‘Let’s see if they can find the gun,’ Clare said. ‘Our Mr Gerrard is too damn cocky for his own good. We might just get a print or two off that gun, or the case.’

‘And if not?’

Clare’s shrugged. ‘We can hold onto Doug for a few hours yet before we have to charge him. If necessary we can apply to have his detention extended. But I reckon we have enough to charge the pair of them. Doug with Incitement to Commit Murder and I’ll have a bloody good go a Possession of a Firearm, with Intent.’

‘And the TV lad?’

‘Luke? Conspiracy to Commit. My guess is their defence advocates will turn on each other and sling enough mud so they both go down for it.’

‘And drugging the wife?’

Clare frowned. ‘That’s a toughie. I’m going to speak to her later on. At the very least I can make her aware of our suspicions. It’s up to her if she takes it on board or not.’

It was almost seven o’clock when Clare heard the gun had been found.

‘There’s a kind of old summerhouse,’ Chris said. ‘Over the hedge from the main part of the grounds. Not been used for years by the look of it. Trees grown up all round. But there’s a new padlock and the windows were boarded up.’

‘They got in?’

He nodded. ‘Bolt cutters but they got in. Gun case was behind a load of old garden furniture. SOCO are going over it now.’

‘It’s enough,’ she said. ‘Let’s get them charged.’

Doug Gerrard assured Clare he would be out of custody by morning.

‘Go for it,’ Clare said. ‘Do your worst!’

Luke Gasparini burst into tears when he was told he’d be remanded in custody.

‘They’re gonna love him in Perth prison,’ Chris said. ‘All his airs and graces.’

‘Won’t they just,’ Clare agreed. ‘I couldn’t care less about those two, but I do feel for Mark Mooney.’

‘He’s a cold-blooded killer.’

‘The lad’s right,’ Tony agreed. ‘Shot Russell Fox with a high-powered rifle. Deserves all he gets.’

Clare inclined her head. ‘You’re probably right,’ she said. ‘All the same… those wee boys.’

‘You’re getting soft in your old age,’ Tony said. ‘Must be that virus. It’s warped your brain.’

‘What about David Fox?’ Chris said. ‘He’s still in custody.’

Clare shook her head. ‘Right now, Chris, I have no idea what to do with him.’

‘You have to charge him,’ Tony said. ‘He’s another one. Bloody maniac.’

Clare sank down in a chair. She was suddenly dog-tired. ‘His brother’s just been gunned down, shot by one of his closest friends; and then his brother-in-law tries to kill his sister.’ She shook her head. ‘You can see how…’

‘Charge him with abduction,’ Tony said. ‘If you don’t, I will.’

‘Suppose.’ She yawned.