‘Okay, Mr Jones. I think that will do for now. I’d be grateful if you could pass on the details of the book club Mrs Jones was attending, to DI Palmer. I also have to warn you that we will need to collect some of your wife’s possessions from your home. Her computer, and any other items we deem relevant to the investigation, will be seized. We will do everything in our power to bring her killer to justice, but it is important you cooperate fully with our investigation. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’ Gerald began to sob again.

‘You will be allocated a Family Liaison Officer who will keep you informed of all our enquiries. In the meantime, is there someone you would like me to call?’

Gerald’s wet eyes searched the room looking for an answer that seemed to elude him.

‘I suppose we should call her sister.’

‘I’m going to need a number,’ Barrett said, as Palmer appeared, carrying a polystyrene cup of steaming hot tea.

‘It’s on my mobile phone. Her name is Hilary. Hilary Newton. She lives in London.’

‘Are there any other members of the family who need to be informed?’

Palmer was pleased to put the hot tea on the table and he shook his hand to relieve his fingertips.

‘No. Her parents are both dead.’ Gerald paused again for a moment. ‘She has an ex-husband.’ The officers glanced at one another. ‘I suppose he might want to know.’

‘Did she have any children with her previous husband? We’ll need his name.’ Barrett’s pen was poised, ready to capture the information.

‘Mike Williams. He lives in Great Shelford with his new wife, Amber, and their young daughter, Lucy.’

‘Thank you, Mr Jones. The information you have given us is very useful.’ Barrett drew a large circle around Mike’s name before getting up to shake Gerald’s hand as DI Palmer led him out of the room.

Barrett looked at the notes he’d taken. He would be following up the details regarding the firemen, and cursed that Gerald appeared to have an alibi. There was something about the man that Barrett found suspicious, although he couldn’t put his finger on it yet.