“Mrs DeLuca?” Frost asked again.

She nodded. Her eyes finally meeting the detectives one by one. “Detectives Frost and Rizzoli.” Jane introduced them slowly. “May we come in?”

Mrs DeLuca stepped slowly aside and gestured for them to come in. She offered them a seat and some coffee before taking her own seat and hanging her head.

“We were married 68 years y’know? Back in the spring of 1943.” She paused to wipe her face with tissue pulled from her sleeve. “He was home from the war…” Tears choked her voice and she fell into silence.

“I’m so sorry for your loss Mrs DeLuca” Jane moved to sit beside her, reaching out a hand as some small comfort.

“Are you married Detective?” Mrs DeLuca looked up suddenly.

“No Ma’am, I’m not.” Jane replied.

“You?” Mrs DeLuca’s attention turned to Frost, who shook his head.

“That’s a shame.”

“Mrs DeLuca.” Jane continued softly. “We need to ask you some questions about last night.”

Mrs DeLuca nodded. “Procedure.” She mumbled. “Protocol.”

Jane smiled. “Yes. Could you tell us what you saw?”

Mrs DeLuca looked up at her slowly. “Well my eyesight isn’t as good as it was.” She admitted sadly, “We went to bed about 9.30, after my shows.” She began, “Arthur heard a noise at about 10pm and got up to look.” Sobs wracked her body and Jane reached into her pocket for another tissue. “When he didn’t come back, I got up to see. He was in the garden, shouting at a man in the car. He was trying to stop him and then he… the man…. He was in the car and he… he….”

“It’s ok Mrs DeLuca. We’ll find who did this!” Jane promised as the woman fell into her shoulder, her body shaking with tears.

“Grams?” Frost jumped to his feet immediately as a young man entered the room.

Mrs DeLuca looked up and wiped at her face with the saturated tissues. “Please excuse me.” She said, getting to her feet. “I need a moment to compose myself.”

“What’s happening?” the young man asked. “Who are you?”

“Detectives Frost and Rizzoli, Boston homicide. You’re Jason?” Frost showed the boy his badge and gestured for him to sit. He nodded and collapsed into the nearest chair. “We’re investigating your grandfather’s murder.” Jane told him, as she got to her feet and lifted a photograph from the fireplace. “You were close?” She asked nonchalantly as she surveyed the room.