Tyler and Spencer entered the house with Farook and watched as he went into a small cloakroom, washed his hands, took off his overalls and took his black driver’s jacket down from a peg. Spencer had already been briefed by Tyler on the need to keep Farook calm and was only planning to handcuff him if necessary. Eventually, Farook had combed his hair and buttoned his jacket, folding the towel he had used to dry his hands.

As they walked down the hall, the plain-clothes officer took Tyler’s place as he went to Mandy Pilkington’s room. Tyler tapped on her door, watching as the two uniformed officers led Farook to their waiting car.

‘What do you want?’ Mandy shouted.

‘It’s Detective Chief Inspector Tyler; I need to ask you some questions.’

‘You are going to have to do it through the door as I’m washing meself down.’

‘I need to know, Ms. Pilkington, if you gave Farook a plastic bag containing dirty used towels for a dog shelter.’

‘I’ve already been asked this. I often gave them to my driver; I can’t remember what date or when.’

Tyler tapped on the door again. ‘Ms. Pilkington, I also need to inform you that we have just arrested your driver, Ahmed Farook. My officers will need the keys for your car to do an on-site examination and get it taken to the lab for full forensic checks.’

Mandy bellowed again. ‘For Christ’s sake, the keys are hanging up on a hook in the kitchen.’

Tyler turned to one of the officers, gesturing to him to go and collect the keys.

Mandy was in her bedroom, finishing applying a thick coat of make-up and removing rollers from her bleached hair. She heaved her body up and pulled on a massive floating kaftan with a frilled neck and cuffs. She slipped her tiny feet into satin mules and tottered to her bedroom door, pushing it open.

‘I think this is fucking harassment. I mean, I can’t remember when I gave Farook used towels for the dogs’ home. Let me talk to Farook. He’ll have a better idea.’

‘Ms. Pilkington, I told you a moment ago, we have arrested your driver.’

‘Well, that’s bloody good for me, isn’t it? How am I supposed to get about? What has he done?’

‘Mr. Farook has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Please come to the station for further questioning with regards to your driver.’

‘What? How do you expect me to get to the fucking station when you just arrested my chauffeur? Do you think I can fucking get myself into a taxi?’

Tyler had to step away from her to control his mounting anger.

‘I will organize transport for you, Ms. Pilkington.’ He backed away from her again as she jabbed at him with one of her painted fingernails.