‘If she had, we wouldn’t be talking right now, and the two of you would have probably never met.’ He pulled a file out of his briefcase and slid it across the table. ‘Read it.’

‘Is it the psychotherapist’s file?’

‘Along with the police records about the incident.’

‘How did you get—’

‘Never mind that.’

Richard slipped the file in his briefcase.

‘If you need anything else, call me.’

Harvey stood and headed for the door.

Richard sat alone for a while. The truth about his wife was right beside him. He had wanted to know about her past and now, he finally had the answers. But with the anticipation came fear.

He had treated his wife with caution for years. Once he read the file, he would have to continue living with her while knowing the truth as he worked with his solicitor to begin the divorce and custody proceedings. He didn’t know how he would do it, but he had to if it meant keeping his daughter safe. When Amber had grabbed his tie as he said goodbye that morning and demanded he declare his love for her, he had never been more scared in his life. He had seen the evil in her eyes.

Without even having to read the file, he knew his wife was capable of murder just by the look in her eyes.

EIGHTEEN

Friday 24 November, 17:30

Amber was a murderer. The mother of his child had killed her own flesh and blood. If she could stand by as the fire ate away at her parents at such a young age, he couldn’t fathom what she was capable of against her own husband and daughter. He looked at the report on his desk and took a gulp of whisky.

There were no signs of forced entry to the apartment block or the flat where the fire began, nor blatant signs of arson around the exterior or in the stairwells leading to the property. The fire was reported at 03:22 by a neighbour in the property directly above, who reported the smell of burning and that the lino flooring in her kitchen had begun to melt. The neighbour positioned to the left of the property reported screams for help and wallpaper peeling off her bedroom wall at 03:29.