Fergus stood up slowly, recovering from the shock, his hand clasping his cheek.

‘That’s right,’ he said. ‘Daddy’s little angel. You thought the sun shone out of her fucking arsehole. Even when she popped a bastard sprog, she was still the golden girl. She never lifted a fucking finger to help with the business but still you’d have chosen her over me if you had to, wouldn’t you?’

‘Is that why you killed her?’ Tom said, standing too. There was an opportunity here that they had to grab. He and Ray had discussed whether they should claim that Fiona had been seen getting into Fergus’ car, anything that might frighten him into confessing, but that would have been dangerous. If he’d picked her up somewhere remote, he’d have known they were reaching. But he saw now that they could rile the young man into confessing. He was a loose cannon, not a calculated killer like Charlie Lane. His role in her death would probably have come to light already, were it not for the Lane distraction.

Fergus laughed at him.

‘Yeah. Yeah, right. I killed her because of a little bit of sibling rivalry. Your lot must have to deal with a massacre a day. Nice try, Inspector.’

Caroline Holland stood up and crossed the room. She pulled her husband aside and stood in front of her son, staring up at him.

Tom watched as she placed her hands on either side of his face, tenderly, like any mother would to comfort her son.

‘Did you kill her?’ she whispered, her voice imploring.

Fergus’ expression shifted between anger and confusion.

‘Do you think I’m capable of that?’ he replied.

Caroline sighed.

‘I gave birth to you, my darling. I carried you in my body for nine months and I laboured to deliver you. When I held you, my firstborn, I knew that I would always love you. No matter what. Do you hear me? No matter what. You were my baby. You stole my heart. You still have it and you always will. Fiona could be … difficult. I understand that. But did you hurt her? I need to know.’

Tears began to flow down Caroline’s face.

Fergus swallowed and tried to pull her hands away, but she held him firm.

Richard placed his hand on her arm. She shook him off. There were only two people in the room – Caroline and her son.

‘Did you kill her?’ she asked again. ‘I’m begging you. Tell me. I won’t have any peace until I know. None of us will. It has to be said out loud before we can move on.’

Fergus’ eyes began to well up. He bowed his head close to hers and a sob erupted from his throat.

The inspector barely heard the whispered, ‘Yes’.