He had his car door open when her phone rang. It was Holly, her voice triumphant. Vera listened. ‘Well done, Hol. Brilliant work!’ And she could sense Holly beaming on the other end of the line.

‘What was all that about?’ Joe pretended lack of interest, but she could tell that he was desperate to know.

‘Holly, showing a bit of initiative. George Enderby, one of the regulars at the Harbour Guest House, the publisher’s rep . . .’

Joe nodded.

‘He told us he was on his way to Newcastle for work, then to Scotland to visit a couple of independent bookshops there,’ Vera said. ‘And that tonight he was staying in Mardle again on his way home.’

‘And?’ Curiosity was getting the better of Joe and making him shirty.

‘He’s a publisher’s rep all right. One of their longest-serving employees, apparently. Very highly thought of. But he’s not at work this week. He finished last Friday for his Christmas holidays.’

‘So what’s he doing in Mardle?’

Chapter Twenty-Three

They were at the early-morning briefing and the focus was on George Enderby.

‘Why would Enderby come north to stay in Harbour Street if he’s not here for work?’ Vera was pacing up and down in front of the whiteboard. Since Holly had come up with the information, Vera had been worrying at the notion. She couldn’t see the man as a killer, but couldn’t imagine why he would lie. She looked around the room. Most of the team were bleary-eyed and untidy. No energy. She’d dragged them in early. ‘What do we know about him? Holly?’

‘Nothing,’ Holly said. She was still sharp and smart. ‘No record.’

‘Have we got him on CCTV?’

‘A possible sighting of him walking down Harbour Street towards the Coble with another guy on the day that Margaret died, but it’s just a back view from the Metro, so it’s hard to tell.’

Vera wondered if Holly had been to bed or if she’d been in the station all night. ‘Do we know where he is now?’

‘He checked into the Harbour Guest House yesterday. I phoned in the evening and got Chloe, Kate Dewar’s daughter. Apparently he asked if he could stay an extra night, so he’s not scheduled to leave until tomorrow. I’ve asked the team canvassing in the area to keep a lookout for his car, in case he changes his mind.’

Vera thought about that. ‘Okay. So why would Enderby want to hang around in Mardle if he’s the killer? Why not get away from the place as soon as he had the chance?’

Charlie raised a hand. ‘Some killers do haunt the crime scene. They get a thrill out of watching the investigation.’