‘You’ve been missing for nine weeks – you know that, we know that. You must have a compelling reason. What and who are you hiding from?’
Her thin rouge lips parted slightly. After several moments she mumbled: ‘I can’t… tell you. I mustn’t…’
Sant dragged a leather pouffe to a spot close to Chloe without invading her space, and perched below her level.
‘Chloe, we mean you no harm. You’ve done nothing wrong.’ Capstick scratched his head and threw Sant a confused look. ‘We’d just like your help in getting to the bottom of these… difficulties you’ve faced.’
She clenched her hands to her mouth as if praying for forgiveness: ‘It’s no good – nothing good can come from… anything.’
‘But you’re a good person, Chloe, and DC Capstick and I are good people too. Bad people are out there and it’s our
