‘We found letters from the mortgage company demanding payment at the barn.’

‘That’s why I went to see her. She wanted to know what was going on,’ Shane admitted. ‘I told her I couldn’t afford to keep paying for the barn. I suggested she took in a lodger to help with the cost. There’s a big spare room. I also thought it might be nice for her to have some company.’ He sounded genuine.

‘Did she advertise for a lodger, do you know?’ Palmer asked.

‘I don’t know if she did, but she said she’d think about it. She didn’t want to lose the house.’ Shane looked sorrowful.

‘I don’t suppose she did,’ Barrett said dryly.

‘Does Gemma know you were still paying for the barn?’

‘No.’ Shane hung his head. ‘She wouldn’t have liked it, especially with the baby on the way.’

‘Have you ever met a Dennis Wade?’ Barrett changed tack.

‘The dead guy?’ Shane looked up.

‘The first murder victim,’ Barrett corrected.

‘No, never met the fella.’

‘Do you know if your wife knew Mr Wade at all?’

‘Not as far as I know.’ Shane ran his hand through his thinning short brown hair.

‘We understand that you are the benefactor in Mrs Matlock’s will.’ Barrett moved the conversation again.

‘Yes I am. I suppose she never got round to changing it. She didn’t have a great fortune, though, if that’s what you’re getting at.’

‘Had you not discussed divorce, given that you are now living with another woman and expecting a child?’ Palmer inquired.

‘It did come up,’ Shane admitted, ‘when I went to see her last time.’

‘How did she react?’ Barrett pressed.

‘I don’t think it came as a shock. We were both kind of sad, though. It meant the real end.’

‘But neither of you had started the divorce proceedings?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘It wasn’t like there was a huge rush.’

‘You say that, Mr Matlock, but I noticed an engagement ring on Gemma’s finger,’ Palmer confessed.

‘She is the mother of my child. Hardly surprising that we plan to get married,’ Shane said blushing.

‘But you can’t get married until the divorce comes through.’

‘No, but there is no rush. Gem doesn’t want to be a pregnant bride so we’re going to wait until the baby is born. We haven’t set a date.’ He squirmed in his chair.

‘Weddings are expensive things,’ Barrett added.

‘I don’t like this.’ Shane’s face filled with anger. ‘What exactly are you getting at?’

‘Whoever was responsible for Mrs Matlock’s murder was able to gain entry to the house without any difficulty.’ Barrett’s glare was unwavering.

‘So that means I killed her?’ Shane spat in disbelief.

‘Money is a good motive for murder.’ Barrett leaned back in his chair.