‘She was like an animal – and strong: she lifted DI Miller off his feet and right across the table.’ Tyler chewed at his bottom lip. ‘I don’t know whether it was the right thing to do not to prepare Mr. Smooth Operator for the parking ticket, but Miller wanted an element of surprise . . . and we certainly got that! She was totally out of control.’

‘Well, she used to be a very successful actress; you don’t think she could have been acting, do you?’

Tyler shrugged. ‘If she was, I don’t know what she thought she could accomplish by doing something that crazy.’ He folded his arms.

‘Well, it’s given her some time to think,’ Jane replied.

There was a knock on the door and a uniformed officer appeared. ‘They’re on their way, sir.’

Justine appeared to be a completely different character. She was composed and straight-backed, politely thanking McDermott when he pulled the chair back for her to sit down.

‘Thank you for agreeing to see me again,’ she said, turning to Tyler with a demure smile. Again, she ignored Jane, keeping her focus entirely on Tyler, who now read her her rights for the second time.

If McDermott had been shocked by Justine’s previous behavior, he didn’t show any sign of it now. Once again, he took immediate control of the interview.

‘My client now wishes to explain why she lied. I also hope you will accept her apology for wasting police time. You have to understand that she was simply trying to protect her daughter and had not realized the importance of the timeframe.’ He held his hands out, palms up. ‘She desperately wants to apologize for her earlier behavior, but you must understand that she suffers from a number of challenging mental conditions that need to be controlled with medication.’

Justine lowered her eyes and smiled sadly, and Jane wondered which of them, Justine or her QC, was the better actor.

McDermott turned towards Justine. It should have been Tyler asking her to explain the parking ticket, but he seemed tongue-tied as McDermott resumed.

‘Justine, I want you to tell them why you were parked at a meter close to your ex-husband’s flat. But if you feel that at any time you are unable to continue, then I advise you to request the return of the doctor, as you are here on a possible serious charge and could be forced to remain in custody.’

Tyler knew he was right. If Justine could not give an acceptable answer then she could be charged.

She looked towards McDermott, as if for permission to speak, and he gave her an encouraging nod.

Tyler leaned forward slightly. ‘Did you, Ms. Harris, go to your ex-husband’s flat in Onslow Square on that Monday afternoon?’

Justine looked over to McDermott again.

‘Just explain exactly why you were there at that time,’ he encouraged her.