Never taking her eyes off the blade, which glinted in the daylight that poured through the glass in the back door, she did as she was told. With a quivering hand she picked up the wine glass and took a sip. The red, which had tasted sweet like jam, now tasted bitter.

‘You’re shaking.’ Steven stood over Tilly still brandishing the knife. ‘It’s only a coat.’ His eyes danced.

‘Why?’ Her throat was dry.

‘Because I had to and because they deserved it.’ He smiled and shrugged as if he were a schoolboy explaining away a cheap prank.

‘Dennis had a family. He was a nice man and–’

‘You know nothing!’ Steven roared, grabbing Tilly by the throat and lifting her out of her chair. ‘You don’t know what he did.’ He sprayed her with saliva as he spoke, and she thought she might be sick.

Before Tilly had time to react the front door of the house was smashed down and officers came flooding into the house shouting at Steven to let her go. For a second, she was certain he was going to shove the knife into her stomach. His eyes were burning with rage but a moment later he released her and was smiling like he was stoned.

‘See you, Tilly,’ he called over his shoulder while officers dragged him out of the house as Barrett read him his rights.

Palmer rushed over to Tilly who had collapsed back onto the bistro chair, unable to stand or support her own weight.

‘You’re safe now.’ He put an arm around her shoulder. ‘It’s all over.’

Chapter 27

4.50pm Monday 24th December

‘Interview commencing at 4.50pm on Monday the twenty-fourth of December. Officers present, DCI Barrett and DI Palmer,’ Barrett said for the tape and for the record.

‘Mr Steven Fisher, otherwise known as Mr Robert Mirren, has refused legal representation.’

‘No one calls me Robert.’ He smirked.

‘What should we call you then?’ Palmer asked.

‘Robbie is fine.’

‘Okay, Robbie it is then. So, Robbie, do you understand that you are under arrest for the murders of Dennis Wade, Wendy Matlock and Eddie Kilpatrick?’

‘Sure.’ He shrugged.

‘This is your opportunity to tell us in your own words what happened,’ Barrett said calmly. He could feel he was in the presence of someone damaged and dangerous and it was his job to try and get a confession.

‘You think you know.’ Robbie’s eyes danced around the room. ‘But you don’t have the first clue.’

‘So, tell us,’ Palmer urged. ‘Tell us about Jack Hucknell.’

Both inspectors watched as the suspect twitched when hearing the name.

‘Jack.’ He looked from one officer to another. ‘Jack was my best friend. We did everything together. We were like brothers. I even joined the scouts so that we could spend time together.’ Robbie shifted in his seat.

‘Go on,’ Barrett said evenly.