‘Any news of Gaby?’ David Fox asked as they re-entered the interview room.

Clare shook her head then she restarted the tape. ‘Mr Fox, I must remind you that you’re still under caution. Do you understand?’

David exhaled audibly and waved this away. ‘Yes, of course. I just want to know about my sister.’

Chris said, ‘As soon as we have any news we’ll let you know.’

David’s face softened. ‘Sorry. It’s… I’m worried, you know?’

Clare said, ‘Mr Fox, I am going to ask you a question and I want you to think very carefully before you answer.’

David’s eyes widened. ‘Erm, okay.’

‘Mr Fox, did you kill your brother Russell Fox?’

He stared at her for a moment, as though trying to process this. Then he said, ‘Of course I bloody didn’t. You think if I’d come all this way to put a bullet in his head I’d still be hanging around? That I’d come voluntarily into the station?’ He glanced at his solicitor. ‘You guys are unbelievable. You must be even more stupid than you look. I mean… what the actual fuck?’ His face was scarlet now and the solicitor put a restraining hand on his arm.

Clare said, ‘We recovered some DNA evidence from the murder site which we know has come from a male.’

David’s brow creased. ‘Can’t you tell whose it is? Put out a warrant for him – or whatever you call it?’

The solicitor said, ‘What is the evidence, Inspector? And how does it tie the owner of the DNA to the crime scene?’

Clare watched David Fox carefully. ‘The DNA was on a gun cartridge which we believe was ejected from the murder weapon when Mr Fox was shot dead. Unfortunately, it doesn’t match anyone on our database.’

David’s stared. ‘And you’re telling me because? You surely don’t think…’

‘As I said, we know it’s a man’s DNA and we’ve taken samples from the other guests at the Lodge.’

His eyes blazed. ‘Then take my DNA. Take it right now and send it off to your poxy lab. Then we’ll see how wrong you are.’

Sara was despatched to take David Fox’s DNA sample over to the lab in Dundee. Chris watched her go then turned back to Clare. ‘So what now?’

She stood thinking. What indeed? ‘We can’t release him,’ she said. ‘Not until we have the result back.’

Chris shook his head. ‘Even if they rush it through, Clare, it’s going to take a good few hours.’

‘I know. But—’ she was interrupted by a shout from Sara.

‘Janey on the phone, boss. Gaby’s regained consciousness.’

‘Yes!’ She took the phone from Sara. ‘Janey? How is she?’

‘Pretty groggy. A bit hoarse, too. They’re keeping her in but the doc’s agreed we can speak to her.’

‘On my way.’