‘You didn’t think you were missing out?’ Chris said.

He laughed. ‘After years on the road, bunking in hostels, no privacy and all that, you’ve no idea how good it felt to have a room to myself, especially in a house like that. And, like I said, it kind of suits me, being dead.’

Clare’s head was thumping now, despite Sara’s Lemsip, and she was trying to work out where to go with this interview. Maybe she should have left it to Chris and Tony. She forced herself to concentrate. ‘Mr Fox, how did you enter the country without a passport?’

He suppressed a smile ‘That would be telling, Inspector.’

‘We could charge you.’

‘To be honest, I’m past caring. I just want to know my sister’s okay.’

Clare studied him. Was he telling the truth? Or was Luke’s version of events true? If Luke was to be believed, then the more David Fox talked, the more likely he was to trip himself up. ‘Where did you spend Thursday night?’ she asked.

‘Thursday? Erm, nowhere really. It was a nice night. Rain had cleared up so I walked till dusk. Passed a farm and I found a barn. Dossed down in the corner.’ He shrugged. ‘Amazing what you get used to.’

‘And Friday?’

‘Gaby phoned. Said Luke had found a quiet cottage – they planned to stay a few days. Nice place.’ He nodded. ‘Chance to catch up properly. Without the other lads, you know?’

‘Where was this?’

‘Hazelton-something, she said. I’d never heard of it but I gave Gaby my location and she sent a taxi.’

‘And was it?’

‘Was it what?’

‘A chance to catch up?’

He looked at them. ‘Course it was. I mean she’d been through a hellish time; and we’d a lot of years to make up for.’

‘And that was the first time you’d met Gaby’s husband?’

‘Luke? Yeah. He was there, obviously. But he was pretty good about it. Left us alone for a fair bit so we could talk.’ He smiled at this. ‘I think Gaby appreciated it. Seems a decent bloke.’

Clare glanced at Chris, wondering what David Fox would have said if he’d heard Luke’s statement… was it just yesterday? She closed her eyes for a moment, wishing her head would clear. What was the truth, here? Then she forced herself to concentrate. ‘And this morning?’

‘Luke and Gaby said they planned to stay in the cottage for a few more days. Before going back down south, you know? I think Luke had some business in Scotland. And he seemed to think Gaby needed the rest.’

‘You didn’t want to stay on with them? Spend a bit more time with Gaby?’

‘Course I did. But I needed to come back here too. I’d missed a couple of guys at the shelter when I left and I wanted to say a proper goodbye.’

‘And then?’