‘I won’t sit here and pretend I’ll miss her, just because you are policemen. I’ve had enough of manipulative liars, thanks very much.’

‘Is everything alright?’ Palmer leant forward, clocking the tears in the corners of her eyes.

‘Not really. I kicked my husband out and now I am facing being a single mother. To top it off, when all I really want to do is lie in bed and cry my heart out, I have to sit here and talk to you about a woman I couldn’t give a damn about.’

Barrett wasn’t sure if he admired or disliked her frankness. One thing he was certain about, was that there was no way this woman was a killer. She may not have liked Janet Cox, or Toni Jones, but she had more important issues going on in her life than bumping off two women.

‘Look, let’s put it this way: all that glitters isn’t gold, and Toni was a chav.’

‘Not exactly how I’d describe her.’ Barrett’s brow furrowed.

‘No, not in the typical sense, but she behaved like one. She asked for trouble, she had a chip on her shoulder, thought she was bigger and better than she was, and her idea of banter was making other people feel small. I call that chavvy.’

‘And Janet Cox?’ Palmer asked, amused by her analysis.

‘Oh, Janet was just a skank. One of the most insincere people I’ve ever met. I really didn’t like being in her company.’

‘Don’t hold back, will you?’ Barrett was shocked.

‘Why should I? I’ve nothing to hide. Would you rather I pretended everything was rosy and forced a smile? As I’m sure you already know,’ she said, wiping away a tear, ‘I argued with Janet, and Shirley for that matter, the last time I saw her alive. But thinking someone is a skank isn’t reason enough to murder them now, is it?’ Neither Palmer nor Barrett could argue with that, or had any intention of doing so.

Disarmed by her fragile yet fierce state, the officers thanked her for her time and excused themselves, noting the boxes in the hallway containing men’s clothes and some records.

Palmer felt sorry for her as he pulled the door closed, leaving her all alone with her anger and sorrow.

‘She’s a handful,’ Barrett puffed.

‘Never mess with a pregnant woman, sir.’ Palmer winked.

‘So it would seem.’ He half laughed, still trying to process what exactly had just taken place inside Number 102.

‘Next?’ Palmer asked, already knowing the answer.

‘Shirley Grubb.’ They both knew the time had come, but neither of them were looking forward to what lay ahead.