Kerr prised the back door open with a gentle twist of her crowbar. It splintered ajar with minimal effort. Again, there was no indication of any altercation or conflict or unlawful entry. The furniture was in place, no broken chairs or upturned tables; the beds were made, and the cutlery was neatly balanced in the drying rack. There was even a carton of soon-to-be expired milk and a plate of leftover casserole in the fridge.

‘Check drawers and cupboards,’ said Manolis. ‘Keep an eye out for anything unusual.’

They worked methodically, moving from room to room, searching through cupboards and drawers, under mattresses, behind curtains. For such a crumbling house, Manolis thought it had been kept meticulously clean and retained a certain warmth.

He scanned the photos on the walls and bookshelves and TV unit. He could see why Molly’s students had adored her – she appeared easy to love, a natural beauty, her face striking yet warm. She would’ve been the subject of many innocent schoolyard crushes. He lingered on one framed photo in particular. She was much younger, perhaps early twenties, her face and eyes bursting with youth and joy. She was wearing a white bikini and doing a star jump on a lush green lawn under a summer sprinkler.

‘Should I check this room?’ Kerr asked tentatively. ‘I don’t really want to. It feels wrong.’

Manolis poked his head around the corner. She was referring to one of the bedrooms. There were posters of Hollywood blockbusters, a stereo and TV, bass guitar in a stand, bar fridge, and a collection of merchandise from a favourite football team. It was Patrick’s room, his man cave, presumably just as he’d left it, regularly dusted and maintained in pristine condition.

‘Yes,’ Manolis replied. ‘Absolutely check it.’

The room had clearly not been touched in years, save for the addition of a small shrine in the furthest corner. A photomosaic was pinned on a corkboard, along with a collection of personal items on a table in front: wallet and keys, necklace and rings, toothbrush and comb. Manolis noticed the room was a degree or two warmer than the rest of the house, likely due to its northerly orientation.

While Kerr reluctantly searched the room, he returned to examining the photos on the walls. There were a number of framed pictures with Patrick, including on their wedding day. He was certainly handsome, thought Manolis, square-jawed and clear-eyed. Molly may have never looked happier, embracing and kissing him in all white. A group shot revealed her parents, the war hero and housewife, and parents-in-law, the tourist park operators. Rex and Vera appeared so much younger and genuinely joyous at their son’s marriage to a much-loved local girl. In many respects, he and Molly appeared the perfect couple.