As well he might, poor sod, the inspector thought grimly. Jennings hastily shot to his feet. ‘Superintendent Finch, sir,’ he barked out awkwardly. ‘Er … won’t you sit down?’

The superintendent nodded and sat very carefully and precisely in the chair in front of the inspector’s desk, a clear indication of how rigidly he was controlling himself. The superintendent had already given his formal statement to Jennings yesterday morning, which had been painfully awkward for both men concerned, but Harry hadn’t been surprised to have received the call from Keith Finch late yesterday afternoon asking for another ‘informal chat’ today.

‘Sir, again, I’d like to say how very sorry I am about your son. I assure you, his case is being treated with the utmost care and respect,’ Harry said flatly, retaking his own seat.

His superior officer grimaced. ‘Yes, I’m sure it is,’ he agreed. Then his shoulders slumped slightly. ‘Look, let’s not beat about the bush, Harry,’ he said wearily, suddenly dropping the formality and looking and sounding more like the bereaved father that he was, rather than a still-serving police officer of some rank. ‘David’s death has left us, my wife and me, I mean … well … all at sea, as you can probably imagine.’

Harry cleared his throat helplessly. He was beginning to feel a shade angry and resentful at being put in this position, but he knew it was hardly the Super’s fault. Even so, he wished the man would just take some leave and keep well out of things. It would make things so much easier for everyone all around. But he knew, just from looking at the other man’s face, that that was not going to happen any time soon.

‘Let’s put our cards on the table, shall we?’ Superintendent Finch said grimly. ‘There’s no denying that my boy, David, was head over heels about this Carmody girl. He’d not yet brought her home to meet us, even though they’d been stepping out together for some weeks, but we were all well aware that he was well and truly smitten. And I don’t mind telling you, his mother was worried about it. Even before her murder, we’d been hearing rumours about her. You know what it’s like – women gossip and delight in bringing bad news to your door, and a number of people went out of their way to warn Betty that, well, this girl he was seeing might have been two-timing him.’

‘Very distressing for you and your family, sir, I’m sure,’ Harry said soothingly.

‘Yes, well, his mother was concerned, as I said, but for myself I thought … well, David was a good-looking lad, young, doing well at university … and frankly, Harry, I thought it would all blow over. When I was his age …’ He trailed off and shrugged.