Molly wanted to say yes, wanted to say, he’d be home any minute. But they were the police; lying to them would achieve nothing. ‘I haven’t seen him since last night. In the hotel. The Hyde Hotel. But he’s left there now.’

‘You said he’d be home soon,’ Carstairs replied.

‘Well, I lied,’ she snapped at him. ‘I don’t know where he is. He left the hotel early this morning–’

‘Without paying his bill?’ Fanshawe interrupted.

‘Without paying his bill,’ she said, her voice thick. ‘A seven-thousand-pound bill, if you want the gory details. I have until noon tomorrow to find a way to pay that, or they’ll be forced to act. By that’ – she gave a grim smile – ‘they mean bring in you lot. Our credit cards are maxed out, so I’m really not sure what I can do.’

‘I know the manager of the Hyde Hotel,’ Fanshawe said, surprising her. ‘Harriet Summers. She’s a reasonable woman, I’ll have a word with her, tell her you need a bit more time.’

That would be one thing off her mind. ‘Thank you,’ Molly said, genuinely grateful. ‘I’m going to sell the car, it’ll bring in enough cash to sort out a few things including the hotel, but I have to organise getting it back first. It’s in Wandsworth pound.’ She held a hand up. ‘Don’t ask!’ He’d hear the story from Harriet, she’d no doubt, but she didn’t want to have to tell them and see Carstairs sneering at her stupidity.

‘If you’re going to sell it to a garage,’ Fanshawe said, ‘do a deal with them, get them to pick it up themselves.’

‘Good idea, thank you, I’ll do that.’ That would make things easier; she could ring the BMW dealership where they’d bought it and get that process started. The sooner she had money to pay off some of the debts, the happier she’d feel. Happier? At least she was still able to kid herself.

Fanshawe looked at Carstairs and tilted his head slightly towards the door.

Molly’s heart fell as they stood. Despite the obnoxious Carstairs, she found their presence reassuring. When they left, she’d be alone, and she had no idea where Jack was or when he’d come home. Trying to keep the fear from her voice, she said, ‘Until you find whoever it is, I’m still in danger, aren’t I?’