Page 146 of Murder in the Family

So are we talking a one-off encounter on that particular day, or an ongoing relationship of some kind?

PETER LASCELLES

For the purposes of our hypothetical case, let’s assume it was a woman the person in question met in a bar, and then spent the night with.

BILL SERAFINI

(nodding)

OK. And I see why that might be hard to substantiate in terms of an exact date. Unless they paid by credit card, or went to a hotel—

PETER LASCELLES

I think you should assume they didn’t.

BILL SERAFINI

Can I ask how old this hypothetical woman was?

PETER LASCELLES

Let’s say in her forties.

BILL SERAFINI

Right. OK, let’s park our hypothetical case for a moment and focus on the real one. Wilson’s in his twenties, right? Good-looking guy, too. So if he’d got hot and heavy with a lady of a certain age I can easily see him charming her into slipping him a fake alibi.

He continues to speak over RECONSTRUCTION. Video only, no audio: ‘Ian’ is in bed with an older woman. They talk, she smiles, then nods her head.

He asks her, casually, while they’re still in the sack, if she can do him a favour – it’s no biggie,just a spot of bother he can’t be bothered dealing with, so if anyone comes asking can she tell them their night of passion was actually the day before. She’s just had the best bang she can remember since way back when, so maybe she thinks, ‘Why the hell not?’

And by the time she realizes she’s gone and got herself tangled up in a murder inquiry Mr Smooth is long gone and she’s way too terrified to change her story and tell the truth.

PETER LASCELLES

(reaches for his beer)

You certainly tell a good tale, Bill. Ever thought of writing a novel? You could give that Ian Rankin bloke a run for his money.

BILL SERAFINI

(smiling)

Thanks. But do you think it’s plausible, as a scenario?

PETER LASCELLES

Only too plausible. And – hypothetically speaking – we would certainly have put exactly that version of events to the witness.

BILL SERAFINI

But she wouldn’t budge. And never has since, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

PETER LASCELLES

You might think so; I couldn’t possibly comment.

BILL SERAFINI

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