The policeman guarding the room allows Robin through as he shows his warrant card. Finn’s asleep, but Josie’s still by his bedside, holding tightly to his hand. She looks up when she sees Robin come in.

‘Josie,’ he says gently. ‘Have you had any sleep?’ She looks exhausted.

‘Not a lot,’ she admits.

‘Any change?’

‘No. His confusion is getting worse, if anything. I’m so glad you’re here, Robin.’ Josie looks back to Finn. ‘Do you mind staying with him for a bit? It’s just… I’ve been here all night. I need a break.’

‘Of course, you go. I won’t leave him.’

Robin watches Josie stumble off down the corridor. He studies Finn’s face. Next to him the monitors beep; a clear bag of something drips steadily into his arm. Finn looks so helpless, Robin finds it impossible to believe he’s a murderer.

Finn stirs and opens his eyes. Robin notices the same slightly cross-eyed look, the twitch of his eyeballs as he tries to focus. His upper eyelids droop slightly, making him look half asleep.

‘Where’s Mum?’ he croaks.

‘Gone to get some tea, mate,’ Robin says. ‘She won’t be long.’

Finn sits himself up then pauses, staring into the middle distance. His fingers play with the edge of the blanket on the bed. This man here has nothing in common with Robin’s quick, vibrant friend. This man is dulled, his mind absent.

‘How are you feeling?’ Robin asks after a pause.

Finn stares at him, squinting to focus without his glasses on. ‘Terrible,’ he replies. ‘Do you know what’s going on, Robin? Mum said…’ His voice trails off, as if he’s lost track of what he was going to say.

They hear movement in the corridor, and Robin sees Craig’s face peer through the window in the door.

Robin gets up. ‘I’ll be back in a moment, Finn.’

He goes outside, where Craig is arguing with Josie.

‘I don’t want you in there,’ Josie is saying, trying to block Craig’s entrance into the room. ‘You’re only going to confuse him.’

‘Mrs Mason…’ Craig stops, her arms folded.

A bad feeling runs through Robin’s body. He knows exactly why she’s there.

He looks at the detective inspector. Her face is solemn but resolute. ‘You don’t need to do this now, DI Craig,’ he says quietly. ‘Finn’s not going anywhere. The clock won’t start until he’s in custody, you know that.’

Craig shakes her head. ‘DS Butler, do not interfere.’

‘Give it more time. Look for different evidence. Finn can’t have done this. He can’t have.’

The look on Craig’s face is pitying, and Robin hates her for it. ‘You know as well as I do, we have more than probable cause already. Even if the confession is inadmissible—’

‘Which it is.’