'Take a running jump.'
McGarvie paused before shifting to another line of questioning. 'Who were the people you were with outside the court?'
'His mates.'
'Family?'
'Don't ask me. We just stood together to make ourselves heard.'
'You didn't know them by name? They were mainly women.'
'I told you.'
'One of the women attacked Superintendent Diamond, the senior detective on the case.'
She said vaguely, 'Oh, yeah?'
'Scratched his face and kicked him when he fell. That's assault on a police officer.'
'Serve him right.'
'What?'
The temper ignited. 'He framed my boyfriend, got him sent down for life. What do you think I'm going to do? Cook him a fucking fruitcake?'
'Are you admitting to the assault?'
'Bollocks.'
'You know his wife has been murdered?'
She switched to defence. 'Oh, come on - you can't pin that on me just because . . .' In time, she managed to stop herself saying any more.
'You appreciate how serious this is?'
'I never . . . It's a load of crap. Is that why you pulled me in? I wouldn't do a thing like that to my worst enemy. I didn't even know the woman. I don't have a shooter. I never handled one in my life.'
'Don't get hysterical,' McGarvie said. 'Listen, Janie. No one is pinning anything on you. I may even take a lenient view of the assault on DS Diamond if you can put me on the trail of the killer. What have you heard?'
'Now he wants to do a deal,' she said as if to the unseen gallery. 'I keep telling you, I know sod all about the murder of this lady.'
'Was it a contract job? You could tell me that.'
'Go to hell.'
McGarvie tried different tacks, but either she was too afraid to speak, or she knew nothing. Presently he broke off the interview and came out, leaving Janie and the woman officer facing each other in silence.
He came to the observation room. 'Well?'
'She's the one with the sharp nails,' Diamond confirmed. 'What's her name?'
'Mary-Jane Forsyth, apparently. Likes to be known as Janie. Twenty-six. No previous. Calls herself a beautician.'
'And what's your take on her?'
'She's small change in the Carpenter set-up. Doesn't know much. But she's been around enough to know I won't press charges for the assault on you.'
'You're going to let her go?'
'When I'm ready.'
'If you like, I could try and get a reaction.'
'Peter, you're a glutton for punishment. Thanks, but no. I don't want you involved, and you know why.'
'Are you going back in?'
'Yes, but you don't have to stay and watch.'
'Try and stop me.'
When the tape was running again, McGarvie resumed with a fresh approach. 'Did you visit Jake while he was on remand?'
'Course I did,' Janie said.
'You're still number one in his life?'
'He's always been kind to me.'
'Have you been to see him in Horfield Prison, since the trial?'
She shook her head. 'They don't get many visitors.'
'But you're his girl. He'd like to see you more than anyone else.'
'I expect I'll get a turn. His brothers want to go first and talk about business things. Family stuff.'
