“All right then.” Scott recited the note from memory. “The hangman’s broken tree. Does that ring any bells?”

“Isn’t the note addressed to you?”

“It wasn’t addressed to anybody.”

“But isn’t it for you? Surely you should know what she’s talking about.”

Scott shook his head. “I–”

“Because the thing is, Scott, and I’m sorry if I seem a little abrasive. But the thing is… you should know. Natalie was your wife. One flesh, young man, one flesh. It sounds like you’re telling me there was somebody else in Natalie’s life, somebody you didn’t know about.”

“That’s what I’m trying to–”

“Which would make you partly to blame. At least.” Harvey aimed his finger as though he thought Scott would catch on fire and he liked the idea. “Your wife–”

“What about your bloody daughter?” Scott cut in. “I can’t see a single photo of her. It’s like you’ve wiped her out of fucking existence.”

Harvey threw his hands up. “What a civilised man you are, swearing at your father-in-law.”

“You’re not my father-in-law.”

“That’s right. Because you moved on before your wife was even cold.”

“She’s never going to be cold though, is she? According to you, she’s burning for all eternity.”

“You’re a theologian now as well as a wife killer, is that it?”

Scott leapt to his feet, raised his fist, looming over the old man. Harvey’s mouth dropped open as he stared up. Scott paused when he realised what he was doing; he never normally allowed his temper to flare like that. Big tough man, Scott.

He took a step back, shaking his head. “Please, just tell me if you know what she’s talking about. Was there a place she used to go to as a kid? Maybe she’d meet her friends there?”

“I don’t see why I should tell you anything after the way you’ve behaved.”

“I’m sorry. All right? I’m sorry she’s dead and I’m sorry I didn’t know she was going to do it. I’m sorry I didn’t see the signs and I know it’s my fault. I should’ve known something was wrong. But I didn’t. I failed her.”

“You’re right. You did.”

Harvey’s hand went to his chest, presumably to where his cross lay beneath the fabric of his jumper. He looked almost serene for a moment.

“There’s a tree in Hope Grounds, in the top corner. It’s grown crooked in the wind. It leans against the railing. You can’t miss it. The children would joke that it used to be a hangman’s tree and it broke when a particularly heavy victim was killed there. A rather nasty joke, in my view. Is there anything else?”

“No. Thank you.” Scott walked over to the door, paused. “I loved her, you know. I still love her.”

It was the truth, no matter what had happened. Despite all the… the shit. Scott had always loved Natalie.

“I’m sure you believe that,” Harvey said. “But if you did, she wouldn’t be dead. You would’ve spotted the signs. You would’ve made sure she got help. And now she’s doomed, like you said. You can mock me all you want. It’s the truth. She’s doomed, and it’s all your fault.”