‘Not at any length,’ Step said, with a shrug. ‘Brief chats with the bar staff, that kind of thing. Nothing that would make me think … that implied he might have argued with anyone.’

‘There was nobody in the club who seemed to recognise him?’ Hanson asked.

Step shook his head, slowly. ‘No, I don’t think so.’

Jonah nodded, his eyes roaming the orderly kitchen before coming to rest on Step again.

‘Can you tell me what Alex was like?’ Jonah asked. ‘Was he patient? Boisterous?’

Step fixed him with a slightly bright-eyed gaze. ‘You mean do I think he brought it on himself?’ Step shook his head. ‘He was a profoundly gentle person. And a kind one. Even when he was trashed, he was always a good guy.’

‘Did he get drunk a lot?’ Hanson asked.

‘Every so often.’ Step gave a shrug. ‘Like most guys in their late twenties. Probably less than most, really. He believed too much in his health.’

Jonah gave him a nod. ‘How’s his relationship with his husband been recently?’

‘Good,’ Step said. ‘It’s never been anything other than good. Issa and he were … They were close from the moment they met. They look after each other.’

‘There’s nobody Alex has had any disagreements with recently?’ Hanson tried. ‘No involvement with any groups that might have wanted him dead?’

‘No,’ Step said, shaking his head more quickly. ‘He was likeable, and definitely law-abiding.’

‘Thank you,’ Jonah said. ‘I’d really like to know anything else you think might help. People he might have met up with. Messages he sent. Anything.’

‘Of course,’ Step said, and then he leaned forwards, so that his elbows rested on his knees, and asked, ‘You don’t have any ideas, do you? Who it was?’

‘We’re doing our utmost to find out,’ Jonah said, as soothingly as he could.

‘OK. OK.’

During the drive home, Jonah found himself wondering about that last question of Step’s. Questions like that could come from wanting a loved one’s killer brought to justice. But they also might come from a fear of being found out.

‘It’s a little weird,’ O’Malley muttered, as he and Jonah stood looking in at Louise Reakes from the observation room. ‘I don’t know if she’s called him now, but when I mentioned it she looked like the thought made her ill. It made me wonder about him. Maybe he did know the guy. Maybe Alex was a friend of his. Could be nothing, but could be some kind of criminal involvement, if she’s scared of him. Ben’s looking him up on the system to see if there’s anything.’

Jonah nodded, considering. ‘I guess criminals can live in suburban bliss, too. I’ll talk to her.’

‘I’ve told her you just wanted to drop in before she goes. We’ve got the statement. I didn’t push her.’