‘Jackson? I’m Kelly Porter, I’m in charge of the murder inquiries. We haven’t yet met.’ She was calm. Rob said nothing. Jackson continued to stare, and then he looked over the balcony. He seemed to be gazing towards the area where Keira had died, and beyond, to an open area between the flats. Was he looking to see if he was being watched? There was nothing Kelly could do should that be the case, only hope he’d talk to them. The people below were noisy, and songs were played over PA systems. Laughter and banter floated up to where they waited.

At last Jackson walked towards them and pulled a key out of his pocket. His hands were dirty with what Kelly suspected was bike oil. She wondered what he’d used the black rope for. His face was open, but she’d sat in front of plenty of killers who’d tried to suck her in with their calm. Her mind remained open. All investigators knew that during a live case, it was highly probable that they’d come face to face with the killer before they knew it.

Jackson was now level with them, and he put his key in the lock, opening the door and inviting them in.

‘I already talked to your lot,’ he said.

‘Sorry, I haven’t seen a record of it. Sometimes during such large operations different departments investigate several elements of crime. I’m in charge of the murder inquiry, and I believe the officers you met yesterday were investigating general organised crime on the estate, under different orders.’

Jackson stopped and turned round. Kelly entered the hallway and Rob followed, closing the door behind him. They filled the little space. Jackson pointed to a small lounge.

‘Sit down if you want,’ he said. They went in and did so. Jackson followed them and did the same. He was relaxed.

‘Can you confirm if your interview with PC Brook and DS Phillips was recorded?’

‘I don’t know, they never said.’

Confirmation of identity at least.

‘We have evidence linking you strongly to the scene of the murder of Keira Bradley.’

‘What? Am I under arrest?’ Jackson sat opposite them. Kelly noted the tidiness of the flat.

‘No. I don’t want to get bodies in cells, Jackson, I want to know the truth.’ Kelly knew he was puzzled. She also knew he wasn’t stupid. To stay out of trouble on the Beacon Estate as a young male was no mean feat. She was interested to find out how he’d managed it.

‘You have a long history with DS Phillips and PC Brook.’

Jackson’s face didn’t change, but his hand position did, moving from his knees and clasping.

‘Am I under caution?’

‘No.’ Kelly waited.

Jackson looked from one to the other. ‘I can never work out who out of you lot is dirty and who’s clean.’