‘No. Drawing a blank there too.’

He nodded.

‘And you’re sure there’s nobody Eve knows, past or present, called Mary?’ she asked.

Gerry suddenly looked sad.

‘Gerry?’

‘No, no one. Or if there was, she’s long gone.’

‘So, there was someone?’

Gerry shook his head but before she could press him further, Bremer opened his door, looking thunderous. He strode over to the desk, glaring at Gerry.

‘How can we help you, Sergeant?’

Gerry looked surprised. ‘Just popping in to say hello to Carla, sir. You know us sergeants, always wanting to look after the team.’

‘She’s not on your team, she’s on mine. Are you suggesting I don’t look after her?’

Her? The cat’s mother? Carla fought the urge to intervene. Bremer looked as though he was going to blow at any moment and she’d rather not be the focus if he did.

‘Not at all, sir.’ He stood, smiled down at Carla and said, ‘I’ll see you later. Hope the coffee helps.’ He glanced at the wall behind him. Bremer moved to block his view.

‘Sergeant, please leave.’ Bremer still hadn’t looked at Carla but anger radiated off him.

Gerry turned to face him with a look Carla had never seen before. ‘Is there a problem with me asking how an investigation involving my wife is progressing?’

‘Yes.’

Gerry put his coffee down. ‘I’m getting the sense you think we’re involved somehow? All I did was give you letters that might assist you. If you can’t find out how they could help the case, I would suggest you try looking a little bit harder.’

‘Your wife is involved in the death of Connor O’Brian. I repeat, please leave.’

‘Involved?’ Gerry held Bremer’s stare. ‘How is she involved other than by doing her job?’

When Bremer didn’t reply, Gerry continued. ‘Do you have evidence or are you just fishing?’

Carla stood. ‘Gerry, please. Leave it.’

He didn’t look at her. ‘Come on, tell me what evidence you have?’

Bremer stepped closer to Gerry. ‘I gave you an order to leave.’

‘And I’m not following it.’

‘I will remove you if you fail to leave.’

They stood, face to face, for what felt like minutes before Gerry grabbed his coffee.

He left without saying a word and after he’d gone, they remained silent. Carla was shaking. She’d never seen Gerry like this before. What the hell had happened? He knew Eve was involved in the case because he’d damn well told his wife to give Carla the letter that indicated she was. So what the hell had made that kick off?

Bremer turned to face her, before sitting down next to her. ‘Carla—’

‘I couldn’t stop him,’ she interrupted. ‘He just walked in. I couldn’t tell him to leave.’