After prison, Oliver Marks lived with you. He had nowhere else to go. And you had been the only constant in his life; you and Filippa, but even Filippa had left after a couple years. Not you.

Yesterday he’d told you the truth of what happened. Part of you had already known. Oliver couldn’t kill someone, especially not Richard; killing took guts, guts which Oliver had lacked since day 1. But you’d never expect the extent to which the lies had gone.

You woke up today to find his sleeping bag empty. It was odd—usually he slept in until at least 8:00, and you’d found it comforting to know he’d always be there. As soon as you noticed, you jumped up and flicked your eyes over to his still-on computer. The article open made your heart sink.

• James Farrow found dead…

You swore you were going to tell him. On your own time. When he was ready.

A sticky note was placed haphazardly on the desk.

Took your car, sorry will pay for gas

And that was all.