“I’ve never found orthodoxy a virtue in itself,” Lindsay muttered as she poured Jim a glass of red wine. “Look, I know you’re all as keen as I am to get Jackie out of prison. I’d thought of going straight to the police with the evidence I’ve got, but then I thought it would make much more sense to do it this way. After all, Claire, it was you yourself who warned me right at the beginning that my job was not so much to find the real killer as to cast enough doubt on Jackie’s conviction to pave the way for an appeal. After tonight, I think we’ll be able to do a little better than create reasonable doubt. You see, I’ve never thought it was enough just to get Jackie out of jail. If she’s released on appeal, there will always be the wagging tongues who’ll say she did it but she was lucky enough to get off. Ordeal by innocence, as Agatha Christie calls it. But I think I’d like to nail whoever did it. That settles all the doubts for good and all.”

Claire looked surprised and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything Jim said sagely, “Very commendable, I’m just not sure this is quite the right forum to do it in.”

“Well, I hope to prove you wrong,” Lindsay retorted.

“So what exactly is the plan?” Cordelia asked, strolling round the lounge with an expression of patronizing superiority on her face.

“I’m just waiting for Ruth Menzies and her husband Antonis Makaronas to join us. You’ll remember, Ruth gave evidence at the trial. She was the one who heard Jackie and Alison quarreling. And where Ruth goes, Antonis follows. Once they are here, I want to outline what my inquiries have uncovered.” Lindsay checked her watch. “They should be here any minute now,” she said abruptly, turning away and pouring herself a stiff Scotch and water.

“Have you uncovered new evidence since we last spoke?” Claire probed.

“I think so,” Lindsay confirmed. “We’ll see when everyone else is here. I’m sorry, Claire, but I really want to be able to do this my way. Please trust me.”

“We don’t seem to have a great deal of choice,” Cordelia cut in. “May I have another drink?”

“Of course, please help yourself,” Lindsay said stiffly. Cordelia must be more worried about Claire than she was prepared to show, Lindsay thought with mild surprise as she watched her former lover pour herself a large whisky.