Ava stood. ‘You should know, I’m considering suspending you from duty until Pax Graham has a suspect in custody. I think it’d be better for everyone involved.’

‘You mean easier for you not to have me around.’

‘I mean better for MIT to be seen to have done the right thing if the shit hits the bloody propeller. Write up the additional statement DI Graham asked for, then make sure DS Tripp is completely up to date with all aspects of the Hawksmith–Shozo investigation.’

‘And how exactly are you going to justify that decision given that I continued working after Jenson’s death?’ he asked.

‘Quite easily, in fact. Jenson might have been a one-off, not connected with you at all. Now we have two victims, both linked to you, a pattern has been established that I can no longer ignore. You know it makes sense,’ she added more gently.

‘I know we make sense,’ Callanach said.

Ava looked at him, her face blank, her body completely still.

‘There is no we,’ she said. ‘Close the door on your way out.’

Rune Maclure walked in as Callanach was exiting, offering them both a solemn smile with a warm good morning.

‘That was quick, thanks for making contact,’ Ava said, motioning towards a chair and waiting for Callanach to shut the door before proceeding.

‘I’m amazed you could see me so soon. You must be rushed off your feet,’ Maclure said. ‘I won’t take up much of your time, but I read an online news blog this morning. I gather there’s been another death under suspicious circumstances.’

‘That sounds more vague than it really is, I’m afraid. It’s definitely a murder.’

‘And I gather the victim’s name is Osaki Shozo, a Japanese national who settled here after his marriage?’

‘That’s right,’ Ava confirmed.

‘Then you should know that Mr Shozo came to our offices a few days ago. I’d say he was suicidal, only not like I’ve seen with other people,’ he paused. ‘More as if he was weighing up his options. That sounds cold and calculating, which isn’t the impression I got of him at all. If anything, suicide was a cultural option he felt obliged to consider. I did my best to persuade him otherwise, I had hoped with some success.’

‘I can assure you, Mr Maclure, that whatever advice you gave had no bearing whatsoever on Mr Shozo’s death. Far from it, in fact.’

‘May I ask how?’

‘Electrocution,’ Ava said. ‘Is there anything in particular you remember about your discussion with the victim?’