She let out a big sigh and closed her eyes, hoping to drift off for a few minutes. It had been an exhausting day.

Adrian broke the silence. ‘We’ll get the people responsible for this.’

‘Do you ever think that he’s right? Parker?’ Imogen asked.

‘Yes, I do sometimes, but then I remember why I chose to join the police. Because I believe in due process and not vigilante justice. I guess it’s just hard with the things we have seen to be clear-headed sometimes,’ Adrian said.

‘You can say that again.’

‘I feel bad for Caitlin Watts, too. Even after what she did, I don’t hold her responsible, I know she was forced to do it.’

‘Small consolation, I expect,’ Imogen said.

‘The idea of someone deliberately doing that to anyone, making a false claim like that, is hideous. I could almost understand it if it was just one messed-up person looking for attention or something, but to think this was a premeditated and orchestrated accusation made to derail an investigation seems a lot more callous and inhuman.’

‘Which is why we have to get those involved. What’s left of them anyway,’ Imogen said.

‘We will. And if we don’t, Parker will.’

‘How do we keep him out of this?’

‘We don’t. If he gets linked to the investigation through the evidence, then we have no choice but to go after him. He knows that.’

‘But we’re not going to actually look for the evidence?’ Imogen asked.

‘I don’t know about you, but right now I’m glad he’s out there doing what he does. I’m scared that if he wasn’t and if we don’t find whoever is responsible, they would be able to set up shop somewhere else and ruin God knows how many more lives.’

‘Doesn’t it bother you that you’re OK with it?’ Imogen said.

‘It does,’ Adrian said before kissing her again. Obviously in a move to stop her talking. She was fine with that. She pulled him onto her – his weight on her felt good. They had some time before they had to go to work again.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

For the second time in as many days, Imogen and Adrian were visiting the Beacham residence. Russ’s mother looked surprised to see them. More surprised than she had the first time. Imogen knew when someone was keeping secrets; either something had happened since the last time they spoke, or she had neglected to tell them something important and knew they were back to get the information.

Judith Beacham welcomed them into the house and showed them into the lounge again. She seemed almost put out by their reappearance, but that wasn’t going to stop Imogen from getting to the bottom of this. This case was really doing her head in.

‘Is there something you haven’t told us about Russ?’ Imogen said, getting right to the point.

‘Like what? I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Do you have any idea where he is?’ Imogen asked.

‘Can I get you a cup of tea? Or some water maybe?’ Judith said.