‘We believe Mr. Foxley let his killer in, as we found no forced entry. He was first struck by a cricket bat and was possibly unconscious when he was dragged from the hall to the bathroom.’

She showed him the photograph of the disembowelment. Michael licked his lips and asked if she would help him sit down. It was at this point Spencer walked in. He quickly took in the fact the interview table was covered with items from his own file, and Jane was flushed as she said, ‘I’m afraid that when Michael stood up the table almost fell over and your file tipped out. I tried to replace them as quickly as possible, but Michael insisted I show them to him.’

Spencer turned his back on Jane and rested his hands on Michael’s shoulders. ‘Are you all right, son?’

Michael nodded. ‘Could you remove my legs? I’m not used to wearing them for so long, and sitting’s difficult as the straps cut into my groin.’

Spencer turned to Jane. ‘I think Michael would like another cup of coffee and I would too. Would you mind? Are you hungry, Michael?’

‘I’ll have a sandwich, anything going.’

By the time Jane returned to the interview room, the prosthetic legs were resting against a cabinet and Spencer had carefully folded Michael’s trousers under his knees. He had a jacket around his shoulders with both arms pinned up and seemed far more relaxed.

Spencer stood up as Jane entered with the tray.

‘Ah good, we have straws, Michael.’ He put the coffee mug down in front of him. ‘If you fancy me holding a sandwich out for you, just let me know,’ Spencer said.

‘No, thank you.’

Jane sat down beside Spencer. Michael watched Spencer demolish one of the sandwiches, then he took a sip of his coffee through a straw. ‘I would appreciate it if you would treat me as an adult and tell me the real reason you brought me to the station,’ he said quietly. ‘This isn’t about Farook giving me the odd snort or two, is it? And I don’t think it’s even about the fact he may have been acquiring drugs for Mandy. I reckon I’m not the only occasional user and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the girls did too. Mandy’s always been a bit two-faced about her business being legitimate and her abhorrence of narcotics.’

Spencer opened his notebook. ‘OK, I’ll level with you, Michael. This investigation has been going on for a long time without us being able to identify a suspect – or even a motive. But recently we think we may have uncovered one.’

Michael glanced at Jane and then back to Spencer. ‘You’d need quite a motive to do what was done to that man.’

‘Yes,’ Spencer agreed.