Vargas and Torres entered the interview room together and sat down opposite Bianchi, who had now been joined by her lawyer. The chief inspector placed a file on the table and flicked open the cover, revealing the incriminating bank statements. He saw Bianchi glance down at the papers and then instantly look away. He still felt slightly unnerved by her similarity to his wife but could almost smell her fear and decided to go straight in for the kill. He pressed the button on the tape machine and sat back in his chair.

“Señora Bianchi, we have irrefutable video evidence that proves that, on the evening of 26 January 2012, you wilfully committed the crime of arson at the Twenty-Fifth Division Police Station. We know you waited for over five hours in the washroom before starting the fire, once you thought everybody had left for the night.”

He paused to gauge her reaction. Her eyes began to well up, and her left arm, which was resting on the table, began to shake. He had no intention of letting up and turned the screw.

“We also know about your gambling debts and the illicit payments you have been receiving every month. We believe you have been abusing your position to provide confidential information on current police investigations to a third party.”

Bianchi was now crying uncontrollably, and her head slumped forward onto the table.

Vargas then went for the coup de grâce. “As a direct result of your actions, six murders have taken place. Plus, one of my fellow officers has been killed, as well as two criminals. We plan to charge you as an accessory to murder and you will face a minimum prison sentence of twenty-five years.”

Bianchi was now a complete wreck. Vargas switched off the audio recorder and stepped away from the table. “Olivia, it doesn’t have to go like this. There is another way. You need to tell us everything you know about the people you’ve been working for. I suggest you have a good think about it. I’ll be back in an hour.”

Vargas didn’t need to wait an hour. Fifteen minutes later, Bianchi’s lawyer sent a message saying his client was ready to trade. Torres and Vargas resumed their positions behind the table and the interview continued. Bianchi had managed to compose herself and began by asking Vargas a question of her own.

“How will you protect me and my daughter from harm?”

Vargas deliberately left the audio recorder off before answering. “Olivia, we will put you both under our protection. Your daughter will be collected from university and taken to a safe house where you will be able to join her. How helpful you prove as a state witness will ultimately determine your future. Now, shall we begin?”

Bianchi nodded her understanding that an informal deal had been reached and Vargas switched on the recorder.

“How and when did they first make contact with you?”