Maria took her seat behind the desk, and Willow and Sandy sat opposite her like junior staff members, a waiter and a chambermaid, failing in their duties. ‘So,’ Maria said, ‘what do you want this time?’

‘You’ll have heard of John Henderson’s death?’

‘Yes.’ She shot a quick look at Willow. It was as if Sandy was invisible. ‘Did Henderson kill Jerry and then commit suicide? A kind of remorse? I did wonder if that was what happened. I’d feel kind of cheated. It’s not a real justice, to choose when you die.’

‘No,’ Willow said. ‘It was nothing like that. Henderson was murdered too.’

‘Evie Watt’s two men both dead.’ Maria Markham gave a little laugh. Sandy thought there was something quite mad about the woman. ‘I wish I could believe that Evie was the killer, but I don’t see it.’

‘Jerry met a woman the morning before he was killed,’ Willow said. ‘In the Bonhoga cafe. She’s been described as middle-aged, well groomed. Do you know who that might have been?’

‘No,’ Maria said. ‘It was something to do with his story, maybe. A contact.’

‘It wasn’t you?’

‘Of course not! If I wanted to chat with my son I’d do it here. I wouldn’t drive twenty miles north to meet him.’

‘But you didn’t have much opportunity to talk here. Not really talk. You and Peter are so busy, and your son had just come in on the ferry the morning before. I’d understand that you might arrange to meet somewhere – ’ Willow hesitated – ‘neutral. Somewhere you wouldn’t be interrupted. Everyone says how close the two of you were.’ The women stared at each other. The background music in the bar was jazz piano and it seeped between them. Maria Markham spoke first.

‘I’ve told you, Inspector, that I didn’t meet my son in Weisdale the morning that he died. I wish I had. I wish I had another memory to add to my collection, but I didn’t. I was here all day. Of course my staff will confirm it.’

‘Of course.’ Willow nodded gravely. There was a brief pause. ‘Did your son know the Fiscal, Ms Laing?’

‘No!’ Maria gave that crazy laugh again, the one that made Sandy want to run from the room. ‘Why would he? Unless he interviewed her when he was a reporter here. He might have met her then. But that was years ago.’ She got to her feet. ‘Are we finished here? I don’t sleep well. I get tired easily.’

Willow remained where she was. ‘Just one more question.’

Maria remained standing and looked down on them. ‘What is it?’ Sandy thought her voice did sound very tired.

‘Did you know that your son has a new girlfriend?’

‘No!’ The retort was too loud and surprised them all.

‘Her name is Annabel Grey and she lives in London.’ She paused for a beat. ‘Apparently.’