Foreman aimed unblinking eyes at James and shook his head.

‘I had a legitimate reason to be angry with him, Detective. He took me for an idiot even though we were mates. It’s probably obvious to you now that I have a short fuse and I’m full of bluster. But I’m not a fucking murderer. I did not go to the farm on Christmas Eve or any other day. I haven’t been there in months.’

‘So where were you on Christmas Eve?’ This from Stevens.

‘I was at home all day with my wife. I closed the warehouse the day before and we’re not due to open again until tomorrow. I was also at home on Christmas Day.’

‘And can anyone else apart from your wife verify that?’

For the first time he hesitated before responding, and James got the impression that he suddenly wasn’t so cocky and confident.

‘We spent Christmas by ourselves,’ he said. ‘The only time I left the house was on Boxing Day to go into town to pick up some groceries. You can ask my wife.’

‘Is this the same wife who accused you of hitting her a year ago, Mr Foreman?’ James asked.

He wasn’t surprised when the lawyer slammed his hand down on the table in protest.

‘That accusation was withdrawn, as you well know, Inspector,’ he said. ‘To bring it up now is completely out of order. It’s irrelevant in respect of the matter at hand.’

‘I don’t agree, Mr Haig,’ James said. ‘I’ve been involved in numerous cases where a wife was forced to provide her husband with a false alibi.’

‘Well I can assure you that’s not true in this case. And your aggressive line of questioning makes it clear why Mr Foreman was absolutely right to refuse to speak to you without legal representation.’

‘They’re out to stitch me up,’ Foreman broke in. ‘It’s as clear as day.’

‘That’s nonsense, Mr Foreman,’ James said. ‘I’m merely drawing attention to the fact that your explanation is not as convincing as you seem to think it is. And for that reason, we will need to speak to your wife and carry out a search of your home and car.’

Foreman’s jaw tightened and bulged. ‘You’ve got to be joking. I had nothing to do with what happened to that family. And my wife doesn’t live in fear of me or do things just because I tell her to.’

‘Even so, you threatened Mr Bateman in writing only hours before he and his family were killed. We can’t simply take your word for it that your only intention was to seize some of his belongings as payment for an outstanding debt. It warrants further investigation.’

‘So, what do you intend to do now?’ the lawyer asked.