‘What?’

‘Now you’re mine forever.’ She looked sly. ‘Something’s off with the whole picture.’

For a moment I thought my knees were going to give way. The last thing I needed was Gwladys poking around, trying to stir up the rumour that there was foul play involved.

‘I think you’re reading too much into it.’

Gwladys shrugged.

‘Anyway, I need to get back to work.’

The sun was out, and fluffy white clouds scudded across a deep blue sky, but I drove back to the office in a cold sweat. At the top of the stairs I paused to take a breath, and experienced a curious sensation, as if my brain had slipped down to the back of my skull, and the rest of my head was trying to follow it. I felt myself swaying slightly, and grabbed hold of the banister. I stayed like that for a few moments before I was able to walk in a straight line again.

Maud was sitting in one of the chairs across from my desk. She turned her head when I entered my office and smiled at me.

‘Edie gave me a lift,’ she said. ‘I needed to come into town anyway and I thought I should check on you. You left so quickly after she told us the news.’

‘I was in shock, I suppose.’ I dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘I’ve seen him at the mortuary now. He’s really gone.’

‘It’s so sad. Did you see Sylvie?’

‘Yes.’ I shook my head, as if to clear it. ‘What did you need to do in town?’

‘Speak to someone in Legco about poaching.’

‘How’s that going?’

‘Slowly. No one seems to want to talk about a ban.’

‘I told you.’ I sat down in my chair.

There was a knock on the door and my secretary put her head around it.

‘Some policemen are here to see you, sir,’ she said.

Maud looked up at her then quickly back down.

‘Show them in.’ She backed out, and I cleared my throat. ‘They probably want to question everyone connected to Freddie’s death.’

‘Are you connected?’

‘I was at the Muthaiga last night.’

‘Are you alright?’ Maud asked. ‘It’s just routine, isn’t it?’

I felt my stomach tighten. ‘They might think I was back rather late.’

‘When did you get back?’

‘You didn’t hear me come in?’

‘No – was I awake?’

‘Yes.’

Maud bit her lip. ‘When did he die?’

‘Just before three.’

There was a knock on the door, and two men came in. One of them, slightly older, with a square jaw and bushy eyebrows, introduced himself as Assistant Inspector Arthur Phillips.

‘I’ve been talking to the neighbours,’ he said. ‘And I have a few follow-up questions for you regarding the night of Lord Hamilton’s death.’