She made no reply to this and started the tape. The formalities completed, she began by asking him how the party came to be staying at Lamond Lodge.

There was just the hint of a smile. ‘I’m guessing you already know that, Inspector.’

She decided not to waste time. ‘You are one of the owners of the property, yes?’

The smile became a smirk. ‘Aye. So?’

‘And the other owner?’

‘Again, I reckon you already know.’

‘Val Docherty.’

‘Aye.’

‘What led to you go into partnership with Val?’

He avoided her eye. ‘Can’t remember. It’s a while back now. I had some money kicking around. Thought I might put it into property. So I put the word out and someb’dy said there was a pretty nice house near St Andrews. So, I’m thinking golfers, students with rich parents an’ all that. Made a lot o’ sense. But it was pricey, like. So someb’dy put me in touch with Val and we bought it between us.’

‘Who was that?’

He shrugged. ‘Sorry, Inspector. Can’t remember.’

Clare could feel her temper rising but she bit it back. ‘How long have you owned Lamond Lodge?’

‘Dunno. Four, maybe five years.’

‘And have you stayed there before?’

‘Couple of times.’

‘Recently?’

He shook his head. ‘Nah. Last year. Can’t remember the date.’

‘And since last year?’

‘Nope.’

‘You didn’t pay a visit ahead of your party? To check things were in order, for example?’

‘Why would I? Got the agents for that.’

This was like pulling teeth. She tried again. ‘Mind if I ask why you charged your friends to stay in a house you own?’

‘Business, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘Got bills to pay, council tax is a fortune, insurances… plus it’s not all mine. Like you said, I only part-own it.’ He shifted on his chair and flexed his fingers, making the knuckles crack. ‘And the agency get arsy if you make bookings they don’t get commission on.’

You had to hand it to him, Clare thought, he was well rehearsed. ‘Explain to me again,’ she went on, ‘how you came to arrange for the group of women to attend the party on Friday night.’

Doug Gerrard exhaled audibly and folded his arms. ‘Like I said, I met a lad in a pub.’

‘Which pub?’

‘Can’t remember. Anyway, met a lad, got chatting. Told him it was my mate’s fortieth and he said if I needed some girls to make the party go with a swing, he knew who to call.’

‘And who was that?’ Clare asked.

‘Can’t remember. So, he makes a call, then he gives me a number. I call. Spoke to someone…’

‘Man or woman?’

‘Does it matter?’

‘It might.’