‘I guess,’ Eden replied.

‘But, as I’ve said, they’re all under pressure to solve crimes, meet targets. When Niall’s body is recovered from the bottom of the Beachy Head cliffs, it’s going to be an easy tick-box exercise for them. He’s claimed his wife has gone missing. The evidence points to him lying, and to him having murdered her, even if they don’t have actual proof. All the stuff you did with his phone, our clever work making sure your car was in all the right places at the right times, all the evidence you planted in the house. And the master stroke of the shallow grave. It’s there on a plate for the plod. If they had concerns before, this deals with them. They’re going to be happy, you and I will be happy. It’s a win-win!’

‘Can’t we do this without killing him?’

Rebecca cocked her head. ‘You’d be taking a big personal risk. Think about it. You’ve faked your disappearance and in the process left a complex trail of evidence indicating that your husband’s murdered you and disposed of your body. Do you want to risk ending up in court and getting a criminal record? That would finish your career and prevent you from ever getting a decent job again. And leave your bastard, abusive husband out there biding his time for revenge?’

Eden was silent for a long while. Finally, she said gloomily, ‘What a sodding mess.’

Rebecca shook her head. ‘Nope, not at all. As I said, trust me. I have a plan.’

101

Monday 9 September

When Roy Grace arrived home shortly after 6.30 p.m., Cleo was sitting on a sofa in the living area, her laptop on the coffee table in front of her, wearing headphones and nodding her head to music while reading a book.

She clearly hadn’t heard Humphrey barking his greeting to his master, nor the sound of the door, and she looked up with a start as her husband entered the room. Instantly, she tapped a key on her laptop and removed the headset. ‘Darling, hi! Great you’re home early! I thought you’d be much later.’

He kissed her, then hesitantly said, ‘Managed to escape!’

‘Good!’

‘What are you reading?’

‘It’s by Laura Whitmore.’ She held the book up and he looked at the catchy cover.

‘No One Can Change Your Life Except For You,’ he read out. ‘Is it good?’

She nodded. ‘It is, yes, very. I bought it because I thought I might learn something for Bruno. I like the way she writes, really down to earth, no nonsense. Listen to this.’ She flipped back a couple of pages and read aloud, ‘“We can blame the selfish or thoughtless actions of others for our circumstances, but we can’t change those actions. We can change how we comprehend them or how we act.”’

He nodded. ‘Very true. So, how are you?’

She gave him a wan smile. ‘I’m bearing up, I suppose – how about you?’

He took a deep breath. ‘The same. I’m fine so long as I’m busy. The moment I stop, I start thinking about everything. How’s Noah?’