‘Where do you think they might be?’ Clare asked.

‘No idea. Maybe they wanted a break away, after what happened.’

Clare smiled. ‘Okay, Mr Christie. Just a few more questions.’

‘Sure. Fire away.’

‘How well did you know David Fox?’

His eyes narrowed but he didn’t reply.

‘Gaby and Russell’s brother,’ Chris added. ‘The one who died.’

‘Yeah, of course. I er… I know who you mean. Just surprised you’re asking.’

‘You remember David?’

He inclined his head. ‘Not really. He was that wee bit younger, you see? Obviously tragic what happened.’

‘Did you ever meet him? After you left school, I mean?’

‘No. We didn’t have the same friends. And he was always a bit…’

They waited.

‘Well, a bit odd, to be honest.’

‘In what way?’

‘He… didn’t seem to think he needed to get a job. All that travelling, bumming off his mum and dad. Didn’t sit right with me.’

Clare thought doing a bit of travelling was a lot better than dealing in guns but she stopped short of saying so.

‘There was a memorial, though,’ he said.

‘Did you go?’

‘Ah no, Inspector.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘I was otherwise engaged, ye know. At Her Majesty’s pleasure.’

Clare nodded. She glanced at Chris. ‘I think that’s everything, Mr Christie. Unless…’

Chris shook his head.

‘Thanks for your time,’ Clare said. ‘Obviously if Gaby or Luke get in touch…’

‘Yeah, I’ll let you know.’ He rose from his chair. ‘I can go then, yeah?’

Clare smiled. ‘Yes. If you just let us finish up here we’ll escort you to the door.’

He laughed. ‘I reckon I can find my way, Inspector. Plenty practice.’

They watched him stride out of the station fishing car keys from his pocket.

‘You know,’ Clare said, as they walked back towards the interview rooms, ‘he’s the only one of the three who’s done time, but I think he’s probably the most honest.’

‘He’s still a convicted criminal,’ Chris said.

‘He is. But there’s something more straightforward about him. That Eamon Ferry is too smooth for my liking. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could chuck him. And as for Doug Gerrard…’

‘You ready for him?’

‘Am I ever!’

Doug Gerrard was casually dressed in faded jeans and a zip-neck sports top. He raised an eyebrow when Clare and Chris entered the room but didn’t speak. Clare thanked him for attending, said they would keep him as short a time as possible and reminded him he could have legal representation at any time.

‘Am I likely to need it?’

Clare smiled. ‘I hope not, Mr Gerrard. This isn’t a formal interview and you are here voluntarily.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘It didn’t quite sound like that to me.’