But the dog didn’t come. Neil had probably already fed it. He was such a softie when it came to Raffles; they’d even discussed getting a dog of their own.

She opened the back door and called her husband again, walking around the house to the garden. That was when she noticed that the French doors were wide open. No wonder the house was so cold! She tutted again, and closed them, peering into the kitchen but seeing no sign of either Neil or Raffles. Maybe the dog had gone home.

She walked back to the utility room door and closed it behind her. Instantly the chill started to lift. Neil was in big trouble.

After she’d finished unpacking the shopping, she unloaded the washing machine and flicked on the radio, then went into the kitchen area, where she swore she could hear the dog again.

‘Raffles?’

It was definitely the sound of a dog grooming itself, probably satisfied after a feed.

She went towards the kitchen sink and rounded the island.

Before she sank to her knees, she didn’t think to scream, nor did she have time to question whether she was in some kind of dream-like state. She simply vomited, and the dog came padding over to her, the fur around its mouth all red.

Next to the cooker, on his back, lay her husband of forty years, the father of her girls. He was covered in blood and his chest seemed to have been ripped apart. His skin was almost blue, and great black patches had formed on his arms. She knew he was dead.

When her senses came back to her, one by one, she wriggled towards him and felt his face: he was stone cold.

‘Neil! Neil! Help me!’

She found her voice and screamed, over and over again. She heard banging on the French windows and noticed her neighbour peering in. The dog ran to its owner, leaving a trail of bloody pawprints.

The neighbour came in, and when she saw the scene, she gagged and stepped away to dial 999.

When the ambulance arrived, the death was instantly treated like a homicide and Serious Crime was contacted.

Chapter 58

Counter-Corruption had taken over the offices on the top floor of Eden House. They hadn’t wasted any time, but that wasn’t surprising. Ormond was one of the top-ranking officers in the country.

Kelly walked wearily. She felt a bone tiredness akin to fatigue and knew that she was exhausted. Maybe she was coming down with something. She was shown to an interview room by a surly-looking officer in a suit who avoided eye contact. Her team were already waiting there, including Will Phillips.

‘Boss,’ Kate greeted her.

‘How’s everyone doing?’ Kelly asked. They filled her in and told her that the counter-corruption officers had begun trawling through their computer files and case documents.

The door opened and Emma’s name was called.