‘I don’t know where you got that information from, but it’s incorrect. They were both fired. Why do you want to know why they left?’

‘Who let them go?’ Adrian said.

‘Probably me or Reece. Reece Corrigan. We do most of the hiring and firing. I’m afraid I don’t remember exactly which one of us did the actual firing. You’d be surprised at the sheer volume of turnaround in staff within the construction industry.’

‘When was the last time you saw either Simon Glover or Leon Quick?’ Imogen said, unconvinced by his vague response.

‘Oh, it’s been months. I haven’t seen either one since they left.’

Adrian noted that Chilton hadn’t asked why they were asking questions about the two men. People usually ask, curiosity getting the better of them. It could just be that Chilton didn’t actually give a monkey’s, or maybe it was something else. Maybe he already knew.

‘What time does your boss get in?’ Imogen asked.

‘Today, he won’t be in until after lunch.’

‘We’ll need to speak to him. Could you tell us his address?’ Imogen said.

Jimmy shifted uncomfortably, his calm, collected look turning to one of unease.

‘Ruby on the desk can give it to you. I need to get back to my meeting, if that’s all?’

‘Thank you, Mr Chilton. Don’t leave town; we may need to question you again.’

Chilton nodded and walked over to the desk, instructing Ruby to give them Reece Corrigan’s address. She gave them a suspicious side-eyed look as Chilton spoke.

‘What do you make of that, then?’ Imogen asked Adrian, her eyes fixed on Chilton as he went up the stairs.

Adrian had noticed that his behaviour wasn’t right. It was obvious just from speaking to him that Jimmy was lying and keeping secrets. He didn’t seem to be afraid in the same way that Leon Quick had been, but there was something weaselly about the man.

Adrian turned back to Imogen when Jimmy had finally disappeared from view.

‘God knows. I don’t know what’s going on anymore.’

‘Let’s go get this address and visit the big boss.’

‘Maybe he can shed some light on this situation,’ Adrian said.

‘What are the chances of that?’

Chapter Twenty-Four

I should have known better than to think I could escape, that there was any chance for me to have a normal life. I don’t even know what that is. Everything has been so twisted for so long now that I really think I am where I belong. There is no Hail Mary for me, no last-minute reprieve.