Clare laughed. Then she remembered Chris and performed the introductions.

‘I hear you have three of our finest in for interview,’ Jackie said, leading them towards the interview rooms. ‘Reckon you can make anything stick?’

‘You sound like you’re after them yourself, Jackie.’

‘Just the one – Doug Gerrard. We’ve been trying to nab him for the past year but he always manages to cover his tracks. Car theft to order,’ she added. ‘High-end. Changes the plates then sells them on. Or he has them broken down for parts and ships them abroad. But we can’t get anyone to give a statement against him.’ Jackie held a door open for Clare and they passed into another corridor.

‘Funnily enough,’ Clare said, ‘we’d a car stolen at the weekend. But it was recovered pretty quickly. I doubt it made it out of Fife, to be honest.’

Jackie smiled. ‘That’s something, then. Anyway, we have the three of them in separate interview rooms.’

‘How are they?’

‘Not bad. One of them looks pretty worried – guy by the name of Ferry.’

Clare nodded. ‘I think we’ll see him first, Jackie. I’d say he’s the one with the most to lose.’

Eamon Ferry was perched on the edge of a chair when Clare and Chris entered. He jumped to his feet and attempted a smile.

‘Inspector… and Sergeant, erm, I’m at a loss to know how I can help you.’

Clare invited him to sit again. Then she began the tape with the official preamble. In the face of such formality the colour left his face.

‘I…’ he began, ‘I’m not under suspicion here, am I? If so, I’d like a solicitor present.’

Clare smiled. ‘Of course, Mr Ferry. That is your legal right and we can wait for your solicitor to attend if you wish. However, you are not a suspect. Nor are you under arrest. We just wish to clarify some information that has recently come to light.’

His shoulders sagged and he relaxed back into his chair. ‘Well, as long as that’s clear.’

Clare reminded him he could suspend the interview at any point to wait for legal representation and he indicated she could begin.

‘First of all, Mr Ferry, I wonder if you can help us find Gaby and Luke. They didn’t turn up for their train to London and we haven’t been able to contact them since.’

Eamon spread his hands. ‘I’m sorry, Inspector. I really don’t know where they are.’

‘You wouldn’t know of anyone they might be staying with?’

‘They have so many friends,’ he said. ‘They’re probably somewhere in the city, catching up.’

Clare regarded him for a moment. His response was too glib, too practised. If he knew where they were, he’d been ready for the question. She decided to move on. ‘Perhaps you could tell us about the booking you made for Lamond Lodge.’