‘About fifteen years. I’ve been his accountant all that time, but I’d say he was more than just my client. I considered him a friend.’ Marcus paused. ‘I can’t imagine anyone who would want to hurt Dennis. So, what was it? An unprovoked attack?’

‘I can’t go into any specific details about the crime,’ Palmer told him, ‘but we suspect the individual responsible knew the victim.’

Marcus felt cold and wished he, too, had a cup of coffee to wet his parched mouth.

‘Can you tell us when you last saw the victim alive?’ Barrett put his coffee down and slowly ran his finger around the rim of the cup.

‘I couldn’t tell you the exact date off the top of my head, but it must have been about two weeks ago. We had regular meetings regarding his accounts.’

‘And did Mr Wade have any financial difficulties?’

‘No, I wouldn’t say so. He was hardly a millionaire,’ Marcus confessed half whispering, ‘but the shop made a reasonable profit and he was able to make a living. He owns the building, you know, so there was no rent on it. Only the usual business rates.’

‘I see.’ Barrett had found himself at another dead end and it had only just gone nine o’clock. ‘Did he have any debts, any enemies, anyone who might want him dead?’ The inspector knew he was clutching at straws, but he wanted to take something from the interview, no matter how small it may be.

Marcus sat back in his chair, looking slightly more comfortable and pondered the question. ‘Not as far as I am aware.’ He put his briefcase flat on the table. ‘I brought his most recent accounts with me,’ he added, gesturing to them, ‘if you would like to see them.’

‘That is very considerate of you, Mr Goldman,’ Palmer said while contemplating whether the man opposite him might be gay.

‘You say you were friends,’ Barrett interrupted, ‘so was there anything going on in his personal life that might have a bearing on the case?’

‘We weren’t that close.’ Marcus looked down at his manicured fingernails. ‘Occasionally we’d have a drink but most of our conversations centred round the bookshop.’

‘What about his relationship with his wife? Were they having any problems?’ Palmer could almost see smoke coming out of Barrett’s ears as a result of his frustration.

‘I only met her once or twice. She seemed like a decent woman. A homely sort.’ Marcus almost sneered.

Women like that were clearly not his type, Palmer thought to himself, if women were his type at all.

‘I didn’t ask if you liked her, I asked you if they had any marital issues you were aware of.’ Barrett was quickly losing control of his temper.

‘No, Detective.’ Marcus looked mildly offended at having been spoken to like that. ‘I don’t believe there were any problems there.’