Chris raised an eyebrow. ‘Bit early for a boys’ night.’

The men looked at each other then Eamon said, ‘He liked to get up early in the mornings, Russell – said he wanted to see the sun come up.’

Clare gave a nod. ‘That’s fine then. Thanks for your time, gents.’

They walked away round the side of the hotel towards the car park. ‘Let’s get that pizza delivery checked,’ Clare said, her voice low. ‘And I want the background on those three.’

‘Already in hand,’ Chris said. ‘You reckon there’s anything there?’

‘I’m sure of it, Chris. They were far too cagey.’

‘Could just be the shock.’

‘Yes, it could. But I doubt it. They’re hiding something and I’d very much like to know what it is.’

As they crossed the car park Clare remembered the security cameras at the Lodge. ‘What about the footage?’

‘Eh?’

‘From the cameras, dummy. The ones at the Lodge gates.’

‘Ah right. Sara’s back at the station, going through it now. She’ll call if there’s anything.’

‘I bet she was thrilled to be given that job,’ Clare said. ‘Good thinking, though.’ PC Sara Stapleton, the youngest officer in the station, now engaged to Chris, had a keen pair of eyes. If there was something amiss on the footage, she’d find it. They reached the car and Clare stopped, her hand on the door. ‘So, CCTV and a fence. I’m guessing they also had someone on site?’

‘Yeah, security guard.’

‘And?’

‘Not much help, to be honest. Says it was a quiet night and he finished at two in the morning. Wasn’t due back until midday on Saturday.’

Clare considered this. ‘I think I’d like to speak to him once we have the ballistics info back. The post-mortem might narrow down a time of death too.’

‘Fair enough. We have his details. Erm, I could murder a cup of tea.’

Clare looked back at the hotel for a moment. She really needed time to take in what had happened. What they had learned. The search of the Lodge grounds would be under way. Was there much more she could do just now? ‘Go on then. But you’d better have some biscuits.’

Chapter 6

‘Pizza van arrived just before seven,’ PC Sara Stapleton confirmed, indicating an image on her computer screen. She clicked the mouse. ‘And here it is leaving, five minutes later.’

‘Okay, thanks Sara,’ Clare said. ‘Chris, could you check with the pizza company please? Find out when they ordered, who phoned it in, anything else they can tell you.’ She turned back to Sara. ‘Is that it?’

‘So far,’ Sara said. ‘I’m only up to seven forty-five, though.’

Clare smiled. ‘Keep at it. Fancy a coffee?’

‘Please.’

Clare wandered through to the kitchen and flicked the switch on the kettle. As it came to the boil Chris appeared.