Gaby shook her head. ‘No, it wouldn’t be that. Sacha’s in France just now. A school trip. They left the day after the wedding. Not back till next week.’

The door opened and a nurse came in. ‘Just a few more minutes,’ she said, ‘if you don’t mind.’

Clare didn’t reply and Chris nudged her. ‘Oh, sorry,’ she said. Then she smiled at Gaby. ‘I think we’re done here.’ She rose from the chair. ‘We’ll be in touch, Gaby. Try to get some rest in the meantime.’

Chapter 42

‘Something on your mind?’ Chris said, as they waited for the lift. An elderly man in a dressing gown shuffled up to wait with them, cigarettes in hand. Going out for a smoke, Clare thought.

‘Once we’re back in the car,’ she said, her voice low.

They emerged from the lift and made their way through the corridors towards the main concourse.

‘Rumour is,’ Chris said, ‘when this hospital was built, one of the doctors drove an MG car down the corridors.’

‘I don’t believe a word of it.’

‘Absolutely true.’

‘So you say.’

They were back at the car now. Clare pulled on her seat belt and looked at Chris who was making no effort to start the car. ‘Erm, in your own time, Sergeant.’

‘Not until you tell me what’s going through your mind.’

‘Money, Chris. Russell Fox’s money.’

‘What about it?’

Clare fished in her pocket for a tissue and blew her nose. Then she said, ‘Luke Gasparini is lying. Agreed?’

‘I reckon so. David and Gaby’s statements corroborate each other. Admittedly, if Luke is telling the truth, then their stories would match. But that bit about the two of them hatching a plot to carry out a mercy killing on their brother – Luke fleeing for his life. I don’t buy it.’

‘Okay,’ Clare said. ‘Then there’s Gaby. She denies taking an overdose.’

‘That could be embarrassment,’ Chris said. ‘It’s not uncommon in people who survive overdoses. Maybe she’s worried about the publicity – if it gets out. Might harm her career.’

Clare considered this. ‘Yeah, that’s possible. But she claims Luke made her the pot of coffee and topped up her cup while she was resting in the bedroom. There was no sign of a coffee pot when we got there. Or a cup. There was a glass and the pill box but no cup.’

Chris nodded slowly. ‘So he washed it up?’

‘Yep. I reckon he drugged Gaby.’

‘Motive?’

‘That’s what we have to work out,’ Clare said. ‘But the more I think about it, the more I think Luke’s trying to frame David for the murder.’

Chris started the engine and pulled on his seat belt. ‘I’m not so sure. Remember we took everyone in the house party’s DNA.’

‘Except David Fox.’