Nell went back to watching the Grahams’ house, her eyes following the slope of the garden downwards to where it met a small, thin stream. She was about to look away when a shaft of moonlight escaped the clouds and she saw it hit silver objects hanging from a tree whose branches curled downwards, as if to protect what lay underneath. What were they? Bells? Did this mean anything? Frustrated, she focused the binoculars on the neatly tended space below the tree. Four tiny silver crosses sat in a row, equally spaced; whatever lay under them must have been equally small. Shells covered the soil on top of each one.

Before the moonlight could be pushed back behind the clouds, she handed the binoculars to Paul.

‘Look, beneath the tree, end of the garden. What do you see?’

He followed her finger, pausing when he reached the spot. ‘Graves?’

‘That’s what I thought. Baby-sized graves.’

‘Grim.’ Paul moved slightly to the right, chewing his bottom lip in concentration. He trained the binoculars back on the house. ‘Do we risk entry?’

Could she risk it? The house was in blackness and they didn’t even have a floor plan. They couldn’t enter without knowing the exit routes, and that garden would be a nightmare to contain: no light; access across the stream. And they had no idea what Eve had done with Joanne. Entering too quickly could put her in greater danger. But for how long could she justify waiting?

Nell reached for the radio. ‘Control?’

‘Go ahead.’ Bremer’s voice echoed around the room.

‘What are the chances of a police helicopter on our address? This darkness won’t allow a safe entry. I’d rather know what we’re up against than go in blind.’

‘I’ll get on to the duty inspector, see what I can do. No other sightings?’

‘None. Is Carla there?’

‘Carla here. Go ahead.’

‘Carla, can you do a risk assessment on Eve? See if there’s anything we need to worry about.’

‘OK, although I’ve researched the hell out of her and nothing suggests she’s used violence before – not on our systems, anyway.’

‘Can you just double-check?’ They’d be wearing stab vests, but it was preferable to know what you were up against before it came at you.

‘I’ll have a dig, see what I can find,’ Carla replied before the radio went dead.

Nell put the radio back on the nightstand. Nothing to do now but wait.

The radio crackled. Nell let go of her phone.

‘Sergeant Jackson?’ Bremer joined them in the room again.

‘Jackson here. Go ahead, Control.’

‘I’ve got the helicopter for you. Five minutes. It’s the best I could do. It will be with you in fifteen.’

Five minutes wasn’t long, but if they shone the light right, it might be enough.