Clare considered this. ‘It’s possible. It wouldn’t be quick, though. There’s all the legal stuff. Then the restaurants will have to be sold. It’ll take time.’

‘So Doug Gerrard doesn’t benefit by Russell’s death.’

‘Nope. Quite the opposite.’

They sat silent for a few moments. Then Chris said, ‘What was the other investment?’

Clare smiled. ‘A media company.’

‘Not Luke.’

‘The very same. His production company. So he’s also affected by Russell’s death, although, again, Gaby could still agree to finance it.’

Chris rubbed his chin. ‘I’m struggling to see why anyone would kill Russell Fox. Luke and Doug both lose out by his death. And, as for Luke’s story about Gaby and David planning to shoot Russell to spare his suffering – it’s a bit far-fetched.’

Clare nodded. ‘Mind you, the unknown factor in all this is…’

‘David Fox,’ Chris finished.

‘Absolutely. He had the opportunity and, while we can only guess at his motive, if he really is still alive, I’d say pretending to be dead for seventeen years is pretty bloody weird.’

‘You still fancy him for shooting Russell, then?’ Chris said.

‘You got a better idea?’

‘Nope. Let’s just hope Gaby recovers.’

Clare’s phone began to ring. ‘Janey,’ she said. ‘Hiya. What’s happening?’

‘She’s being assessed now,’ Janey said. ‘Still alive. Medics plan to get some activated charcoal into her ASAP.’

‘Okay, thanks, Janey. Stay with her and keep me posted. I want to know if she recovers consciousness.’ Clare ended the call and turned back to Chris.

‘Charcoal?’ he said.

‘Yeah. Apparently it neutralises the effect of the sleeping pills. That’s if they can get it into her fast enough.’

‘Every day’s a school day,’ Chris said.

Clare’s phone began to ring again. She glanced at the display. Sara.

‘Boss… you’d better get back here.’

Chapter 40

Sara was at the front desk when they entered the station.

‘Where is he?’

‘Interview room one.’

‘Has he said anything?’

Sara shook her head. ‘Only that he wants to speak to the officer in charge of the Fox case.’ She glanced towards the interview rooms. ‘I’ve requested a solicitor – just in case.’

‘Good work, Sara. Thanks.’

The PC smiled. ‘I’ll get you another Lemsip. You’re looking pretty white. And the solicitor won’t be here for another ten minutes.’

Quarter of an hour later they sat down in front of the man who for the last seventeen years had apparently been dead.

David Fox.

Clare had to hand it to Zac, his description to the photofit officer had been pretty spot on.

‘Where’s my sister?’ was his opening remark.

Clare didn’t answer this directly. Instead, she went through the formalities of setting up the tape. She decided, in view of Luke Gasparini’s statement, that she would caution him. He seemed frustrated by this and asked again for Gaby.