Graeme went out to the jetty with the intention of carrying on working for a bit before taking Tilly out for a sail. The Lady of the Lake was being launched today, and they could watch from the water. The police had said they had everything they needed, and had allowed the boatyard and the boat herself to be released back to their original duties. Few people knew exactly where the body had been found, but these things always had a nasty habit of leaking out. It could actually turn the Lady into a tourist attraction, who knew?

Tilly looked tense when she strolled into the yard. Graeme had only known her for two days, but he knew anxiety when he saw it, and instinct warned him to tread carefully. It was time to have a proper conversation, but he didn’t want to scare her off. He’d been through her handbag when she was asleep; he’d also tried to log into her computer, but had found nothing. Johnny had a point: he had been completely sucked in. He needed to find out more about her. His brain screamed at him to walk away, but he couldn’t. He was too fascinated by her. And he liked her.

He smiled warmly and the tension left her brow. She was beginning to dress like a local, the jeans and pretty blouse of the day he’d met her replaced by shorts, flip-flops and a warm gilet. She had great legs. He signalled to her that he wouldn’t be long. The occasion of a launch was always a spectacle and Tilly had shown more interest than he’d thought she might. She’d said she’d love to go out on the boat to watch, but that she had to make a few calls first. He’d arranged to meet her at the marina and left her room. Whatever it was she was up to, he was sure it wasn’t what she said it was.

Finally, he finished what he was doing and strode over to her.

‘Did you bring your smart camera?’ he asked.

‘Oh fuck!’

‘How could you forget that? It’s massive!’

‘I’ll go back for it.’

‘Are you all right? You seem jumpy.’

Up close, she looked pale. Several members of staff glanced over at their boss’s new focus of attention. Tilly kept glancing over her shoulder.

‘Actually, could you come with me?’

‘Of course. What is it?’

‘There were two men hanging about this morning close to the guest house.’

Graeme laughed. ‘Some of the locals are a bit odd.’

She ignored him. They left the marina and walked along the road towards the village.

‘Don’t you think it’s about time you told me what this is all about?’ Graeme said. ‘I mean, I’ve only known you for a day or two, but I think you should just come clean.’

She stopped and looked at him.