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When Poe slipped back into the room it was as if nothing had changed. Bradshaw’s eyes were still glowing, still darting between her computer and the books he’d brought her. And Linus was still hovering over her shoulder, still interested in what she was doing. He looked up guiltily when he saw Poe watching him.

Poe handed Bradshaw the copy of Seductive Poison. She turned to the back and ran her finger down the index.

‘No,’ she said, throwing it on to a pile of discarded books by her feet. She reached to her side and handed Poe a piece of paper. ‘I have a new list, Poe.’

‘Do you actually need these, Tilly, or is this just your way of getting rid of me?’

‘If I wanted you to leave, Poe, I would tell you.’

‘Yes, you would,’ he agreed. ‘How are you getting on?’

‘I’ve discovered several things that the alphanumeric tattoos are not, so that’s good.’

Poe nodded. Bradshaw said there was value in scientific failure, in the cul-de-sacs, in the dead ends. Failure was the necessary and positive characteristic of science; without it there could be no discovery. He wondered if Linus understood this. The spook was a millennial; a generation that had grown used to instant gratification. Watching Bradshaw methodically check and recheck data, only for it to be another dead end, must have been maddening for him.

The new list only had two books on it. Poe tucked it into his wallet.

‘Both are at Withnail Books in Penrith, Poe,’ Bradshaw said. ‘Make sure you get the editions I’ve specified.’

‘Yes, boss.’

‘I’m not your—’

‘It’s just an expression, Tilly,’ Poe said. ‘I’ll grab us something to eat while I’m out. What do you fancy?’

‘There’s a smoothie bar not far from the bookshop, Poe. I’d like a spinach and kiwi fruit blend, please.’

‘That sounds awesome,’ Poe said. ‘Snoopy, what do you want?’

‘Same, please.’

‘Get your coat then.’

‘I’m staying here.’

‘You’re coming with me.’

‘Why?’

‘Because the way you’re staring at Tilly is making me uncomfortable,’ Poe said. ‘It’s creepy. Also, I’m not trying to carry three smoothies with two hands.’

Bradshaw looked up. ‘You? You’re having a smoothie, Poe?’

Poe shrugged. ‘I’ll have an ice-cream milkshake. I might even go to the Chopping Block and get one of their meat and potato pies. Been ages since I’ve had one of them.’

‘Poe, you have a Chopping Block meat and potato pie every single time we’re in Penrith. And every single time you say it’s ages since you’ve had one.’ She shook her head in disgust. ‘Honestly, your epitaph is going to read “Washington Poe: Died of a Saturated Fat Overdose. What An Idiot”. Would a salad kill . . .’

She trailed off and frowned. Her face went momentarily blank.

‘What is it, Tilly?’

‘What is what, Poe?’ she said, distracted.

‘You stopped talking.’

‘I did?’

‘You did.’

‘I’m probably hungrier than I thought,’ she said. She turned back to her makeshift desk and opened a new window on her laptop and began typing. ‘I’ll need those books now please, Poe. And Linus, please go with him and make sure he only buys one pie. Thank you.’