Lucy and Ian found Lee Webster at the recycling depot on the outskirts of Samford. Wearing a high-vis orange jacket, he guided their vehicle around the route towards a bay in front of some skips marked for general waste.

At five foot six, he barely reached Lucy’s chin, but what he lacked in height he made up for in breadth. Lee’s neck was as thick as a bull’s and covered in tattoos. Behind his ears were inked designs of dragons with open mouths, shooting flames over his temples and scalp.

‘Fuck me! Poor sod. Charlotte was killed?’

‘I’m afraid so. Were you a friend of the family?’

He barked a laugh. ‘Nah, I wouldn’t have been welcome round his house, let alone his neighbourhood. Charlotte was definitely not keen on anyone from his past turning up, love.’

Lucy tried not to bristle at the comment.

‘We were at your flat and tried to rouse you early this morning at about three but you didn’t answer the doorbell.’

‘Didn’t hear you. Sorry. I sleep like the proverbial log. I always do. It comes from having a clear conscience.’

‘And your phone was switched off.’

‘I always turn it off at night.’

‘You don’t use it to set your alarm?’

‘I have a proper alarm – a clock. I like old-fashioned stuff.’ He smirked.

‘You didn’t respond to the message we left for you to get in touch.’

‘Sorry. I didn’t pick it up. I was in a hurry to get to work. I was running late. I would have contacted you once I’d listened to it.’

Lucy couldn’t prove otherwise for the moment, so she decided to continue interviewing him. It was important to establish Adam’s alibi. ‘You knew Charlotte?’

‘Not especially. I used to see her out and about when they lived at their old place, which was closer to Adam’s boxing club, but not much since they moved, only on the odd occasion around town. I’ve spotted her driving around.’

‘How would you describe your relationship with Adam?’

‘He and I have history. We shared accommodation for a while, shall we say?’

‘You mean you were at the same prison at the same time?’

‘No, I mean we shared a cell in the same prison.’ His jaw moved up and down as he chewed some gum. His eyes never left her face. ‘He was my cellmate. We stayed in touch. When I came out we hooked up again.’

‘We’re trying to establish Adam’s movements last night.’

‘I can help you with that. He was with me. We were both at the White Horse. He came in for last orders and then we went back to my flat in Samford. Had a couple of cans and he left before midnight.’

‘Did he walk to the flat?’

‘Nah. He drove. We both drove. I took my car. He took his.’

‘Which car was he driving?’

‘The Bentley.’

‘Any idea of the exact time he left you?’

‘Eleven forty.’

‘You seem very certain of that fact.’

‘I checked the time after he went. I had to set my alarm clock for work.’ The corners of his mouth pulled into a half-smile. ‘So that’s how I know.’

‘He was with you the entire time?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Did anyone else see either of you together?’

‘The barman at the White Horse. Name’s Vitor. He’s from Portugal. He’ll remember Adam – we go there often. There wasn’t anyone else in at the time.’

‘I imagine, from what you said earlier, that you’ve never been to Adam’s house?’

‘I didn’t even go round to their old house. We might be mates but I wasn’t welcome there. Charlotte wouldn’t have liked that much.’

‘And do you know that for certain? Did Adam tell you Charlotte didn’t want you around?’

His eyes narrowed and a sly smile crept across his face. ‘You’re suggesting I had a problem with Charlotte, aren’t you? I know how you lot work. Well, love, as it happens, I didn’t want to drop in for cosy chats with Adam and his missus. I’m a loner. I don’t like folk knowing about my past. Adam knows more about me than anyone else and I like to keep it like that. It suited us both to meet up at his gym or at the pub. Anyway, from what little I know about his wife, Charlotte was a fucking basket case.’

‘In what way?’

He released a puff of irritation. ‘In the same way many women are. She blew hot and cold all the time; threw tantrums when she didn’t get her own way. He didn’t discuss their relationship, only let off steam when he was pissed off because she was giving him a hard time, or her parents were.’

‘When did you arrange last night’s meeting?’

