‘I know I’ve been a bad person, but I really did try to help, you see—’

‘You let me believe it was Carl spying on me. I don’t call that helping.’

‘I hoped you might begin putting it all together, with my hints and encouragement to find evidence. I couldn’t very well tell you straight up that my husband was the one watching you. Can you imagine?’ She begins twirling the corners of her cardigan again, her eyes down, avoiding mine. ‘Carl had been caught out using houses on his list to conduct his affairs. Wayne threatened to blow it all wide open – tell his wife. Carl’s wife is the stepdaughter of developer.’

‘Yes, I’d found that much out.’

‘Right, well, unfortunately for Carl, Wayne told him his dick would be cut off and stuffed in his mouth and he’d get none of the promised money unless he did something for them. Threatened with that and knowing everything he’d worked for would be gone in one fell swoop, he said he’d do whatever needed to be done. To placate them, stop his lies coming out, Carl had to get your house on his list and then manipulate you into selling to them, using the open-house event initially so Wayne could get inside to check things out. Then Carl made up a “second viewing” so Wayne could set up the equipment.’

A gasp involuntarily escapes me. The underhand creep! ‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this,’ I say.

‘Carl was their puppet, then.’ Davina continues telling her story as though it’s the audio version of one of her books. ‘As well as having a key at one point, Wayne used the loft space – went between your property and next door’s when necessary. Did you realise the estate’s old-style terraced houses had linking lofts? Anyway, he made me get close to you too, so between us we could figure out what you were thinking. And I could warn him if you were getting suspicious. When you stubbornly refused to sell to the developers, they forced Wayne to up the ante. Do more to frighten you. I’m so sorry. The more I tried to fight against him, the worse things became. I really wanted to be your friend – that’s all I’ve ever wanted.’

‘It was Wayne who broke my doorbell?’

‘No, that was Carl. He obviously didn’t want you cottoning on to what he was doing – taking the same women in and helping Wayne and the developers get inside …’

‘Jesus, Davina. My kids were put at risk. How could you let this happen?’

‘He wouldn’t have hurt anyone.’

‘He already did,’ I shout. Disgust courses through me. ‘But if that belief helps you sleep at night …’

Silence descends in the car and my mind wanders to Nick. To the abductor. And to Richard. I check my watch.

What’s going on? Richard has been too long.