‘Did you kill Owen?’ Adrian asked.

‘What difference does it make whether I did it or not? He’s dead either way.’

‘I think it would mean something to his mother. She thinks she could have stopped it somehow if she had noticed he was depressed.’

‘Well, she couldn’t have. He wasn’t depressed, and he didn’t hang himself. I did it.’

‘This is not your fault, Finn. They made you do it. I can protect you. I wish I could have protected Caitlin.’

The mention of her name snapped Finn out of it.

‘I bet you do. I bet you wish you could have fucked her, too,’ Finn said, his face flushed with anger again. He held up the knife and stepped closer.

Chapter Fifty

Matford Business Park was two miles south of the city centre, located next to Marsh Barton Trading Estate. It was predominantly in use by car showrooms, industrial units and warehouses, meaning it all looked very similar until you got close. Thankfully the satnav was able to pinpoint the location with relative ease, not something that was a given.

Imogen jumped out of the car and peered into the unit through the small glass window on the door. It seemed to be completely deserted. At this time in the morning the chances of getting hold of anyone to open it were even smaller than at the derelict college building. How inconsiderate of Adrian to go missing and not tell anyone where he was going outside of office hours.

‘This is ridiculous,’ she said as she paced, staring at her phone, waiting for either news that they had found the owner of the unit or for Adrian to call. Wishful thinking in both cases.

‘It’ll be fine, DS Grey,’ DI Matt Walsh said, arms folded, resting against the bonnet of the car.

‘With all due respect, sir, you can’t possibly know that.’

‘Adrian seems like a resilient sort. If he is in trouble, I think he can handle himself.’

‘Well, we can ask him when we find him. I am not in the habit of hoping for the best.’

‘I know you’ve both been through a lot together.’

‘Yes, we have. What’s your point?’

‘The DCI told me that he is a little unorthodox sometimes when it comes to what he does outside of work.’

‘How would she know?’ Imogen tried not to sound as irritated as she was.

‘The investigation after the rape allegation threw up a few things about Adrian’s behaviour outside of work.’

‘And you had access to that, how?’

‘As someone unconnected to both of you, DCI Kapoor wanted my opinion on how to handle the situation. She thought I might be able to offer a different perspective.’

‘But you are connected to both of us now. Have you had access to my files as well?’

‘My point is, irrational behaviour after work is not entirely unusual for DS Miles, is it?’

Admittedly DI Matt Walsh had arrived at an unfortunate time; he probably hadn’t seen them in the best light. Not to mention the fact that all the while Imogen defended Adrian’s behaviour and professionalism, there was the small chance DI Walsh was right. Adrian did go off and get smashed sometimes when the investigation got on top of him. But it was still unlike him to switch his phone off. No, this didn’t feel right. Then, of course, there was the issue of Parker, which she couldn’t talk about with DI Walsh, but she suspected if he knew about Parker he wouldn’t be so relaxed about Adrian’s absence. But whether Adrian liked to admit it or not, Parker was as much Imogen’s responsibility as it was his. Still, none of that mattered right now. Nothing mattered until they located Adrian.