‘Nice array of watches, wouldn’t you say? We haven’t yet had access to the safe, but we should get that open tomorrow morning.’ Tyler then pointed upwards to the ceiling, where there was an enormous mirror. ‘What do you think of that? When Lawrence was here, he took a lot of pictures of the blood spatter.’

Just by the open door was a large, dirty velvet dog bed with an empty water bowl beside it. The only indication that they were in a basement came from the dank smell that pervaded the air. Jane was beginning to feel nauseous.

‘OK, last but not least.’ The smell became stronger as Tyler pushed open the connecting door. The elegant bathroom had obviously been designed by the same architect as the kitchen. But instead of black marble, everything was porcelain white.

‘The pathologist reckoned this was where his throat was cut. The weapon, a cut-throat razor, has been taken in to be tested for fingerprints. It was found in the bathtub. The suggestion is that the body was dragged from the bathroom and disemboweled in the bedroom.’

Tyler looked at his watch. It was coming up to seven p.m. and already getting dark.

‘Right, I’m going to head back to the station and start on the reports. I think it’s imperative we don’t waste any time. I need to have a statement from the ex-wife and the neighbor by tonight. You can work on it between you or do one each. There’ll be two uniformed officers on duty here around the clock as the premises need to remain secure.’

As Tyler left, Spencer looked at Jane. ‘Do you want to do it together?’

‘I don’t mind. I mean, the neighbor is only upstairs so we could do that now, and then head over to Barnes,’ Jane said.

‘I’ll have to call the wife,’ Spencer said. ‘It’s been a long day.’

‘I don’t mind going to Barnes by myself, Spence. And we have to meet Mr. Myers tomorrow morning.’

‘OK, let’s do it that way,’ Spence said as they headed out. They paused at the front door as they heard one of the uniformed officers saying loudly, ‘I’m very sorry, sir, but you are not allowed to enter the premises.’

There was a good deal of barking going on.

‘I have every fucking right to be down there and I want to know what the fuck is going on.’

‘There is no need to swear at me, sir,’ they heard the uniform insisting. ‘I am just doing my job. You cannot enter these premises.’

‘Listen, mate, I’ve had his dogs all fucking day and I have a job to do.’