She inhaled deeply on the cigarette and closed her eyes, determined to be as accurate as she could be about her thoughts and actions. “I looked round the room, trying to work out what was missing, but everything seemed to be where it should be, except that the chair was lying on its side and the clothes that I’d dumped on it were all over the floor. I walked across to the window and . . .” She paused and inhaled more smoke. “I didn’t want to look down, but I made myself. It was a long way down, and I could see the car roofs glinting in the glow from the lights that line the paths. Only, one car wasn’t shining. There was something light colored on it, like . . . like a shirt when you’ve thrown it on the floor. That’s when I started screaming.” Lindsay leaned back and rested her head against the cold cell wall, staring up at the ceiling bulb in its wire cage.

“It felt like I was standing there for ages, but it can’t have been long before other people arrived. I didn’t take much notice, to be honest. There was a lot of shouting about calling the police, which someone must have done. The rest you know,” Lindsay nodded.

Jennifer Okido nodded approvingly. “Good. Okay, Lindsay, what’s going to happen now is that the police are going to interview you. I strongly urge you at this stage to assert your right to silence. What that means is that, whatever they ask you, you must say, ‘No reply.’ Now, are you familiar with the TV show Take Your Pick?”

Lindsay looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “Yes,” she said dubiously.

“You know the section at the beginning where contestants are asked questions in an attempt to get them to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’? Well, this interview will be rather like that. They’ll try to trick you into giving an answer other than ‘no reply,’ and as soon as you do that, in law you are deemed to have given up your right to silence. They’ll say things like, ‘Has your solicitor instructed you to say no reply,’ and ‘Is it the case that whatever I ask you, you’re just going to say, no reply.’ You mustn’t fall into the trap. I can protect you to some extent, because they’re not allowed to put you under undue pressure, but I’m afraid most of the burden rests on your shoulders. Are you clear about what you have to do?” Jennifer asked.

Lindsay nodded. “I’ll do my best.”