She muttered to Marta again, then spoke to me. ‘No. We are neighbours. He knows everyone round here.’

Dan raised his eyebrows at me.

‘OK. Last few questions – did your husband have any arguments recently?’

‘Ne.’

‘Anyone unhappy about you two opening the soup shop?’ She’d dodged my question about how things had been difficult for them recently.

Marta spoke to her sister in a low voice. Then to me, she said, ‘She can’t think of anyone. If she does, we’ll call you.’

‘I’ve almost finished. Mrs Ulbiene? It’s very important. Who might want to harm your husband or your business?’

Indra glanced at her sister for a cue. Marta was shaking her head from side to side.

‘I’ve answered. I don’t know.’

I didn’t believe her but there was something else I needed to ask before she clammed up. ‘OK. This is the last question. I’m so sorry. There’s no easy way to tell you this. We found a woman with your husband. They were curled round each other on what looks like was a bed. Do you know who the woman might have been?’

‘No idea,’ came her quick response.

Shock was written all over Marta’s face.

‘I don’t want to answer any more questions. I’m tired. Could you leave me now, please?’ Indra flashed me an angry expression. ‘Nurse. Nurse.’

‘Of course.’ I bundled my notepad into my bag. ‘An officer will come later today to take a formal statement from you. You will be asked to provide details of all the people your husband had fall-outs with, and anyone you think might want to harm him or you, or your business.’ I placed my contact card on the bedside table. ‘I’m sorry, but you will also be asked about the woman in the fire. If you remember why you rang 999, please call me. I hope you feel stronger soon.’ I turned to Marta and said gently, ‘Could I have a word, please?’ I gestured for her to follow me towards the ward exit and the lobby area where the lifts were.

Marta placed her hand reassuringly on her sister’s arm for a moment. ‘Nebus ilgas.’ She tailed me across the ward, dragging her boots on the linoleum and tutting loudly, in case we hadn’t got the message that she was pissed off with us.

Once we were out of earshot, I turned and faced her. ‘I understand that you’re concerned about your sister, but two people are dead, and you were hindering a murder investigation back there. Given you brought things to a halt, perhaps you can help us with the information we need? Do you know who might have had it in for your sister and brother-in-law?’

‘No.’

‘How about just Simas?’