At the property in Oswestry several hours later, they had drilled a number of test holes in the garden and examined the dirt, soil and dust, with no trace of human remains. It had been a long shot, anyway. They couldn’t go around digging up every place the Corrigans had lived or worked. The fact is, Reece Corrigan had ample opportunity and more than enough means to dispose of anyone he wanted. His company had been involved in so many construction jobs over the years that they could have hidden a body on any one of them. The chances were that they would never find Clive Osborne’s remains. But it had been worth a shot. At least they’d tried.

Back at the car they waited for the Parkins to close the door before pulling away. Imogen looked at the clock: it was after ten. Walsh was driving this time. It was only fair and he insisted. Even though she preferred to drive, it was possible he preferred it, too. At least this way she might be able to get some sleep.

‘What now, then?’ Imogen said, trying to cram the work talk in before she nodded off.

‘We’ll have to put some more pressure on Jimmy Chilton, see if he can be a bit more forthcoming with the information.’

‘Do you think that will work?’

‘We already know that he never worked alongside Osborne and so I don’t see how he can help us with that. He might have more information on Glover, though.’

‘He definitely knows more than he is letting on. It always amazes me how many people are complicit in domestic abuse.’

‘It’s hard to get involved, I guess. You don’t want to make things worse. It’s one thing to suspect something and another entirely to out and out accuse someone.’

‘Is that what it is?’ Imogen asked. ‘Or are people just more worried about looking after their own shit?’

‘I suspect there is some of that, too.’

‘It’s so frustrating.’

‘So, now I guess it’s my turn to ask you a question.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You asked me some questions before and now I want to ask you something.’

‘What is it you want to ask me?’

‘What do you think will happen when the DCI figures out that you and DS Miles are in a relationship together?’

At least that answered that question. Maybe she and Adrian weren’t as discreet as they thought they were.

‘Excuse me?’ Imogen responded.

‘That’s assuming she hasn’t figured it out already.’

‘Did she say something to you?’

‘Not to me, but it’s obvious. Maybe she was waiting for it to peter out. These things happen a lot within the force. You’re not the first.’

‘Adrian has volunteered to transfer,’ she said, almost like a boast, as though he should know that they had discussed it like adults already.