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sure whether the sound she made next started out as a laugh or a sob. What came out of her mouth was a sort of strangled howl. A second later she was pressed tight against his chest, wailing like a child with cut knees. This! This was why she couldn’t be near Mark Joesbury.
    ‘I know, I know,’ he whispered in her ear, playing the parental role to perfection. ‘No one should have to go through what you did.’
    This had to stop right now. Much more of this and she’d tell him everything. She forced her breathing back under control, gave herself a minute until the sobs subsided, then pulled back. She ran both hands over her face to wipe the tears away before looking up.
    ‘What?’ he said. ‘Still pretending you don’t remember the tower?’
    Look him in the eye
. ‘I’m fine, Sir, really. I just need some more time. Thank you for your concern.’
    Joesbury’s tender moments never lasted long and this one vanished as quickly as it had appeared. ‘I just hope you’re clear about what you do and don’t remember before the trial,’ he said. ‘The last thing we need is a prosecution witness who’s fuzzy about the details.’
    Maybe all he really cared about was that she’d be able to hold it together as a witness. Well, life would be a lot less complicated if that turned out to be the case.
    ‘I won’t let you down,’ she told him.
    ‘I know you won’t. I suppose I should let you get some sleep.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘Come out with me tomorrow night.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Dinner. Nothing heavy – actually there’s someone I’d like you to meet. Would seven be too early?’
    She shook her head. ‘It’s not a good—’ She didn’t get to finish. An electronic beeping came from his jacket pocket. He took a couple of seconds to read the text message. It was the chance she needed. She moved away, as though to give him privacy, edging closer to the conservatory door. She could see his reflection in the glass. He was tapping out a reply with his thumbs and wasn’t itridiculous, to feel cross and jealous that someone had taken his attention away from her, when she really didn’t want it in the first place?
    ‘That was Dana,’ he said, making eye contact with her in the glass.
    Dana. Who else?
    ‘They found the missing kids earlier this evening.’
    Instinct made Lacey turn and look him full in the face, seeking information. Police instinct, which she no longer wanted to be part of her make-up.
    ‘I suppose they’re …’
    He nodded. ‘Bodies were found by Tower Bridge a couple of hours ago. Dana’s on her way to the mortuary with the father.’
    There was nothing to be said. It was the part of the job that was unbearable. Somehow they forced themselves to bear it, because it was what they signed up for. Except she couldn’t any more.
    ‘It’s all going to get ugly,’ he went on, as if she didn’t know that already. ‘Four dead kids, one still missing, no closer to finding out who’s doing it.’
    ‘Are you involved?’
    No, don’t ask questions. It’s not your business any more and information, of any kind, will eat away at those barriers.
    Joesbury shook his head. ‘No, I’m just Dana’s punchbag, someone for her to yell at when it all gets too much. Do you need one of those too?’
    Oh, did she ever. But if she started yelling, how would she ever stop?
    ‘The MIT will have to get bigger now,’ Joesbury went on. ‘Dana could really use your help.’
    ‘I can’t.’
    ‘She can have you transferred – just in an admin role if that’s all you feel up to. When the case is over, you’ll be in a strong position to apply for promotion.’
    She’d run out of words. All she could do was shake her head.
    Joesbury looked at his watch. ‘I’ve got to go,’ he said. ‘Tomorrow?’
    Another shake, eyes on the ground this time.
    ‘OK, you win. You going to make me jump over the wall again or can I go through the gate?’
    Without replying, Lacey took the set of keys from the