‘Photos,’ she said. Her voice cracked. ‘So many that it looks like wallpaper. Only creepy. Really creepy bloody wallpaper.’

There was a sudden cough and the sound of a wet wheezing from the floor below.

‘Right, I’m reaching in to free up the cloth. Don’t be scared if it slips a bit.’

‘This isn’t normal,’ Meggy continued. ‘Some of these photos are really old. And I think he’s scribbled on some of them. Crossed the faces out. There are layers of them. New photos stuck over old ones.’

‘We can’t do this now, Meggy. Elspeth needs you. We have to concentrate.’

‘But it’s the whole room. And I think … I see photos of me. Lots of them. Like maybe hundreds. How long has he been watching us?’

Ice flushed through Xavier’s veins. His fingers were suddenly giant sausages working against his will, and the old pain was back in his legs where he’d had no sensation for years. Nausea coated his tongue and threatened to overwhelm him. He tried to block out Meggy’s words as he worked on the sheet.

‘They’re in sections. I’m only on one wall, but there are photos of other girls there, too.’

The end of the sheet in his hand suddenly twisted dramatically.

‘Meggy, whatever you’re doing, stop. You have to stay still. This won’t hold your weight if you move around.’

‘No, I need to see another wall,’ she insisted.

‘You’ll fall!’

‘I see that other woman. The one who got killed in her bed. Oh my God. Oh shit, shit, shit. He killed her, too.’

The door opened.

‘You’re right, I did,’ Fergus said. ‘Not deliberately. Angela didn’t deserve to die.’ He walked into the room and stood over Elspeth. ‘This bitch does, though. She owes it to me, for the lying, the deceit. Fucking around behind my back.’

‘She’s not your wife!’ Meggy yelled, swaying on the thinning threads. ‘Elspeth hates you.’

‘Meggy, stop,’ Xavier said.

‘Oh, don’t stop now. We’re just about to have a very honest conversation. Why don’t you come down?’

Chapter Thirty-One

‘Nick Bowlzer has been taken into custody, but it’s on pretty spurious grounds. I’m not expecting him to be charged with any offences,’ Baarda told Connie.

‘Shame. The world would be a much better place if being a complete dick was made illegal.’

‘The problem might be finding a judge to pass sentence who wouldn’t be guilty of gross hypocrisy.’

‘Did Bowlzer offer any stunning insights as to why he chose to put Elspeth’s life in even more danger?’ Connie asked.