In the interview room the atmosphere was tense. DI Miller had his notebook open and his fountain pen placed in the middle of an empty page. DCI Tyler was sitting slightly back from the table, his tie loosened. Justine had taken her trench coat off and was sitting with her head bowed, her hair partly covering her face and her hands clasped together in her lap.

Darren McDermott was the only one who looked comfortable. He had removed his fashionable overcoat to reveal a Savile Row suit that probably cost a large part of the annual wages of the detectives sitting opposite him. He wore a chunky gold Rolex watch, a prominent signet ring and heavy gold cufflinks.

When he spoke, his voice oozed confidence. ‘Your so-called evidence implicating my client in the murder of her ex-husband seems to amount to the fact that she inherits his shares in the theatrical agency. This is nonsense. She is already a wealthy woman. In addition, she was receiving substantial alimony payments from Mr. Foxley, which depended on the continued health of the business, which in turn was dependent on his expertise. The suggestion of her gaining financially from Mr. Foxley’s death is patently absurd.’

Miller picked up his fountain pen. ‘Mr. McDermott, we have been told by your client herself that she fully intends on selling her late ex-husband’s flat. We are also aware she has every intention of selling his shares in the agency. Whether or not you agree that she will benefit from his death is neither here nor there.’

McDermott had very deep-set, dark eyes with heavy eyebrows. This made it difficult to read his expression, but it was as if Miller had not spoken. He looked at Tyler.

‘We can also dismiss the fact that you have a shoeprint left at Mr. Foxley’s flat that forensics have now matched to my client’s trainer. At no point did my client attempt to hide anything. On the contrary, the left trainer was found in her wardrobe, in plain sight, while the right had been removed by one of the dogs and buried in the garden. Surely if it was her intention to hide what you believe to be crucial evidence, she would have done so more effectively. And in any case, the shoeprint was obviously made when she appeared at Mr. Foxley’s flat and she saw her ex-husband’s body.’

He gave Tyler a half smile, as if he found it all rather amusing.