“Afterwards, we went up to my room and made love. She left about eleven, saying she was going back to work with Jett. I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t. I know it sounds pathetic, but I had a dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach that something terrible was going to happen. Eventually, I got up and went for a walk. Then I saw all those police cars up at the manor and I panicked. Whatever was going on, I knew I would only be in Moira’s way if I turned up on the doorstep, so I went back to the pub. That’s when you nearly ran me over.” Maggie lit her cigarette and ran a hand through her graying curls.

“I tried to ring from the phone in the pub, but it was constantly engaged. I didn’t know what else to do, so I set off for home. Moira knew I was coming home today, and I knew she’d call me as soon as she could. The first I knew she was dead was when I heard the news on Radio One at half past nine.” She couldn’t hold the tears back any longer, and they streamed down her face. Her shoulders shook.

I got up and tentatively put a hand on her arm, but she shook me off and huddled into a ball. Feeling helpless, I retreated to the sofa. While I waited for her to compose herself, I thought about what I’d heard. It sounded incredibly thin to me. I couldn’t imagine any circumstances in which I’d behave as Maggie had done unless I was running from something. But equally, I couldn’t see why she’d have killed Moira if she was telling the truth about their relationship.

After a few minutes, Maggie managed to find the strength from somewhere to dry her tears, clear her throat and look me in the eye. “I didn’t kill her. I’d have cheerfully killed the bastard who was trying to destroy her with the smack, but not Moira. Never Moira.”

Her denial was vehement. But I’ve heard good performances before. I didn’t have enough information to try to get beyond that right now, but if I uncovered it, I’d be back. This was one case where I couldn’t let sentiment get in the way. “I believe you,” I said, almost convinced. “Is there anything else, however trivial, that Moira said that might shed some light on what happened?”

Maggie got up and poured herself another mug of tea. She leaned against the table, eyebrows twisted in concentration. “There was one thing,” she said uncertainly.

“Yes?” I asked expectantly.