Nita said, ‘Is there any indication he’s connected to the house party?’

Clare spread her hands. ‘Only this: Doug Gerrard told Eamon Ferry he knew of a house they could use and, if they booked it, he’d throw in a security guard for free.’ She looked round the room. ‘And anyone with a connection to our Mr Gerrard is definitely on my radar.’ She stood thinking for a minute. ‘Anything else?’

Heads shook. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Let’s keep checking on Luke and Doug. Money, personal lives, Doug’s pubs – anything at all, I want to know about it; and I’d like someone on Mark Mooney too. Dig a bit deeper there. See if you can find any connection to the house party.’ She looked round at them. ‘We are getting there, guys. Just one last push.’

Jim was waiting when they drifted out of the incident room. ‘The lad Mooney’s here to see Chris.’

‘At last! Thanks, Jim,’ Clare said. ‘Where is he?’

‘Interview room one.’

Mark Mooney looked up as they entered the room.

‘Mr Mooney,’ Clare said. ‘Thanks so much for coming in.’

‘Sure, Inspector. Hoping it’s just a quick thing. I’m working this evening and I could do with getting my head down for a couple of hours.’

Clare smiled and sat down. ‘Might need you to put that off,’ she said. ‘I’d like your permission to take a sample of DNA from you.’

The colour drained from his face. ‘Erm, mind if I ask why?’

‘Hopefully just a formality. We suddenly realised we’d tested everyone who’d been at Lamond Lodge over the weekend but we hadn’t tested you. In most cases it’s to rule someone out, rather than in.’ She looked to Chris for support and he nodded on cue.

Mark Mooney was silent for a moment. Then he said, ‘I’m no’ keen, to be honest, Inspector. Ye hear about mix-ups at labs and all that.’ He laughed as if trying to make light of it, but his eyes betrayed him. ‘Just be my luck, ye ken?’

‘I understand, Mr Mooney,’ Clare said. ‘But I can tell you these mix-ups are incredibly rare. They almost never happen.’

‘Talked up by the papers,’ Chris added.

Mark Mooney frowned. ‘All the same.’

Clare said, ‘Mr Mooney. I’m afraid if you do not agree we’ll arrest you which will give us the power to take your DNA with reasonable force, if necessary. But we’d prefer to do it with your consent.’

‘Better not to be arrested if you can avoid it,’ Chris said.

His gaze dropped as he appeared to be weighing this up. Then he glanced at the door. Chris rose from his seat and moved between Mark and the door. ‘I wouldn’t if I were you, Mr Mooney.’

He looked at Chris for a moment, hand on his chin. Then he said, ‘I’d like a solicitor, please.’

Chapter 45