‘No, he was never what I’d call very chatty; in fact, he hardly spoke at all. There was only one odd thing, now I come to think of it.’ He paused. ‘When he carried me into the car, there was a full black bin liner on the floor beside my seat. He seemed concerned about it and, after he closed the door, he went around to that side of the car and took it out. He then opened the boot and put it in there. When he got back into the driving seat he said he was sorry but Mandy had asked him to dispose of some old towels and sheets. He was going to take them to the dog shelter but hadn’t yet found the time.’

Spencer looked at Jane and closed his notebook, sliding it into the open file on the desk. ‘Michael, can you recall whether Farook was wearing the same clothes when he collected you later as he was when he picked you up?’

Michael nodded. ‘As far as I recall he was always wearing a rather ill-fitting suit that was too small for him.’

Spencer stood up. ‘Do you have a contact number for him?’

‘Not for him personally. I always make arrangements with Mandy.’

‘I just need to go and have a few words with my guv, Michael, then I can arrange for you to be taken home.’

Michael laughed and said, ‘How about launching one of those biscuits into my mouth?’

Spencer took a Bourbon biscuit and held it out like a dart before he gently put it into Michael’s mouth.

Jane waited with Michael as he tried to move his legs straight, which was obviously a painful process.

‘Would you mind helping?’ he asked with a grimace.

He twisted his body around in the chair and Jane pulled each leg straight. She couldn’t believe the weight of each of the legs. Although they straightened quite simply, the wooden feet, encased in brogue shoes, had no flexibility.

‘Thank you,’ he said, giving Jane a lovely smile, and like Spencer, she found herself falling for his charm.

*

Spencer went into Tyler’s office and gave him an update on the interview.

‘He still maintains the same exact time of collection and return to the care home. To be honest, guv, I didn’t go into any depth regarding the murder, because he is obviously concerned about Farook losing his job. And if he was to contact Farook and tip him off that he has been brought here, I’d be concerned for Michael’s safety.’

They walked out of the office together and stood in front of the chalkboard. They looked at the timings and Tyler pointed at the board.