Niall told them he had called her again today, checked online again for any activity on her credit cards and bank statement, as well as her social media – she was always active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, but there had been no posts. And that he had already relayed all this to the two police officers who’d attended earlier.

When he had finished, Grace, watching him intently, asked him a question which momentarily threw him. ‘What did you have for breakfast today, Mr Paternoster?’

‘What does that have to do with anything?’

‘Could you tell me?’ he coaxed gently, watching the man’s body language intently.

He looked nervous. ‘If you must know, I had brunch – two fried eggs, bacon, pork sausage and baked beans – oh, and fried bread.’ Then he gave a sly grin. ‘But don’t tell Eden because she’s been trying to wean me on to birdseed and fruit.’

Still watching him intently, Grace asked, ‘She’s concerned about your health? What else has she tried to get you to do?’

Paternoster brushed his brow. ‘Oh God, she’s always trying to push me on to some new fad or something. Recently it’s been to exercise more, although I’m always out on my bike anyway, stuff like that, to get through my depression after losing my business.’

Grace processed this. ‘Was the car park at Tesco Holmbush busy when you arrived there yesterday?’

To Grace’s disappointment, the man seemed confident in his reply, which indicated he was telling the truth. ‘Yes, it was – that’s why she got out, to avoid us being stuck in the traffic there.’ He paused. ‘Why did you ask me about breakfast – what does that have to do with anything?’

‘The house smells of something being fried.’

‘So?’

Grace raised his hand appeasingly. ‘Just a copper’s curiosity.’

Niall frowned, then challenged, a little aggressively, ‘How does this have anything to do with my wife disappearing, exactly?’

Grace was glad to have the man rattled. He caught Branson’s eye. The DI knew exactly what he was doing. People made mistakes when they were angry. Niall Paternoster had now given him one reason for getting rid of his wife, albeit a small one – their constant arguments. But was there more to it? Did he actually despise her? Did he hate her enough to kill her?

People had murdered their partners for smaller reasons than this. Again, watching his reaction carefully, Grace said, ‘Mr Paternoster, we have watched the Tesco Holmbush CCTV covering the period you were there yesterday. We’ve studied footage of the car park, the entrances to the store, and footage covering all the aisles. We’ve also talked to staff members present yesterday. There is no sign of your wife in any of the footage, and no staff member can recall seeing anyone resembling your wife. Are you sure you’re telling us the truth?’

To Grace’s disappointment, Niall again answered confidently.

‘I’m absolutely sure. And why wouldn’t I be telling you the truth?’