave her a hug.