Mandy dug her hand into the seat beside her and drew out four sheets of paper held together with a paperclip.

‘I thought you might need these. I have been as diligent as possible, because the client you refer to had been visiting my establishment for a period of eighteen months.’

Miller had to stand up to reach over and take the papers. He glanced at them as he sat back down on the sofa, flicking from one sheet to the other.

‘I don’t want to play games with you, Miss Pilkington. If I wanted to, I could have you arrested for running a brothel where serious acts of perversion take place.’

Miller’s words had no effect on her whatsoever. She tossed her head and laughed.

‘I give a good service to people who need it. You may not be aware that I am a qualified psychotherapist and in many cases what you refer to as perversion is an acceptable form of therapy. I have the documents to prove it. My business is entirely legal—’

Miller interrupted. ‘I am certain a High Court judge would find your explanation for what is in fact a brothel less than convincing.’

She gave another high-pitched laugh. ‘Listen, sweetie, I’ve had more High Court judges before me than you’ve had hot dinners, and I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. I have never had a complaint or an arrest, and none of my staff has either.’

Miller smiled coldly, as if he was enjoying himself. Without referring to any notes, he began listing all her previous convictions for soliciting, along with the dates, going back twenty years. He even recalled the various aliases Mandy had used. He obviously expected a reaction, but she simply waved her hands, saying that she had been young and abused by her pimp and had been rehabilitated during a prison sentence.

She pointed a tiny finger at him. ‘People like you have no notion of the hardships a homeless fourteen-year-old girl can be subjected to. I have been an honest hard-working woman since I was married. I pay my taxes and if you want to threaten me, I know my rights and I will call my lawyer.’

Miller gave a dry laugh. ‘I can have you out of here faster than you could pick up the phone. You don’t seem to understand, Mandy, I am investigating a vicious, brutal murder and right now you are a suspect. I am going to ask you some questions and if I do not get direct answers, I will waste no time in having you dragged out of this house.’ At that point the door opened and the maid entered with a tray of tea and sandwiches.