The woman identified herself as Petra Abt, a graphic design student at Dresden University of Technology. Müller now understood the garish murals decorating the walls. They were probably self-painted, either by Petra or her husband. It appeared they hadn’t yet had a visit from the Stasi in connection with the incident that had happened outside their block, because for most of the previous evening and night they’d been out at a punk concert. Her husband played in a band – so they’d had to go early for the set-up and soundcheck and then weren’t back till late. So far, they’d escaped the rounds conducted by Bahlow’s team, it appeared.

‘You’re the first police officer I’ve spoken to,’ insisted the woman. Despite her appearance, there was an openness and honesty to the young woman which Müller found quite appealing. She reminded her a little of Irma Behrendt – once of Rügen, and a feature of two of Müller’s high-profile cases. Now, apparently, enjoying her new life in a remote Austrian skiing valley. In Irma’s case, though, the bright-red hair was natural. Petra’s clearly wasn’t.

‘So what is it that you think you saw or heard that may be relevant?’ asked Müller, taking out her notebook and readying her pen.

‘Detlef and I were on the way back from his final rehearsal before the gig. We saw a man and a woman arguing near the building site, near where the body was found – well, I assume that’s where it was found. Where the police tape is.’

Müller nodded. ‘What time was this?’

‘It must have been about 10.30 p.m. or so on Monday – not that late.’

‘Was there anyone else about?’

‘No. It’s usually pretty quiet around here at that time. Not all the apartments are occupied yet, and as you’ve seen some aren’t even built. Detlef was about to go and intervene because it sounded very heated. There was pushing and shoving going on. But I told him to keep out of it. It looked like a domestic row. Sometimes those can look worse than they really are. How I wish now he had intervened.’

‘The row was violent, then?’

‘I wouldn’t say that exactly – pushing, shoving, shouting – that sort of thing. No actual blows being exchanged.’

‘Did you hear any details of exactly what was said?’

‘The man seemed to be repeating “You lied to me, you lied to me.” And the woman was saying “You never loved me anyway.”’

‘That’s why you concluded it was a lover’s argument?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘What about ages, appearance?’

‘I honestly couldn’t see a lot. They haven’t finished the street lighting yet. So you have the lights at the entrances to the blocks that are finished, like ours, and not much else. We usually carry a torch to get home safely.’