"So we not only killed her and disposed of the body, but we tried to drive her mad as well. Is that right?"
Tom nodded emphatically. "Yes, that was the plan. What legal grounds are there that can be used to challenge a person's last will and testament? There aren't many. Duress, lack of provision for dependents, fraud and mental incompetence pretty much covers it. Someone spending a decade reporting apparitions following her will do a lot to build a credible case to challenge the strength of their mental faculties. Having the police effectively instruct her to stop wasting their time must have been music to your ears. All the phone calls, following her and scaring her in the dark… all of it just to sow the seeds of doubt for a later claim against her estate. Thinking about it, if Mary's body was never found and there were no suspicion of foul play, you could even push a theory related to suicide when seeking to have her declared legally dead. The plan was still salvageable, just as long as the murder remained concealed. But there is one thing I don't believe you're aware of."
"And that is?" Justin asked, venom in his tone.
"That you succeeded. Mary went to her GP, concerned about her state of mind, and they ran a battery of tests to see if she was suffering from dementia or any other condition. And you know what? She passed. There was nothing wrong with her state of mind. I'm betting we'll find no evidence of a family disposition to mental health either, but that's for another day."
Tom's mobile rang and he reached into his pocket to retrieve it, all whilst not taking his eye off Justin. He answered without looking at the screen. All four of them sat in silence as Tom listened to the caller. Janet looked up at her son who was agitated but maintained the eye contact with Tom. He was curious as to what was being said, Tom could tell.
"Okay. Thank you," Tom said, hanging up. "Where were we?"
"I'm hoping you're about to offer us some evidence to back up this wild theory of yours, Inspector. Because if not, I think you should leave."
Tom looked at Cassie and winked. "Well, as you know, we arrested and charged Liam Hansell earlier today with the murder of Adrian Gage. During the interview, it became apparent that Mr Hansell was involved in an extra-marital, casual, relationship with another man. A married man. Any idea who that might be, Mr Howell?"
Justin's face drained of colour. His grip on his mother's hand must have changed because she looked at him inquisitively.
"Justin? Do you know?" she asked.
Justin stared at Tom, his lips parting.
"Now, we know it was a discreet affair," Tom said. "Communication was minimal. Judging from the digital records we have obtained from Mr Hansell's mobile phone, it is clear that he arranged these casual meetings via a dating app used by homosexual and bisexual men. There don't appear to be many profiles in this immediate area and most use pseudonyms, but presumably once people got to know one another they would be more inclined to make arrangements directly rather than through the app. I doubt there are many users of this particular application in this area. In large urban areas, yes, but not so many here. The pool is a lot smaller, so to speak."
Janet was staring at her son now, her eyebrows knitted. "Justin, whatever does he mean?"
Tom continued. "You see, Janet, on my last visit I took your son's reaction to your comments surrounding sexuality to be merely the result of a child's embarrassment. After all, we all have those relatives who make pronouncements that we're uncomfortable with on occasion – the ageing racist uncle at the family wedding or the one member of the family who can't stop talking negatively about immigration in front of your Spanish girlfriend. But it wasn't that, was it, Justin?"
"Tell him he's wrong, Justin," Janet said. She shook his forearm as if to stimulate his defence of the suggestion. Justin's expression didn't change. He averted his gaze from both Tom and his mother. "Justin!" she repeated, shaking him ever more aggressively. He snatched away his arm.
"Mother! For crying out loud, leave me alone."
Janet was shocked, retracting her hand slowly, open-mouthed. Tom shook his head.
"You shouldn't have kept the mobile phone," he said softly. "But I can see why you did. You bought it to harass your aunt. It was untraceable. The police couldn't even find you. So when it came for you to explore yourself more freely, of course you'll return to the anonymity of the prepay phone. If the police couldn't trace it to you no one else would. Not your wife," he said, turning to Janet. "Or your mother. And you should know that the call I received was from Detective Chief Inspector Greave, who is currently searching your home. We have the mobile phone." Janet gasped. "Furthermore, your wife Miriam has openly said she wasn't at home the night we found Mary's body out at Blakeney Point. She was out with two friends for the evening, so you were lying about who you were with, if not where you were."
Justin took a deep breath, chewing on his lower lip. He closed his eyes, steadying himself. "I have nothing more to say."
"That's perfectly okay," Tom said. "You need not say another word as far as I'm concerned. We have enough."
"Those bloody birds!" Janet hissed.
"Mother, please be quiet!"
"No, I won't!" she snapped. "You think you know people, those closest to you and then you find out you don't know them at all."
Justin looked between Tom and his mother, his eyes glazing over as he realised the comment was directed at him. He reached for her hand, but she sharply withdrew it from his reach. "Mother," he said quietly. She
