They walked in the direction of the castle, passing the restaurants, kilt shops and tourist traps lining the road. It was early enough not to be busy, but as they neared the castle, a crowd of visitors catching the first entry of the day greeted them. Baarda dispensed with the queues by showing his badge and asking to see whoever was in charge. They were escorted to an administration building and from there, Nick Bowlzer was radioed to attend.

‘What’s up?’ Nick said, dropping into one of the low, comfy coffee-room chairs, legs spread wide.

‘Mr Bowlzer,’ Baarda began. ‘We’re here to ask you a few questions about Elspeth Dunwoody. I understand you knew her.’

‘Is that right? Who told you that?’

‘This is a police investigation and as such, we often can’t reveal sources of information. We’re only speaking to you as a potential witness. You’re not obliged to speak with us, but it’s important that we get a full picture of Mrs Dunwoody’s life and her movements in the months before she was abducted. Is there anything you can help us with?’ Baarda asked.

‘Not really. I’m not entirely sure how it is you think I can help you.’ Bowlzer was cocky and self-assured, but not stupid.

‘All right,’ Baarda said. ‘Did you have an intimate relationship with Mrs Dunwoody?’

Bowlzer gave a broad grin and scratched his stubble. ‘Do I need a lawyer?’

‘I don’t know. Do you?’ Baarda asked, his tone tightening. ‘I’m sure I can arrange one if there’s something you need to confess.’

‘My private life’s none of your business.’ The grin was gone.

‘It is in so far as your private life intersected with that of a missing woman, so you can be helpful voluntarily, or you can be helpful in a police station under caution. Your choice,’ Baarda said.

‘Fine. What do you want to know?’ Nick rolled up his sleeves.

‘When were you last in contact with Mrs Dunwoody?’

‘We met for coffee about a week before she was taken.’

‘And how would you describe the state of your relationship at that point?’ Baarda asked.

‘The state of my relationship? Are you asking if we were shagging?’

‘I suppose I am.’

Baarda sounded irritated. Connie felt the same.

‘Not then. We had been. I met her through Darpana, then we saw each other again at a charity event here. She looked bored, and I was going out for a cigarette so she came with. After that we saw each other a few times.’

‘So it wasn’t just a one-off event, then?’ Baarda clarified.

‘There were some hotel rooms, couple of times at my place. Couldn’t go to hers for obvious reasons.’

‘Who paid for the hotels?’ Baarda asked.

‘She did. Cash. Didn’t want her husband finding out, I guess.’