Spencer looked at his watch. ‘He’s just having a toilet break now. I’m going to have to go back in. Tyler is very impressive, but he can’t get him to implicate Mandy Pilkington in the drugs. It’s the only time he became a bit agitated, and we both think it’s vital we keep him steady.’

Jane handed Spencer the note in the plastic cover. She quickly described the interior of the flat, and explained that Farook’s wife had not spoken English and his sister-in-law, Farah Fareedi, had dominated their conversation.

A uniformed officer came to the door of the incident room and signaled to Spencer to go back into the interview room.

‘Spence, we really need to talk to him about his daughter, and perhaps have a quick moment with Tyler and show him what I found in the room I believe was her bedroom.’

Spencer had a quick look. ‘I’m not sure what that all means, but I’ll show Tyler anyway.’

Jane wished she could listen in to what was going on in the interview room, but she knew, like everyone else, she would just have to wait for the outcome.

At least they knew they had their killer.

*

Farook had been brought back by two uniformed officers. He remained calm, as if he was actually relieved to have offloaded the burden of his crime. He had accepted only a glass of water and sat facing the two empty chairs, waiting for Tyler and Spencer to return. Outside the door, Spencer showed Tyler the note.

‘Not sure what it adds up to, sir.’

‘So the daughter’s not there,’ Tyler said.

Spencer shook his head. ‘According to Jane, she may have lived in a small box room, but it’s been stripped bare and the note had been tucked into the bottom of a wardrobe.’

Tyler pursed his lips. ‘Right now, the important thing is that he’s admitted he did it. We just need him to tell us why, and to go through what happened in the flat, step by step.’

‘Guv, Jane thinks it’s got to be connected to his daughter.’

Tyler was losing patience. ‘Right now, Spencer, I’m not interested in what she thinks. We have to go with the evidence we have to progress things further.’ With that, he opened the interview room door and they both walked in.

Tyler repeated to Farook that he was still under arrest and read him his rights again. Once again he asked if he required a lawyer and Farook said no, even when Tyler told him that Mandy Pilkington had offered to pay for one. Farook, who rarely lifted his eyes to look either man in the face, stared down, clasping his hands over his belly like a Buddha. Spencer reminded himself that this tubby, congenial-looking man had the strength to carry Michael Langton up and down stairs.