Jake took hold of Annie’s arm to lead her away. ‘Oh she will, don’t you worry. She likes nothing better than a hot drink and a chat. She’ll do anything to get out of work will this one.’

Annie frowned at him but followed him out. They heard the locks being turned as the house was made secure once more.

Neither of them spoke until they got into the car.

‘Bloody hell, I was worried sick. I was on the phone for ten minutes. By the time the conversation had finished I’d convinced myself that bastard was hiding in there and the pair of you were dead.’

‘Why would he be hiding in there? He won’t know Miss Beckett. You don’t get any better do you, Jake?’

‘How can I, working with you? I should be bald by now. Thank God I got my mum’s hair and I’m wearing my lucky socks.’

‘Eh? Oh never mind. Sorry, she’s lonely and scared about where that Seamus guy has disappeared to. Right, where next?’

‘Dinner time. I’m starving. Let’s go back and see what our top team have found out. For all we know they might have already caught the bastard while we’ve been out doing care in the community.’

Annie hoped to God they had, but Will would have been the first to phone her if that was the case. Still, a bit of wishful thinking couldn’t hurt. They went back to the station, neither of them speaking. Annie was wondering how she could find the monster that lived in Martha Beckett’s house and Jake was wondering how he could find the monster called Henry Smith. Annie wanted to tell him about Beckett House but she knew it would freak him out. He had enough to worry about with being her bodyguard once more. So did Will. In fact he was under even more pressure than the rest of them because the powers-that-be would want to blame someone for Henry Smith being let out to kill again, even though it wasn’t anything to do with Will. But she knew he would blame himself, and God forbid Henry did get hold of her. She shivered so violently Jake jumped.

‘Jesus, are you okay?’

‘Yes, sorry. Cold shiver. I think Henry Smith may have just walked over my grave.’

‘That’s not funny.’

‘I know it isn’t. I’m not joking.’

She turned to look out of the window so he couldn’t see the tears that were filling her eyes. Life was so unfair. She hadn’t asked for any of this and as far as she knew hadn’t done anything to cause his obsession with her. She felt like a complete girl and that wasn’t a good feeling for a woman who was more used to hearing herself described as being tough as old boots. She wanted Henry to die. Why did men like him never get hit by a bus when they were crossing the road?

Jake parked in front of the station, jumping out of the car before she could. He looked around, then opened her door. Climbing out, she felt as if she could sleep for a week, she was so tired. She followed him up the steps and in through the small side door that led into the station. It was busy in there. Annie had never seen it so full. The majority were PCSOs who had just about covered the whole town with their house-to-house inquiries. Annie smiled to see her old colleagues from Barrow and went straight to them for a catch-up.

Jake went to find Cathy. He heard a couple of the PCSOs whispering about Annie and glared at them. He wouldn’t have anyone talking about her in front of him. He nodded at them, glad to see they had turned the colour of beetroot. He liked to gossip as much as the next person but this was different. It involved him and, if he was man enough, he’d also admit how scared he was. He had far too much to lose. Annie and Will were his closest friends. His life was complete with little Alice, and Alex was his soul mate. He didn’t want to do anything that would put them in any danger, but he also couldn’t shut his eyes and pretend none of this was happening, because it was. He knocked on Cathy’s door and walked straight in.

‘Just come in then. Don’t wait until you’re invited, will you?’

‘What was that you said last night? If I fed you I wouldn’t have to call you ma’am or boss again – ever?’

‘Oh yes, totally forgot and, for the record, last night I wasn’t myself. Any news?’

‘Nope, that’s what I was coming to see you about. We’ve done two caravan parks up to now. The last one we did, the manager was a complete cock. Although that might have been because I arrested him a few weeks ago. He wasn’t remotely interested, and I don’t know, but I think we should send in some plain-clothes officers to have a look around. Apparently Smith is hiding out in a brown caravan next to a hedge with a hole in the middle.’

She cocked one eyebrow at him. ‘Really? How do you know this?’

‘Classified. Well, it sort of came from one of Annie’s friends.’

‘Which friend? How come they know that but can’t tell her which site it’s on?’

‘Because it was one of her special friends.’

‘What – one with learning difficulties?’

‘No, do I really need to spell it out for you?’

Cathy rubbed her head, confused. She was starting to get the headache from hell. She nodded.

‘You know she’s gifted, psychic, whatever you want to call it? Well, it was one of her friends from the other side.’

She shut her eyes while she digested what he had just told her. Today was going down the shit pan quicker than most.

‘A ghost?’

‘Well, if you put it like that, yes, I suppose it was.’

‘Did it occur to you to ask said ghost to get an actual address?’

‘Now you’re taking the piss, boss.’ He emphasised the boss.

‘Sorry, I’m just stressed and tired. I’m worried about you lot and I’m terrified that bastard will get one of us before we have a chance to arrest him.’

‘Whoever it was could only give us cryptic clues, but it’s a start and better than what we had. Anyway, we’re meeting at my house again. I don’t want Annie and Will staying in their house in the middle of nowhere – miles from the nearest police patrol or me – should they need any assistance. At least we live in the middle of a busy town and there’s more chance of a swift response. Alex is cooking a roast dinner. He said we all need to keep our strength up, so you and Kav are welcome, as long as you stop acting like a bear with a sore head.’

‘Thanks, that would be great. Georgia is stopping at her dad’s until this is over. That conversation was almost as draining as sticking your finger into an electrical socket. He’s a complete bastard and I wonder why she’s such a bitch at times – obviously gets it from him.’

Jake nodded in agreement; he didn’t like the man either because he was such a pompous, cheating, back-stabbing prick. ‘Right, sorted then. Is there any update?’

She shook her head.

Chapter Twenty

Megan got into the van in a good mood for a change. Henry had almost had a panic attack when he saw the number of yellow stab vests wandering through the town. They were in pairs. Each pair had a clipboard. He didn’t look at them after that and tugged his baseball cap down as far as it would go. Maybe he should grow a beard. But wouldn’t they be expecting him to do something like that? Sometimes being blatantly obvious was the best disguise. Look at Megan. She was working in the busiest café in Bowness, which also happened to be the one Annie used a couple of times a week. She was chattering on and on about how stupid the police were, about how stupid Annie was, and then she dropped the bombshell, which made Henry want to stop the car and smash her face against the dashboard.

‘She came in today, looking very flustered. I even talked to her, but the best part was I touched her hand. Just think, Henry, while you were whacking off thinking about her this afternoon, I let my fingers brush against her skin, ever so delicately. And do you know what’s even better? She shivered at my touch. Maybe she’s a closet dyke. Imagine me and her naked. I bet you’d like to watch that.’