Miller glided towards her with his hand outstretched. ‘I’m DS Miller,’ he began, then, to Jane’s astonishment, he went on, ‘I just want to say what an admirer I am of your work. I’m very grateful for the time you’re giving us.’

Justine smiled briefly in reply, then walked past him to sit on the sofa next to Jane.

Miller placed his briefcase beside him on the sofa. ‘Do you mind if I use a tape recorder?’ he asked.

‘I don’t suppose I do,’ Justine replied, sipping her coffee.

‘It’s just a precaution in case I forget something. I am sure you are very used to press conferences and being recorded.’

She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Not for quite some time.’

‘I’d like to start by asking . . . may I call you Justine?’

Jane caught a little lift of her eyebrow.

‘Please do.’

‘Well, Justine, could you tell me what you were wearing when you went to your husband’s flat?’

She tilted her head. ‘I can’t really remember . . . ’

‘It is rather important, Justine.’ He leaned forward. ‘You see, we have to exclude you from the investigation. At the same time we are aware that there was considerable friction between you and your husband and there is a possibility that two people were involved in his death.’

Justine sipped her coffee, frowning, as if trying to make sense of what he had just said. ‘I was wearing jeans, similar to these, a T-shirt and a camel-hair coat.’

‘Are those clothes here, Justine?’ he asked.

‘Yes, my coat is in the closet in the hall. I think my jeans and T-shirt have probably been washed.’

‘What shoes were you wearing?’ he asked.

She sighed. ‘Good heavens. I think I was wearing either these shoes, or maybe a pair of trainers. I can’t really remember.’

‘And are those trainers also here?’

‘Yes, I think so.’

‘We need to know if you got bloodstains on your shoes when you entered the flat. Do you recall noticing any stains on your clothing or shoes?’

Justine shook her head. ‘Of course not. I was too distressed to. I suppose you are aware of what happened to me?’

‘I would like you to tell us about it, if you would,’ Miller said encouragingly.