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‘Sounds pretty perfect.’
‘They weren’t perfect. He didn’t tell her everything.’
‘Such as?’
Patrick pauses, thinking. ‘Stuff that might wind her up.’
‘Anything in particular?’ Hal is intrigued.
Patrick shrugs. ‘She kept him on a pretty tight leash sometimes.’
‘Do you want to be more specific?’
‘He was depressed, and he didn’t tell her.’
‘He told you this himself?’
‘He wasn’t supposed to be talking to me, but he did and that’s what he told me. He wouldn’t have wanted her to know. He was protective of Nicole.’
‘Do you think he was suicidal?’
Patrick shakes his head. ‘No.’
‘When did you last speak to him?’
There’s another hesitation before Patrick says, ‘About a month ago.’
‘Was that when he told you how he was feeling?’
‘Yes, and I know, I should have followed up. I feel bad about it. I called him because I wanted to make amends after rowing about the money. It didn’t work. Tom said that it would take a bit of time for Nicole to forgive me so I should keep laying low for a while.’
‘Did he tell you if he was seeking help for his depression?’
‘No. I told him he should, though.’
‘How did you find out he had passed away?’
‘She posted on Facebook.’
‘When did you last see him in person?’
‘I came here to visit the site, while this place was still being built. It was last autumn.’
‘And where were you on the morning Tom died?’ Hal says.
‘I was at home in Birmingham.’
‘Were you with anyone?’
‘I was at my gym.’
Hal notes the details. They need checking asap.
‘You gave Nicole quite a scare,’ he says. ‘She’s very shaken up.’
‘Look, I’m a lowlife. I’m a lying scum sometimes. But I’m a lowlife with a big heart. I loved Tom and I love Nicole. End of story. Can I please apologise to her? I shouldn’t have put her through this. Let me explain everything. I owe it to her.’
‘We’ll have to ask her if she’s happy with that.’
