‘Then I saw Gaby in that hospital bed. I saw her lying there and I asked her about the pills. Just between us, I said. I won’t tell the shrinks. You can tell me. And she said, I’m telling them I don’t remember, but I know I didn’t take them.’ David shook his head. ‘And I knew she was telling the truth. I might have been away for seventeen years, Inspector, but I know my sister. She wouldn’t have done it. So that only left one option.’ He jerked his head down at Luke. ‘Tell them why you did it?’ He pressed the knife closer to Luke’s throat. ‘Or, so help me God, I’ll finish you right here.’

A dark stain began to appear at Luke’s crotch.

‘I think,’ Clare said, ‘Luke’s had enough, David. Maybe if you put the knife away?’

David’s expression hardened. ‘He can piss himself till the cows come home. We’re not moving from here until he tells you.’ He nudged Luke’s shoulder. ‘Go on.’

The knife had grazed the skin on Luke’s throat and blood began to seep out from the blade. Chris and Bill exchanged glances and Clare tried to remember what she’d learned about the veins and arteries in the neck. Wasn’t there something about a large muscle protecting the jugular? The knife, while clearly sharp, seemed to be an ordinary kitchen knife. It would probably take a fair bit of force to inflict a fatal wound. But she couldn’t take the chance.

David had noticed the graze on Luke’s throat and he held the blade away a little, allowing the blood to trickle down Luke’s neck. It wasn’t a deep nick, Clare thought, but the sooner they had the knife off David the better. She didn’t think Luke knew he was bleeding. But, if he did feel the blood, might he panic?

‘Go on,’ David said, tugging Luke’s hair with his free hand.

Luke winced at this then opened his eyes. He flicked them round the room and found Clare’s face. ‘It… was Doug,’ he began. ‘All Doug’s idea.’

Clare nodded at this. ‘Can you explain, Luke? Help us understand.’