She began by extending her sympathies to the men, watching them carefully. ‘I gather you were Russell’s oldest friends?’

‘Primary school,’ Eamon said.

‘And you’ve kept in touch since?’

Doug Gerrard nodded. ‘Off and on,’ he said. ‘When we could, ye know?’

‘It’s nice you were all able to make this weekend,’ Clare said, keeping the conversation light.

‘Wouldn’t have missed it,’ Steve Christie said, flicking a glance at Clare.

‘Whose idea was it?’

‘Gaby’s,’ Eamon said. ‘Surprise for Russell.’ He nodded at the other two. ‘We all knew, months back, but she only told Russell a couple of days before. And he didn’t know we were coming too.’

Chris cleared his throat and the men turned to look at him. ‘Was there no suggestion of wives or girlfriends joining the party?’

The men looked at each other. Eamon, as usual, was the first to find his voice. ‘Not this time,’ he said.

Clare thought he was choosing his words carefully. ‘Any particular reason?’

Only Eamon met Clare’s eye. ‘Russell – he didn’t really seem to have anyone special just now. And we thought it might be a laugh, just the lads.’

Clare nodded. ‘So you arrived at the Lodge on Thursday?’

‘Aye.’ Eamon again.

‘And I gather Gaby and Mr Gasparini left on Friday to go to a wedding. So you spent Friday night alone?’

Doug Gerrard regarded Clare. ‘Aye.’

‘Gaby said you had a surprise organised for Russell.’ She watched them as she said this. Steve Christie took another swig from his bottle and the other two shrugged. ‘Something special?’

Doug laughed. ‘Nah. I was just winding Gaby up. We ordered pizza, plenty of drinks, bit of poker. Boys’ night, ye know?’ He looked round at the others. ‘It was a laugh, wasn’t it, lads?’

There were murmurs of Aye… Oh aye… and more head-nodding.

Clare smiled. ‘Can’t beat a good pizza. Was it one in the town?’

The men looked at Doug. He took out his phone and began scrolling. ‘Bella Pizza,’ he said. ‘Market Street.’

Clare noted this down. ‘What time did it arrive?’

Doug shrugged. ‘Anyone remember?’

‘About seven,’ Eamon said. ‘Or just before.’

‘And there were no other callers that night?’

Heads shook. Clare watched them carefully. She couldn’t decide if they were hiding something. Drugs, maybe. They wouldn’t want to admit to anything like that. She’d have to organise background checks on them. There was something here that didn’t add up. ‘Okay, thanks gents.’ She smiled round then said, ‘I’d be grateful if you could remain here in the hotel until tomorrow, at least. In case we need anything clarified.’

The men nodded and Clare rose, scraping back her chair. She saw Steve Christie’s shoulders sag as he seemed to relax. ‘Just one more thing.’

Eamon smiled again. ‘Yes?’

‘When did you last see Russell?’

‘Friday night,’ Doug said. ‘He went off to bed just before midnight.’