Clare sensed Chris sit forward but she avoided his eye. ‘We’re still carrying out some forensic tests at the Lodge and it’s quite likely these tests will include taking swabs from any doors or windows the gunman might have touched. Obviously if any of our swabs match with your DNA we’ll know to disregard them.’ Clare’s tone was light but she watched the pair carefully. She saw Luke weighing this. He looked about to speak then Gaby cut in.

‘So we’re not under suspicion?’ she said.

Clare smiled. ‘No. And it would be entirely voluntary.’

‘In that case,’ Luke said. ‘I don’t agree. You can’t force us.’

Gaby glanced at him then back at Clare. ‘And what would happen to our DNA records – once you’ve found the culprit, I mean?’

‘They’d be destroyed. We’re required by law to do so.’

‘So you say,’ Luke snapped.

Clare ignored this, her eyes on Gaby. ‘It really would help us,’ she said.

Gaby met Clare’s eye. ‘All right, then. I consent.’ She took hold of her husband’s hand. ‘Why not? If it helps find who did this to Russell.’

He sighed heavily. ‘Oh, go on then. But don’t forget we’re catching the sleeper to London tonight.’

Nita arrived half an hour later with the DNA kits and they made their way to Gaby and Luke’s room where the five of them were waiting.

A short while later the samples were taken and Clare said her goodbyes. ‘We’ll be in touch as soon as we have any news.’

Gaby smiled. ‘Russell was very dear to me,’ she said. ‘Please, find whoever did this.’

‘I’ll run these to the lab now,’ Nita said as they walked towards the car park.

‘Actually,’ Clare stopped for a moment, thinking. ‘I should have taken the security guard’s DNA as well – Mark Mooney.’

‘Want me to head over there now?’

‘Give him a call, first,’ Clare said. ‘Make sure he’s there but don’t tell him why you want to see him.’

They waited while Nita made the call.

‘No answer,’ she said. ‘I’ll try his mobile.’ She stood for a minute, the phone clamped to her ear, then she shook her head. ‘Straight to voicemail.’

‘Okay,’ Clare said. ‘Keep trying. Meantime, if you could get these over to the lab.’

They waited until Nita had left then climbed into the car. They sat for a moment, watching Doug Gerrard and Steve Christie load their bags into the Range Rover.

‘So, riddle me this, Inspector,’ Chris said.

‘Yeah?’

‘What made you decide to take their DNA?’