Patrick Radden Keefe

became clear that the police were sort of feeling as though it would be tough for them to bring a murder prosecution because anybody who was charged with his murder would say, well, listen, we have the video.

He's on his own on the balcony.

But of course, the Brettlers then discovered that this guy, Verinder Sharma, who he was with, was not, as he had appeared, a kind of benign retired businessman, but a semi-retired gangster, better known in the London underworld as Indian Dave, a guy who was a real leg-breaker and extortionist, somebody who'd been linked to a very high-profile murder.

So Zach was in the apartment with a very dangerous man at the point where he went out and jumped into the river.

And that that man who had been in the apartment with him and then presumably knows that he goes off the balcony, turns off the lights and goes to sleep.

And when he speaks to Zach's parents several days later, doesn't say, oh, by the way, you know, your son is dead.

In fact, he said, oh, he's missing.

He must have just walked out of the apartment.

Yeah, indeed.

And I want to help you find him.

And I have a recording of that meeting, too.

And what's so heartbreaking is the Brettlers in that moment are so grateful to him.

They say, oh, thank you.

They're so desperate to find their son.

And they say, oh, thank you.

You're so kind.

It's so generous of you to try and help us find him, little knowing that Zach is dead and that he knows it.

So I think there are a few things going on.

I mean, I don't think I should say that this was a case of conspiracy on high.

I don't think it was that.