‘Yesterday afternoon.’

‘Did he tell you he was going out for dinner first?’

‘Mentioned something about it. Said he’d be in the pub before last orders.’ He glared at her. ‘Listen, love, this isn’t working. You’re leading me to talk about Adam and then try and pick holes in his alibi. Give up now. The poor fucker’s lost his wife. Adam and I meet up a couple of times a month, usually after he’s finished work. I like the guy. We have a shared history together. In a place like Sudford Prison, you soon find out who to trust and who to avoid. Look at me. I look a right hard bastard, don’t I? I haven’t always looked this way. When I first went inside, I was ordinary-looking and I found it really fucking difficult, if you get my drift. I quickly made enemies. When Adam was sent down, he became my cellmate, and he looked out for me. Nobody dared mess with him, and consequently they left me alone too. He helped me get into better physical shape. He trained me up in the cell. Put me through a daily routine. Taught me moves so when he was released, I was able to handle myself and manage without him. We formed a proper friendship, the sort that stands the test of time. Nobody in the real world wants to know an ex-con. Adam did. He let me sleep in the back office at the boxing club until I could find a job. He helped me get back on my feet. He even loaned me money. Nowadays, I train at his club, help out with the youngsters there when I can, and we go out for a drink now and again.’

‘Did he ever talk about his son?’

‘I’m an unmarried ex-con who works at a shitty recycling unit. I rent a crappy flat and spend my free time wanking off to porn or trying to get laid. Why would I want to listen to some bloke banging on about his wife and kid? I’m not fucking interested in that sort of thing.’

Lucy wasn’t going to be sidelined by his aggression. ‘Did he mention his in-laws last night?’

‘Only to say they were being total wankers as usual.’

‘He doesn’t like them?’

‘Adam’s like me; he doesn’t like many people. Can’t blame us, can you? We have to be extra cautious. First sign of trouble and the police come straight for us. Adam’s a decent guy. He does a lot of good for the community. He runs a free boxing club for youngsters who haven’t had a promising start in life – boys and girls like him – and he lets blokes like me, who can’t afford membership fees at other places, use it too. I bet crime’s gone down with him giving those kids a place to go to on an evening. You should thank him for making your lives easier. He was with me last night. I can promise you that. You ought to give him a break, love, not be trying to hound him.’

‘I can assure you we’re not hounding him, as you put it. We have to check the whereabouts of everyone who knew the victims.’

‘Yeah, right. Course you do.’ He chewed again then spat on the ground. ‘We done here?’

‘What did you do after Adam left last night?’

‘Went to bed.’

‘You didn’t go out?’

‘Why would I do that, officer?’ He smiled as he hissed the last word. ‘If you think I did, then prove it. I was in my place until eight a.m. when I came to work. Check my mobile or whatever it is you do to find out my movements. It’s a fucking nanny state in this country these days. Everyone’s being watched all the time. I’m sure you can figure out where I was and find out I’m telling you the truth.’

‘Did Adam contact you overnight? Did he ring you to tell you about his wife being killed?’

‘How could he? My phone was switched off. I didn’t know about it until you told me. Why are you asking these ridiculous questions?’

‘Just checking.’

‘Now you’ve checked, I have to get back to work,’ he said, looking up and spotting a red Volvo estate car pulling in behind Lucy and Ian’s car. ‘Have to help folk dump their stuff in the correct skip.’

He sauntered off, whistling tunelessly, leaving Lucy frustrated. She’d have a quick chat with Vitor, the barman at the White Horse, and then she’d have to call it in. If he was telling the truth, Adam was not guilty of murdering his wife. That left them with the problem of finding out just who did.

‘Tough nut,’ said Ian.

‘Bit cocky but unless we find a hole in his alibi, we’re stuffed. Look, let’s go to Inge’s and then I’ll drop you back at the station to attend the meeting, and I’ll talk to Vitor.’

‘Fine by me.’

