“Did you kill your wife?”

“How long have you had her hidden in your freezer?”

“Why kidnap your sister-in-law?”

I can see from the set of his mouth that he is desperate to tell his side of the story. But even Chris isn’t stupid enough to blurt out his version of things on TV. He would sound like a lunatic.

This is all going perfectly.

Chapter Twenty-Two

After I had identified the body and watched the news of Chris’s arrest, the police left me alone for a while, suggesting I have a little nap as it had been hours since I last slept. I took a blanket and pillow from them and tried to get comfortable. I think I’d managed a whole ten minutes before they woke me up again.

This time nice Vicky isn’t in the room. DCI Rosenmeyer is accompanied instead by a very stern-looking man who looks like a cantankerous grandfather faced with a shitty nappy to change.

He barks his name and rank as he sits down in the seat opposite me: “Superintendent Kurt Von Halen.” No pleasantries.

“Uh, Leah Patterson,” I reply, glancing at DCI Rosenmeyer in confusion. What’s going on here? DCI Rosenmeyer refuses to meet my eyes.

“So you say.” Von Halen cuts to the chase.

“Sorry?”

Von Halen sighs theatrically and picks up the sheaf of files in front of him. “You claim to be Leah Patterson. But you are an identical twin, are you not?”

I lay both palms flat on the table in front of me and tilt my head. “Sorry, Mr. Von—”

“Superintendent,” he interrupts.

“Sorry, Superintendent Von Halen. Are you suggesting that I’m not Leah Patterson?” Incredulity emanates from my every pore.

“Well, you can understand why we might be suspicious.” Pompous shit.

“I spent weeks as the hostage of a man who killed my twin sister. A man who chained me up, even beat me. And you think I’m lying.” My voice is rising, and I watch DCI Rosenmeyer sink a little into his seat. “I am beyond insulted.” Am I laying this on too thick? I need them to shut this line of questioning down without a hint of real suspicion.

“It is usual in cases such as this to ascertain the true identity of all parties.” Self-righteous prick.

“How many cases like this have you seen, Superintendent Von Halen?” I ask.

“Well…” His facade is beginning to crumble. “I have seen my fair share of domestic cases, spousal abuse, even a handful of homicides.” I think he wants some kind of medal.

“And so, in your learned opinion, I might not really be who I am?”

“We just need to be sure, that’s all.” His confidence has evaporated.

Now that I have the upper hand, I take a deep breath. “Look…” My voice is back to its usual pitch and I watch his shoulders drop a little as the tension begins to drift away from him. At least now he doesn’t think I’m going to sue for defamation. “This is a difficult time for everyone. What do you need from me to prove who I am?”