‘But they seem to have put together a fair amount of evidence in a short time.’

I looked at him for a sign that he believed me. A sign that he was on my side, that he would fight my corner. That kind of person seemed to be in short supply just now.

‘I’ve never been in this situation before. Never even been arrested before. How bad does it look?’

‘Hmm. Well, that would depend.’

‘On what?’

‘On how honest you want me to be at this point.’

I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

‘Just give me your professional opinion.’

‘Well, they’ve got the evidence from the mobile data, DNA evidence, physical evidence. They’ve got motive, in the affair between him and your wife. Opportunity, in your meeting at the hotel that night. A possible shallow grave site. It’s a rather . . . unfortunate collection.’

‘It’s bloody unfortunate, considering I didn’t do it.’

‘Do what, exactly?’

‘Kill him.’

He paused for a moment before asking his next question.

‘You’re quite sure about that?’

My stomach dropped and I stared at him for a moment. It felt like I’d just discovered my best friend – who was supposed to be watching my back – didn’t actually care either way what happened.

‘Yes. Certain.’

‘Do you ever play cards, Joe?’

‘Played poker with Ben a few months back. I was pretty terrible at it.’

‘Well, this is the point in the game when it’s time to put your cards on the table.’

‘OK,’ I said slowly.

‘The truth.’

‘OK.’

‘Can anyone else corroborate your movements last Thursday night?’

I shrugged.

‘Only William.’

‘What about your wife?’

‘She came back from tennis a bit before seven-ish, I think.’

He checked his notes.

‘And that was . . . an hour and three-quarters after your confrontation with Ben.’

‘Give or take, yes.’

‘Enough time for you to drive to Fryent Country Park, dump a body, and drive home again.’

‘With a four-year-old in tow? In Friday night traffic? Without being seen?’

‘It’s Naylor’s primary theory at the moment.’

‘It’s bonkers.’

‘Of course. But we also need to be ready for forensic results from property seized today from your house. How often had Ben been in your house, or your car, in the last three months? We can look at using any recent visits to counter forensic evidence they might find.’

‘Pretty sure he’s never been in my car, but he’s been to the house a half-dozen times.’ I thought about the geography of his affair. ‘Of course there are the other times when he might have been there, with Mel.’

‘Of course.’ Larssen nodded sympathetically.

‘Surely they can’t go ahead with a murder charge if they haven’t got a body?’