The search was beginning to make her feel nauseous as it was obvious that this was where Charles Foxley had spent a lot of his time. Jane began to open the drawers in the desk, removing documents and photographs to sort through. She found some hardcore pornographic magazines with men and women having sex; from the writing, she guessed they were from Germany, though she knew they could be purchased in the seedy porn shops of Soho. She heard the sound of laughing. It made her jump and she hurried out of the room onto the landing. She could hear Justine’s voice, accompanied by her high-pitched girlish laugh. Jane moved silently down the stairs and stood outside the drawing room listening. Justine was recounting a funny anecdote that had occurred on a movie set.

She doesn’t sound very fragile now, Jane thought wryly.

She returned to the master bedroom to collect the bags of evidence. There was still no sign of an end to the discussion in the drawing room, so after some hesitation she knocked and opened the door. Miller glanced up at her, clearly irritated, with a large photo album on his lap. Justine was sitting with her feet up on the coffee table, smoking a cigarette. She turned in surprise as Jane entered.

‘Are you still here?’ she asked.

Jane nodded and looked to Miller. ‘Would you like me to remain here? Or shall I return to the station?’

He glanced at his watch. ‘Good God! I didn’t realize the time. We should be leaving.’ He put the tape recorder in his briefcase and stood up. ‘I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the time you have given me, Ms. Harris. You have been very accommodating and I’m sure what you told me will be very helpful. And if we need anything further, I hope you will agree to see me again?’

Justine stood up and flicked the ash of her cigarette onto the carpet. ‘Yes, of course. Actually, I’ve rather enjoyed our conversation. I think it was beneficial for me too.’

Jane couldn’t believe it. It was as if she had interrupted a couple of friends having afternoon tea together.

Justine went over to an ashtray and stubbed out her cigarette. ‘I feel so bad. You haven’t been offered any refreshments.’

‘That wasn’t necessary,’ Miller said.

‘I have made a list of all the items I have removed and placed in evidence bags,’ Jane said, tearing a page from her notebook and handing it to Justine, who barely glanced at it. Jane looked to Miller before turning back to Justine. ‘Would you mind if I asked you a personal question?’

Justine gave one of her soft laughs. ‘Well, that is very sweet of you, my dear, but Lucas and I have been discussing personal things all afternoon, and I can’t believe there’s a question I haven’t already answered.’