Robin imagines his boss sitting at home in his study, files in front of him on his impressive polished wooden desk. He’s been to Neal Baker’s house many times, both on a personal basis and in a professional capacity. He’s met his wife, knows his kids. And Robin also knows that Baker’s gruff style doesn’t mean he doesn’t care, far from it.

‘I need a few more days yet,’ Robin says. ‘It’s not looking good.’

‘Craig filled me in.’ Baker pauses, and Robin can imagine him running his hand across his shiny bald head. ‘Do you think he did it?’

‘I… I don’t know. The evidence says he did.’

‘But?’

‘I just can’t believe it. Finn’s not that sort of man. He can’t even kill spiders.’

There’s another long pause. ‘Listen, Robin,’ Baker says, his voice low. ‘I’ve known you long enough to know that your instincts are good. If there’s something off, then follow it. I’ve persuaded Craig to keep you informed. But ask yourself this – are your personal feelings getting in the way of your professional judgement?’

Robin sits up, leaning against the headboard. Are they? There’s a reason you don’t work on cases too close to home – emotions interfere. Is this what’s happening here?

Baker takes the pause as confirmation. ‘And you know that any evidence you find will be inadmissible because of your relationship with Finn. Make sure one of their team is with you at all times.’

‘Yes, guv.’

‘Anyway, Butler, that wasn’t the only reason I called. We need to talk about West.’

Robin frowns. ‘Freya? What about her?’

‘This isn’t the right time, and when you’re back we’ll have a proper conversation, but I’ve noticed her overtime is off the scale.’

‘She mentioned she’d picked up some extra paperwork on the side.’

‘This is more than that, Robin. She hasn’t had a day off in four weeks. It’s got to the point I said I couldn’t pay her for the extra hours and she said that was fine, she’d come in anyway. What’s going on?’

‘I… I don’t know, boss.’ Robin’s confused.

‘Is she trying to get a promotion and thinks this is the way to do it? Because it’s too much. There’s dedication and then there’s burnout. And I think she’s heading for the latter.’

‘I’ll talk to her,’ Robin confirms, and the call’s over.

He looks at the phone in his hand, his thumb hovering over Freya’s number. Fuck, he should have known what she was doing; he shouldn’t need to have Baker telling him. But Freya can be secretive; he knows that from the Jonathan Miller murder, if nothing else. But what is she up to?