‘We’ll probably want to talk to you again, Mr Patel,’ James said. ‘And we may want to carry out a more thorough search of your property.’

‘Well, next time I won’t be so accommodating and you’ll have to go through a solicitor,’ Patel said.

Before leaving the cottage, he agreed to provide them with a DNA swab and gave them a glass covered with his fingerprints.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Giles Keegan was home when they got to his house this time. He was clearly surprised to see them, but didn’t hesitate to invite them in.

‘I’ve heard about Daniel Curtis,’ he said. ‘I can’t believe I actually suspected him of being the perp.’

‘How did you find out about it, Giles?’ James asked him after introducing DC Abbott.

‘Gordon Carver phoned me for a comment. He knows I was part of the team that put Daniel away’

The three of them sat around the table in Keegan’s kitchen-cum-dining room. To James, Keegan looked pale and anxious, and he didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. Was that a sign of guilt, James wondered? Or just nerves?

‘So, here’s the thing, Giles,’ James said. ‘We’re here to question you as a suspect and I strongly suggest that you cooperate to save a lot of time and aggravation.’

Keegan’s eyes lit up with a sudden fury. ‘Do your superiors know about this, Detective? Because if not I’m sure—’

‘Stop right there,’ James interjected. ‘You are not above the law just because you’re an ex-copper. You’re someone who got involved with two of the three people who’ve been murdered. And only a couple of days ago you also made it clear to me that you hated Daniel Curtis. You said he had an evil streak running through him. And that’s enough to make you a person of interest to us.’

‘I disagree, Detective. I’ve explained why I confronted Daniel Curtis outside the school on Friday and I’ve told you about my relationship with Lorna. And if that’s all you’ve got to go on then you’ve got sod all.’

‘Actually, that’s not all we’ve got, Giles. For instance, we know you had an argument with Daniel in the square yesterday. And Lorna’s son has told us that his mum was glad to get shot of you on the night she was killed.’

Keegan was suddenly on the back foot, and it was obvious to James that he knew it. His nostrils flared as he drew the back of his hand across his stubble.

‘Let’s start with your encounter with Daniel yesterday,’ James said. ‘A witness described it as a heated argument.’

‘Who was the witness?’

‘I’m not at liberty to say and you know it. I’m assuming you’re not going to deny it?’

Keegan licked his lips and a shadow settled behind his eyes.

‘I saw him while I was walking through the village so I confronted him about Lorna,’ he said. ‘I wanted to know if he’d been waiting for her outside the school.’