‘Did you see her? The night she disappeared?’

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘Why not? It was her last show. Wouldn’t you have wanted to go see her?’

‘It was a Friday night, still tourism season, and I was just starting at the force. Of course I was patrolling.’ Both Lenore and Frank said he’d been there, so why is he lying?

‘What about Mary Anne? Was she there?’

‘You’ve got some gall asking about her now.’

‘Were you the one who told her that we were looking?’ I ask. ‘Is that why she knew? Are you covering something up?’

‘I don’t know if Mary Anne was there, because I wasn’t, and I recommend you don’t ask anyone else about it.’

‘Who’s Baby Blue?’

‘You’re trying to look through a brick wall, Miss Mona. And there’s nothing on the other side of it. I know you think you’re digging and digging and eventually you’ll strike something, but –’

‘We don’t need any more metaphors. It’s fine.’

‘No, it’s not fine, actually. Listen very carefully.’ He’s deadly serious now, his register so low it makes me shiver. ‘I saw you on the cameras. Both of you.’

I try to speak but my usual veneer has cracked and I’m certain everyone can see right through it.

‘There’s a silent alarm that trips if anyone’s around the station out of hours. I came by to have a look but there wasn’t anyone there by that time – or, at least, I didn’t think so. I checked the cameras the next morning. You’re smart, obviously, kid – but not smart enough to realize there were cameras?’

‘I – no, I just assumed there wouldn’t be a reason for anyone to check them. And – then you should be able to explain why Roxy’s case file was empty.’

His words are heavy and staccato. ‘You have committed a federal offence. You broke into a police station to look for confidential documents, a crime for which I’ve just got a confession. Do you understand?’

The blood drains from my face.

‘You think you’re on some grand adventure, and you think you’re cleverer than you are. I understand. I understand that maybe you think you’re a bit brighter than everyone else and that what you’re doing here is important.’ I’m embarrassed; he’s not talking to me and Ellis, just me. ‘I’d even say I felt like you too, when I was a kid. I think Roxy would’ve liked you and she didn’t like anyone.’ Despite everything, all this, I swell with pride. She didn’t like anyone. Me neither. ‘But you need to watch yourself.’

‘People keep telling me that,’ I say.

‘Maybe because it’s true.’

‘Thank you. I’m sorry. I know you’re doing us a favour.’