---

After half an hour of fast driving, Lucy and Ian found themselves in the kitchen of 29 Pebble Avenue, Brompton. Two kittens were hurtling around the room, tumbling over each other as they scooted between chair legs and onto shelves, then dived onto the floor again.

Inge Redfern blew her nose loudly on a tissue. Her mother, Sabine, a pleasant-faced woman with light-grey eyes, stroked the girl’s hair, her face screwed up in confusion.

‘I don’t understand,’ Sabine said. ‘I only saw Charlotte yesterday morning. We had coffee together.’

Inge let out another sob that warranted soothing sounds from her mother. ‘Shh, sweetheart,’ she murmured.

‘I understand it’s a terrible shock for you both,’ said Lucy. ‘We really are most dreadfully sorry for your loss. Were you very close to Charlotte?’

The kittens knocked over a vase, sending it clattering to the floor. Sabine pounced on them, scooping them into her arms and putting them outside the back door. ‘Sorry, I can’t be doing with them.’ She let out a heartfelt sigh. ‘I’ve only known Charlotte for about a year but we were close enough. We met when she first came to the hospital where I work, for check-ups. I’m an obstetrician. I actually delivered Alfie.’ She stopped to brush away a tear that spilled over her eyelashes. Outside, one of the kittens jumped onto the window ledge and miaowed plaintively. Lucy had to wait until Sabine could speak again. She moved towards her daughter and stood close to her.

‘We hit it off and I liked her hugely. She was such a vibrant, fun person. She and I used to go out regularly for coffee or a drink when I wasn’t on shift. It was me who suggested Inge as a babysitter. She needed someone reliable and I thought of my own daughter.’

Lucy smiled at the stricken girl, whose hands now clung to her mother’s. She kept her tone light. ‘Did you babysit Alfie often?’

‘Once or twice a week. I only started working for them a few weeks ago. If I wasn’t at college, I looked after Alfie so Charlotte could go to salon appointments and some evenings she and Adam went out together.’ She sniffed back sobs. Her mother smoothed back a stray strand of hair.

Inge spoke again. ‘Alfie usually sleeps. He sleeps such a lot. Now and then, he wakes up and I put him on his activity mat or play with him, or cuddle him. He’s started smiling, you know? He recognises my face and he smiles at me when I pick him up. He kicks his feet like he’s excited to see me.’ Her eyes filled.

Her mother hugged her tightly. ‘It’s okay, Inge. It’s okay,’ she whispered.

‘What happened to Charlotte?’ Sabine asked Lucy.

Lucy was ready for the question. ‘We’re trying to piece together the events of last night to work that out, Mrs Redfern. I understand it’s extremely distressing for your daughter, yet we really need to know what happened after Charlotte and Adam came home. Can you tell us, Inge?’

Inge snivelled some more then managed to speak. ‘Charlotte came in alone. I was watching TV. The programme had only just begun, so it must have been soon after ten. She seemed pretty drunk, to be honest. She was slurring her words and kept swaying. She had to hold on to the door frame at one point. I’ve not seen her like that before. She didn’t think I’d noticed and was trying to play it cool. She told me Adam was waiting to take me home so I collected my books, said goodnight and went straight outside to the car. Adam was searching through some music on his iPhone. He put on Rita Ora – we both like her – and drove me straight home.’

‘Did he discuss or mention his plans for after he’d dropped you off?’

‘No.’

‘Did you see him turn the car around and head back in the direction of Eastborough?’

‘No. I didn’t watch him leave. I came straight inside.’

‘Were you at home when Inge got in, Mrs Redfern?’

‘No. I was on shift at the hospital.’

‘And your husband?’

‘He’s in Bratislava this weekend on business. He’ll be back on Sunday evening.’

‘Can you remember shutting the door behind you when you left the Brannons’ house, Inge?’

The girl looked up at her mother, a moment of confusion on her face. ‘I think so.’

‘Charlotte didn’t shut the door after you, then?’

