Inspector Bill Stannard sat down opposite Diane. His voice was firm but kindly.

‘Mrs Harvey, I’m sorry to ask you to come in here today. This is Constable Sue Lincoln.’ He indicated a policewoman next to him. ‘There are a few questions we need to ask you. Just normal procedure. We need to establish what took place on Tuesday 1st of January this year, leading up to the tragic incident. Can you tell me everything that happened, starting from the time you got up that morning?’

‘I got up at 6.30, as usual, and went into the kitchen and made a cup of tea which I took to my husband in bed. I then showered, dressed, and took him his breakfast.’

‘As I understand it your husband Jack Harvey was practically bed ridden.’

‘His accident 10 years ago, left him with limited mobility - most of his time was spent sleeping or watching TV.’

‘What about personal care, did you have to provide that?’

‘No, he can manage as long as I help him to get to the bathroom.’

Constable Lincoln spoke next. ‘This must have been very difficult for you Mrs Harvey - it must have taken up a great deal of your time.’

‘Yes, but when you’ve been - we were,’ her voice shook slightly, ‘married for twenty years; it’s something you do automatically, look after each other that is.’

Inspector Stannard took over again. ‘Continue please Mrs Harvey.’

‘While Jack was eating, I tidied up and vacuumed. Then I helped him to the bathroom. When he was back in bed, I made sure he was comfortable, and went off to the supermarket.’

‘What time was this?’

‘Just after 8 – I go early before it gets too crowded, so I can get round quicker. I worry about leaving Jack alone.’

‘What time did you return?’

‘Nine thirty. I know because the news came on as I drove into our close.’ She hesitated for a moment before clearing her throat and continuing, ‘I went in, called out “I’m back”, put the shopping away, and then went to see if…’ Here her voice failed.

‘Would you like a break, Mrs Harvey?’ asked the inspector.

‘No – I’m alright. Could I have a glass of water please’ There was silence while Constable Lincoln left the room and returned with the water. Diane took it with hands that shook. She began to speak again. ‘I went to see if he needed anything. I found him half out of bed. I thought he was trying to get out, then I realised how still he was, and then I saw the blood.’

‘What did you do?’ asked Constable Lincoln.

‘I tried to lift him back into bed. He felt warm and so I thought he was alive, and then I realised he wasn’t. I left him and ran through to ring 999.’

‘And you said at the time that nothing was missing except the sum of £500 which had been in an envelope on your dressing table. That’s quite a considerable sum to keep in the house.’

‘It was for our heating oil. Jack always paid cash.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Harvey. If we need you again or have further developments, we’ll get in touch.’

Six months later, Diane was relaxing in her new conservatory. She was no longer obliged to rise at 6.30am to make tea and breakfast for her husband. On the days when she wasn’t working at her new part time job, at the local nursery, she was enjoying a lie in. In fact, Diane was having the time of her life.

She had failed to mention in her interviews with the police that Jack had been a tyrant of the first order. He revelled in his supposed incapacity, and constantly ordered her to fetch and carry. They didn’t have credit cards. She was allowed to draw out the same amount each month, plus extra for pending bills. He studied each bank statement, and timed her trips to the supermarket to the minute.

Jack’s murder was a complete mystery. No fingerprints and no weapon were ever recovered. Although Constable Sue Lincoln had her suspicions, there was absolutely no evidence to link Diane, the devoted wife to her husband’s death. A bank statement confirmed that five hundred pounds had been withdrawn a week before Jack’s murder and was found to be the sum quoted by the oil company.

The doorbell rang loudly and brought Diane back to the present. Standing on the doorstep was Inspector Bill Stannard.

‘Can I come in?’ he asked.

‘Certainly Inspector,’ answered Diane as she flung her arms around his neck.

Bill and Diane had met a year before in the supermarket. It had been love at first sight. They had hatched their plan in snatched moments in the freezer section. What could be more natural after being thrown into contact during the investigation, than for the inspector and the distraught wife to become close.