‘No. I do not trust you. I would not trust the word of any policeman. I don’t doubt that by now you have gathered a lot of information about me and about my life. Some of it will show that I am not a man without blemish, and that I have, how do you say, created a false face to the world. That would be true also of very many of the respectable businessmen in this city. But I insist that I am totally innocent of this crime.’

‘I’m certain that he’s prevaricating,’ Swallow told Mallon as they eventually sat to supper. ‘He’s got smooth answers for all the questions, but I’m sure he’s hiding something. And he can’t come up with an alibi as to where he went when he left the restaurant on the night of the murder.’

‘Isn’t it possible that what he says is true? Maybe he’s involved with some married lady, as he says,’ Mallon said.

‘He wouldn’t accept my offer of a discreet inquiry, chief. If he won’t even give us this supposed lady’s name we can’t check his story. Personally, I think it’s a fiction.’

Elizabeth Mallon smiled.

‘But if it were true, that would be honourable, in a way, wouldn’t it? I’m not condoning that kind of behaviour, of course.’

Swallow shrugged.

‘You could say that, Mrs Mallon.’

‘But you’ve not charged him. Why?’ Mallon asked.

‘He just might decide to make a statement, tell us a bit more after a long night in the cells. I’ll charge him in the morning one way or another.’

Mallon had opened a bottle of some sort of white Bordeaux. It was not sufficiently chilled, but Swallow sipped it out of politeness.

‘What’s happening with Kelly over at the Bridewell?’ he asked.

Mallon shrugged.

‘He’s sticking to his guns. He denies everything, refuses to answer any questions. He says he answers to the assistant under-secretary for security, Mr Smith Berry, and he’ll talk to nobody else.’

Swallow felt his anger beginning to rise again.

‘By God, if I was over there I’d find a way to make him talk. That’s where I should be now.’

‘Don’t let your anger get the better of you, Joe,’ Elizabeth Mallon said quietly. ‘You’ll be no good to Maria when she comes home from hospital if you’re like that.’

Mallon grunted.

‘Elizabeth’s right, Swallow. Everyone understands your anger and how you want to see Kelly pay for what’s done. And you’ve just demonstrated the reason you’re not over in the Bridewell. This is too personal for you. You’re too close to it. Leave it to Pat Mossop and the others.’

He poured more wine.