He shrugged. ‘Dunno. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Could have been a woman with a deep voice, or a man with a high one. Anyway, I told them the date, said how many there were of us and whoever it was said to leave it to them.’

Chris leaned forward. ‘Did money change hands?’

‘Oh sergeant,’ Doug said, grinning. ‘You’ll have to try harder than that.’ He looked back at Clare and nodded at Chris. ‘No, money did not change hands. That would be illegal, wouldn’t it?’

Clare decided to change the subject. ‘Are you aware Gaby Fox and her husband didn’t catch their train to London?’

This seemed to amuse him. ‘Nothing to do with me.’

‘So you don’t know where they are?’

‘Er, no! I don’t.’

‘You’ve not spoken to them since leaving Lamond Lodge?’

‘Nope.’

Clare glanced at Chris, and he took his cue.

‘What do you know about the younger brother David?’

‘Nothing.’

‘You don’t remember him?’

‘Not really. He wasn’t around much. Always heading off somewhere in the world. Russell talked about him sometimes – where he was and so on. I wasn’t that interested, to be honest.’

For the first time since the investigation began Clare found herself wondering what sort of man Russell Fox was, and why he’d been friends with someone like Doug Gerrard. A thought struck her and she said, ‘Did you know Russell planned to sell his restaurants?’

He nodded. ‘Yeah. Matter of fact, I said I might be interested.’

Clare said, ‘You were considering buying Russell Fox’s restaurants?’

‘Yeah. All above board, obviously.’

‘Had you made an offer?’

He shook his head. ‘Nah. It was early days. But I probably would have. He ran them well. Good investment for somebody.’

Clare glanced at Chris. There was nothing to be learned here. Doug Gerrard was far too well prepared. She ended the interview. ‘If you do hear from either Gaby or Luke,’ she said, ‘I’d like you to contact me immediately.’ She withdrew a card from her pocket and held it out.

He looked at the card for a few seconds then said, ‘Don’t worry. I’ll find you.’

Chapter 34

‘I really hate that guy,’ Clare said, as she accelerated up the slip road to join the M80.

‘We’re all with you on that,’ Chris said.

Clare waved her thanks to the car behind which had flashed her out then she rubbed her temple.

‘You got a sore head?’

She grimaced. ‘More a thick head. Been fuzzy all day.’

‘Too much of the falling-down water?’

‘No, actually. Not a drop. I just feel a bit off, today.’

‘Pull over if you like,’ Chris said. ‘I can drive us back.’