Spencer wanted to make it clear that he had brought the details to the attention of everyone, but as DCI Collins had already given him a ticking off, he felt it would be wise to keep his mouth shut.

Tyler pointed to Spencer with his knife. ‘I want you, Spencer, to accompany DI Miller on the search. Because of the delay, if there was anything of value to the investigation, she has had plenty of time to get rid of it.’

‘Yes, guv.’ Spencer stood up, keen to make himself scarce before any other accusations could be thrown at him.

*

Florence Harris had arrived in a chauffeured Mercedes with dark tinted windows, hired from her local Ascot luxury car company. She was accompanied by Clara, her granddaughter, and two large designer shopping bags. Clara was wearing dungarees and a thick sweater, her hair held back in two plaits.

The driver opened the boot and removed one suitcase. The dogs barked furiously as they waited for the front door to open. Eventually George Henson, after bellowing for the dogs to be quiet, let them in.

Florence dropped the shopping bags to hug him. ‘I’m so glad you’re here, dearest. Could you just check that the car is what she would want? There aren’t many of this model with blacked-out windows in Ascot. You’d think there would be loads of them with all the races. Anyway, go and see if it’s OK, otherwise we’ll have to order another one.’

The dogs continued barking from the kitchen as George looked out through the window. ‘I’m sure it’ll be perfect,’ he said.

Justine appeared at the top of the stairs with a towel wrapped around her hair, wearing an old dressing gown. ‘Did you find a coat for Clara? She has to have one of those coats with a black velvet collar and little black velvet buttons.’

‘For goodness’ sake, Justine, I said I would get the coat, and I’ve got it. And we got a lovely dark navy cashmere dress with a little white collar for her to wear.’

‘That’s good.’ Justine looked down at her daughter, who stood forlornly with her head bowed, holding her grandmother’s hand. ‘You can wear white tights and your black patent-leather shoes.’

‘They’re too small.’ Clara pouted.

‘Nevertheless, you will be wearing them.’ Justine turned away, stopped, then leaned over the bannister. ‘George, will you be a darling and give them some food to shut them up? I’ve got a man out in the garden, putting in a proper fence so that Jack can’t get out again. The next-door neighbor is driving me mad just because he killed one of her pigeons. Oh . . . ’ She turned back to her mother. ‘I found some old photographs in the garage. The detectives were asking for photographs of Charles’s family or something. You won’t believe it, but I found Eunice’s phone number.’