Marlow:How was your wife, when she heard the news?

Nate:Well, I don’t know – she was shocked.
     Sorry, I really don’t get what you’re suggesting. Are you saying Laura was lying? That the phone call was all one big act or something?

Marlow:We both know it wouldn’t be the first time she’s lied to you in the last twenty-four hours.

Nate:She wasn’t lying about the fire.

Marlow:Can you tell me what her relationship with Janie Wood is like? Are they friends?

Nate:Janie? Harry’s wife? No, not especially. I don’t think Laura has any relationship with her – why?

Marlow:What’s Laura like with her friends, do you know? Is she a very loyal person? The type who would do anything for them?

Nate:Her friends? I don’t understand. I mean she’s got a few close ones from school and university that she still sees, but … Sorry, what’s this got to do with anything?

Marlow:Nate, we have reason to believe your wife knows a lot more about the fire last night than she’s letting on. And the best thing she can do for herself is to start talking, because I have a feeling she might be covering up for someone.

Nate:No way. My wife wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t risk that, she … Christ! Listen, Laura barely has anything to do with anyone in that office. She’s not friends with them.

Marlow:Right. But you said earlier she was obsessed with someone in the office once – before Mia, that is. Tell me about this person.

Nate:Saskia? (shakes head) This was two, maybe three years ago. A long time. Laura and she were good friends, but then they had a falling-out. Really, what’s that got to do with any of this?

Marlow:Humour me. What happened to Saskia?

Nate:(sighs) Saskia’s boyfriend worked at Morris & Wood too, but Laura found out he was being made redundant. She didn’t tell Saskia it was happening. That was all. Laura was more senior than Saskia. I think Saskia even reported into her. It was confidential information, and Laura decided she couldn’t say anything.

Marlow:By the sounds of it, Laura did the right thing.

Nate:She did. Only Saskia didn’t see it that way and they fell out. And then things took a turn for the worse and Laura became convinced Saskia was out to get her.

Marlow:Out to get her in what way?

Nate:She thought she was trying to destroy her career, spreading gossip about … I don’t recall all the ins and outs of it, but Laura was certain Saskia was setting her up. But like I keep telling you, whatever’s happened with Mia, it has absolutely nothing to do with the fire. My wife’s not capable of anything like that.