‘Listen, I’ll give Ruby at HQ a call and she can email over their personnel files for you. It’s been a few months and so I really can’t remember anything particularly insightful about them off the top of my head.’

Imogen looked at the couple in front of her. She wondered why he hadn’t reported his wife missing. She also wondered why Angela was pretending she didn’t know them. Their charade was well-rehearsed and if Imogen didn’t know what she did, then she wouldn’t even question it. What this did tell her was that she couldn’t trust a word that came out of Reece Corrigan’s mouth.

‘Just a few more questions,’ Imogen said. ‘Was there a specific incident that led to their dismissal, do you remember?’

‘It was cumulative, you know? Sloppy work and insubordination. It will be in the files. We got sued a few years ago by a disgruntled employee that we let go, so now we log every single altercation and incident. The employees have to sign a form for every single incident or accident that occurs on site.’

Imogen noticed that Adrian was unusually quiet beside her. A part of her wanted to reach out and hold his hand. She wasn’t sure why, but this interaction confirmed some kind of domestic abuse to her. Even if Reece didn’t do it himself, he knew. Corrigan knew she had disappeared and he knew what kind of state she was in when she got back home. Reece Corrigan was not an innocent bystander in this.

‘I’ll just go grab a bagel or something for breakfast while you finish up.’

Angela smiled and disappeared into the back of the house, presumably where the kitchen was.

‘Were there any other employees you got rid of for similar reasons?’

‘Loads. Over the years we’ve got through a large volume of staff. I like to give people a second chance, so I employ some ex-cons. I also employ a lot of young ’uns who think it’s going to be an easy job, but when they start, they find it too much for them physically. Ruby can compile a staff list for you, if you think that will help. I’ll get her to send it over with those other contact details. Unless there’s anything else you need to see?’

‘We may need access to your accounts. We’ll get in touch if and when we have enough for a warrant,’ Imogen said.

‘No need for a warrant; I am happy to provide you with them. I’ve got nothing to hide,’ Corrigan said.

‘Give us a call if you think of anything else.’