He didn’t, but Wynne knew she couldn’t say how she knew Best. An unproven allegation of interest in underage girls – Wynne happened to believe it, but that was irrelevant – was not something she could share with the general public. It was slander.

It was also a coincidence.

And Wynne did not like coincidences.

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘It’s a small town. I’ve come across him a few times. He seems a pleasant man.’ She hesitated. ‘I was wondering whether you would be OK with me talking to James? About the night he was brought home?’

‘Why?’ Martin said. ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

‘Probably nothing,’ Wynne said. ‘But it’s better to be thorough.’

There was a silence on the line. ‘Then feel free,’ he said.

2

James sat on the couch. His hands were folded in his lap, his fingers moving nervously.

‘Am I in trouble?’ he said. ‘For underage drinking?’

‘Not with me,’ Wynne replied. ‘Although I imagine your mum and dad aren’t too pleased.’

He sat back on the couch. ‘Then what is it?’

‘I want to talk to you about what happened that night. Why don’t you take me through it?’

‘Is someone else in trouble? For selling us alcohol?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m not really interested in that kind of thing. And I can promise you I won’t do anything with any information you give me. I want you to speak as freely as possible.’

‘OK.’ He paused. ‘Me and Andy went – we went to see a film. We saw Pirates of the Caribbean. Andy had some White Lightning cider and he snuck it in. We drank it and we were pretty loud – laughing, that kind of thing – and the usher kicked us out. So we went to the park, and on the way we bought some Mad Dog—’

‘Mad Dog?’ Wynne said.

‘It’s a drink: MD twenty-twenty. We call it Mad Dog. It’s cheap.’

‘And you drank it in the park?’

He nodded. ‘We bought four bottles. I drank a bit more than Andy, I think.’

‘And then what?’

‘I was sick, and I lay down by the roundabout. Andy said we should go home and after that I don’t really remember anything until I woke up at home.’

‘And Mr Best?’ She leaned forward. ‘Do you remember seeing him?’

‘No. I think I’d passed out before he showed up.’

‘You didn’t see him before you passed out? In the park?’

‘No. Why would I? Has he done something?’

Wynne shook her head. ‘Just checking.’ She got to her feet. ‘Thank you, James. That was very helpful. I can see myself out.’

3

DI Wynne walked up to Best’s front door and rang the doorbell. She stepped back and waited.