Her eyebrows furrowed. ‘No. She wandered off into the kitchen, I think. She definitely didn’t follow me to the front door, and I’m certain I shut it behind me. I tugged at the doorknob to make sure it was closed. I always do that. I do the same with our door handle.’

Lucy gave another smile. Ian continued writing notes in his notepad, head lowered as he did so.

‘How did Adam seem?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Was he in a good mood?’

Inge shrugged. ‘He was, I dunno, just Adam.’

‘And how was that?’

‘He drove me home and paid me.’

‘He didn’t discuss the evening, or Charlotte, or ask you about your studies?’

‘He asked how I was getting on with my revision. He knows I have exams coming up.’

‘Did he seem anxious or angry?’

Inge shook her head, eyebrows lowered further. ‘If he was, I didn’t notice.’

‘Did you ever hear Adam and Charlotte arguing?’

‘Mu-um, I don’t want to talk about them any more.’ Inge looked up at her mother, tears once more in her eyes. Her face crumpled.

‘You have to, sweetheart. Tell them.’

Inge sniffed before speaking, face contorted as if each word were painful to utter. ‘I heard them arguing once or twice. Adam was cross with her last night when I arrived because she took too long to get ready. Nothing serious. Charlotte likes clothes and make-up. She likes to look good. She looked beautiful last night.’

‘You never heard Adam threaten her?’

‘No. Never. He didn’t hurt Charlotte. I know he didn’t. He wouldn’t.’ She was becoming hysterical again.

‘We won’t trouble you any further, Inge. When you feel more able to, I might like to ask you some further questions.’ Lucy stood up. Inge was resting her head in her mother’s lap.

‘I’m truly sorry to bring you such bad news.’

Sabine acknowledged her with a small nod. ‘There’s something. It’s probably nothing…’ she started to say then changed her mind.

‘Go on? It might be useful,’ Lucy said.

‘No, it’s nothing. Charlotte mentioned one day – about a month ago – that Adam didn’t want anything to do with the child: wouldn’t change him, push him in his buggy or anything. Some new fathers need time to adjust. They resent a newborn taking up the mother’s time and love. They feel left out. I advised her to encourage him to spend time with Alfie alone and to include him more in everyday activities. I think she was partly to blame. She was so protective of Alfie.’

‘That’s not true,’ said Inge. ‘Adam loved Alfie. He told me so.’

Sabine ignored the fresh outburst. ‘Charlotte told me he left everything to her. He told her it wasn’t his place to deal with the baby. I’m not saying he didn’t love Alfie but he kept his distance. I think it caused problems between them. Charlotte said they argued a lot about it. She was at the end of her tether with him. You asked Inge if Adam and Charlotte rowed, and from what Charlotte told me, they did, usually over Alfie.’

‘You’re making Adam out to be some sort of monster. I saw how he looked at Alfie. He’d go into the nursery and just stand and look at him. He cared about Alfie, Mum. He cared.’ Inge’s face was red and blotchy and her voice had risen. She was close to hysteria.

Lucy decided it was time to depart. They had some information. How useful it would be, Lucy didn’t know, but it was at least a starting point.

As they walked to the car, Ian let out a sigh. Lucy had an idea what was troubling him. He was thinking of Ruby, his baby daughter. He’d mentioned her a few times in the office when Natalie and Murray weren’t about. ‘You want to talk about it?’ she said.

‘You reckon that’s possible?’

‘What?’

‘That a man can father a child and not want to be involved in his or her life?’

‘Human nature always confounds me,’ she answered, unlocking the car and standing beside the driver’s door. ‘We’re very complex and our emotions often lead us to behave in ways others may find peculiar. You’re talking to somebody whose mother gave her away when she was a baby. The answer is yes, I think it’s quite possible.’

Ian climbed into the passenger seat. ‘I can’t imagine it. I’m finding it hard not being able to see my daughter every day. I want to be part of her life, even if her mother doesn’t want me to be part of hers.’

Lucy turned the key in the ignition and threw the car into gear. She offered him a genuine smile that transformed her looks. ‘Then your daughter is a very lucky girl,’ she said.