‘I understand that most of the members of the book club are married?’

‘Yes,’ Shirley said, wondering where the questioning was leading.

‘Did you spend much time together as couples?’ Barrett was nonchalant, but Shirley could see there was something more behind his question.

‘Hardly ever. Grant isn’t exactly the type. We don’t do stuffy dinner parties or ask people over much. I’ve got my friends and he’s got his.’

‘So, you never spent time all together?’ Palmer asked again.

‘Once in a while I suppose we did.’

‘Any particular occasions that spring to mind?’

‘The only time I can ever remember Grant meeting everyone, was at a party for Marion’s birthday.’

It crossed his mind for a moment that all the women in the book club were in it together. No matter where Barrett turned he was given the same answers. He was sick and tired of dodging the issue and decided to go for the kill.

‘Are you happily married, Mrs Grubb?’ Barrett leant in, fixing her with his gaze.

‘Why’d you ask that?’ Shirley frowned.

‘We are just trying to build a picture of everyone who is a member of the book club.’

‘I’ve been with Grant for years. He’s not perfect, what man is?’ She winked at Palmer, who thought it highly inappropriate. ‘But we’re happy enough,’ she concluded.

‘And you have one daughter together, is that right?’

‘Yes. Kayla. She’s thirteen going on nineteen.’ A brief moment of anger crossed her face.

‘And I understand that Kayla is adopted.’ Barrett looked at his paperwork.

‘Yes.’ Shirley stiffened. ‘What has my daughter got to do with any of this?’

‘I’m simply checking my facts.’ Barrett could see that he’d touched a nerve.

‘The facts,’ Shirley sneered, ‘are this. Two of my friends have been killed, and as far as I can tell, the police have done very little except interrogate a group of women who are all members of a book club. You should be ashamed of yourselves. My dad always said the police couldn’t be relied on. He was right.’

‘I’m sorry you feel that way, Mrs Grubb.’ Barrett took pleasure in putting emphasis on her surname.

‘I’m not intimidated by you lot,’ she said, smiling.

‘Our intention is not to intimidate you. We are simply investigating all possible avenues. A double murder is as serious as it gets.’

‘I agree, so why don’t you stop wasting my time and get out there and catch the man responsible?’

Not yet ready for her to leave, Barrett put a clear plastic bag on the table. Inside, for her to see, was the note that had been left for Amy.

‘This was left at the address of a fellow book club attendee. Do you recognise it?’

Shirley leant over to read it through the bag. ‘No,’ she said, sliding it back across the table towards Barrett.