‘I beg to differ,’ the DI butts in. ‘What we’re hearing is proof of a longstanding pattern of your emotional abuse of your family, not to mention your own unreliability. Go on, May.’

I continue. ‘You’ve already told us that it was Hollie who messed Dylan up. However, I have it from a reliable source that after Dylan broke it off with her, Hollie was devastated.’

‘Then your source is incorrect,’ he says coldly.

‘Just as your medical practice had incorrect records of the date Hollie came to see you? And your wife incorrectly remembers how she got all those bruises?’ I say pointedly. ‘Isn’t that rather a lot of other people getting it wrong?’

For once, he’s silent. The DI takes over. ‘Tell us about Mason, Doctor Buckley. We know he and James Hampton are involved in a business investment. Did either of them ever approach you about it?’

‘I’ve told you before, I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ His voice is icy.

The DI gets straight to the point. ‘We’re talking about porn, Doctor Buckley, including pornographic images of children.’

‘Do you honestly think I’d get involved in something like that?’ His voice is full of contempt.

‘Seeing as we have your phone, and forensics is taking a look, we’ll soon find out. We’ve also seized Mason’s computers. If your name appears anywhere, it’s only a matter of time before we find it.’

When he doesn’t speak, I go on. ‘Meanwhile, your wife and daughter are staying somewhere else for a while. So far, Doctor Buckley, we will be charging you with controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as assault. Potentially we’re looking at adding possession of child porn and perverting the course of justice, so if you know anything about Mason’s business, now would be your time to tell us.’

A light glints in Buckley’s eye as he struggles to rein his anger in. ‘I have not assaulted anyone. Nor am I in possession of pornographic images. This isn’t the end of this, Detective Inspector. I have a busy surgery and patients to see. This is insanity.’

The DI gets up. ‘I’m afraid your patients are going to have to manage without you.’

*

Outside the interview room, the DI looks irritated. ‘He’s a tricky bastard. He could well be connected with Mason, probably using a false name. And if he is, we’ll find it. It’s just a question of how long it takes to dig through tech forensics.’

‘I’ll call Elise Buckley and let her know what’s happening.’

‘Impress on her that even though we’re holding him, she can’t stay at their home. She needs to be somewhere safe, just in case Buckley’s lawyer pulls some stunt.’ He starts walking towards his office. ‘There must be someone in that village who knows something.’