‘Guns, weapons, bombs, chemicals. Something else too: people.’

‘People? You mean trafficking?’

‘No, I mean terrorists. Either UK citizens trying to return surreptitiously or foreign nationals ducking in under the radar.’ Holm took another bite, wiped some cream cheese from his chin. ‘Either way it means another trip to Suffolk.’

‘To see Billie Cornish?’

‘No, to visit Felixstowe and get the lowdown on SeaPak Containers.’ And, Holm thought, if they needed to liaise with Cornish while they were in Suffolk then there was no harm in that, was there?

Silva returned from work to find a black Range Rover standing at the gates to the marina. As she walked across, Fairchild got out.

‘What are you doing here?’ she said before shaking her head. ‘I spoke with my father earlier. I guess that’s why you’ve come.’

‘He suggested I have another try.’ Fairchild raised an eyebrow. ‘He said you had a stubborn streak.’

‘I’d need half a brain to do what you’re suggesting. You’re crazy to think I’d kill Karen Hope.’

‘Crazy? Possibly, but the circumstances dictate the response and in this case there is only one option.’ Fairchild watched a white motor boat speed upriver. ‘Let me try to persuade you again.’

‘Mr Fairchild, I told you before I don’t like games. I was up early and it’s been a long day. I want to have a shower and grab something to eat and veg out.’

‘Let’s make a deal, then. I’ll wait in my car while you have your shower, then I’ll take you for an early dinner. We’ll go over everything again and I’ll give you some additional material to examine at your leisure. If, after further reflection, you want to know more, then all well and good. If the answer is still no, I’ll accept it and you won’t hear from me again. Does that sound like a plan?’

‘It sounds crap.’

‘Rebecca. Do this for your father, OK? And if not him then your mother.’

Silva sighed. One of Freddie’s dogs had slipped out through the gate. Fairchild bent to scratch the animal on the head.

‘OK,’ she said.

They drove up late that afternoon, Holm having booked a room at a Travelodge outside Ipswich so they could get an early start the next day. When he’d called Cornish and told her they were coming he’d been surprised when she suggested he and Javed come round for dinner.

‘It would be good to catch up,’ she said. Holm’s heart skipped a beat but any hopes he had were immediately dashed as Cornish added: ‘We’d be delighted to have you over.’

After the call, Holm thought about the we’d be delighted bit. Cornish and her husband. Happy families. For a moment he was insanely jealous.