She stepped back from the door to allow Jane to enter and then relocked it. She was wearing a niqab and was dressed in a fine black wool dress, black stockings and black lace-up shoes. She ushered Jane into the drawing room and sat on one sofa as Jane sat opposite her on the other.

‘I am sure you must be aware that your sister’s husband has admitted killing Mr. Charles Foxley.’

Farah showed no emotion but simply nodded.

‘He has also refused to explain why he did it and has become deeply distressed when asked to reveal his reasons.’

Again Farah showed no sign that what Jane had said meant anything to her. The woman’s luminous eyes did not stray from Jane’s face but remained without expression. Her beautiful hands, with long nails, were folded impassively in her lap.

‘When was the last time you saw your niece?’ Jane asked.

‘It was some while ago. At least two months. I received a distraught call from my sister and I immediately came here.’

‘Can you tell me what your sister was so upset about?’ Jane asked.

Farah waved her hand in the air. ‘Yasmin had been wearing make-up and I believe she had taken money. She had a confused mind and started questioning our care. To begin with, we were lenient. You have to understand that when Yasmin came to this country, she was very young and her mother, my sister, was also very childlike. My brother-in-law was so much older and yet financially dependent upon myself and my husband.’

She turned away from Jane to glance at the clock above the fake fire, and then turned back, her lips drawn in a thin line.

‘Please go on,’ Jane urged, gently.

‘My daughter Midilah is academically bright and obedient and obeys our religious codes, whereas Yasmin had a selfish desire to paint her face and watch Hollywood movies. When she was unsupervised, what unfolded caused us terrible anguish. My husband had no option but to send her back to Pakistan.’

Jane didn’t want to hurry her, but was concerned that Farah was expecting her sister or husband to return and then she would clam up.

‘Do you know where she is in Pakistan?’

Farah shook her head. ‘I was not privy to the arrangements. My husband oversaw all of that.’

Jane nodded. ‘Do you also live with your daughter, above your husband’s business?’ she asked.

There was a flash of anger in Farah’s eyes. ‘That accommodation is used infrequently and only when necessary. My brother-in-law was often away on business at weekends and it was those times when we were concerned about Yasmin’s behavior.’

‘But he worked for Mandy Pilkington as her chauffeur and security guard. Why would it be necessary for him to be away on business at weekends?’