“Then maybe I should come too,” I said. “Don’t you think it would be a good idea if I went to see my grandfather and enlisted his help? He’s seen plenty of murders during his time on the force. Perhaps I could persuade him to come down here.”

“Your grandfather is a splendid old chap,” Darcy said. “But I can hardly see him dining at Kingsdowne.”

“I don’t mean as a guest in the house,” I said. “Maybe he could pose as my chauffeur or something. Or even stay at a pub in the village.”

“I think we have to be careful, Georgie,” Darcy said. “I’m not even sure it’s a good idea to try and bring in Scotland Yard. Your grandfather would be seen as a terrible interference. And remember, the Kentish police are officially in charge until they request help.”

“But you can see that poor old Fairbotham doesn’t have a clue,” I said. “He’s arresting people left, right and center.”

“I’d say he has two reasonably good suspects,” Darcy said. “Jack and William would stand out as good candidates, whoever was doing the investigation.”

“I’d still like to talk it over with Granddad,” I said. “Maybe he’d have an idea why Cedric’s coat was put over him, and why the stab wound didn’t produce much blood. I’m sure those are important clues.”

“I understand perfectly, Georgie. You really want to get away from here as much as I do, don’t you, darling,” Belinda said. “A day in town will do you good. We could have a bite at Fortnum’s.”

“Now all we have to do is to persuade the chief inspector that we can leave the scene of the crime,” Darcy said ominously.

“He can’t possibly think that we had anything to do with Cedric’s death,” Belinda said.

“He clearly thinks Georgie is all right,” Darcy said with a quick glance in my direction. “Those two are thick as thieves. But you, Belinda—I’m afraid you’re a suspicious person to him. Someone who was chummy with Cedric in London, who is currently hard up, who arrives conveniently bringing a shoe when Cedric is killed. And you’re dealing with a policeman who loves circumstantial evidence. My bet is that you’ll be in the next-door cell to Jack by the end of the day.”

“Don’t, Darcy,” Belinda said, swinging her handbag at him. “It’s not funny. You’re frightening me.”

“He’s only teasing, Belinda.”

“I know. But it all sounds too plausible. I just wish they’d hurry up and find the real murderer. Let’s hope there were lovely fingerprints on the knife and someone confesses.”

“That’s a little too easy,” I said. “But I really hope they find out the truth soon. It must be horrid for Jack with everyone half believing that he did it.”