She sat, silent for a moment. ‘I don’t know.’ She turned to Chris. ‘Something about Luke Gasparini’s manner. As though being obstructive with us was more important than supporting his wife.’ She shrugged. ‘Probably a waste of time. But we do need to check none of them match with the DNA on that cartridge.’

‘You don’t really think it was any of them, do you?’

‘Not really. But those three men all had the opportunity.’ She started the engine and pulled on her seat belt. ‘And don’t forget, Chris, the most likely explanation is often the right one.’

Chapter 27

‘We’ll have to let Zac Buchanan go,’ Clare said.

Tony frowned. ‘Pity. He was looking like a good fit for it.’

‘I know. He could still be our killer. Might have worn gloves when he handled the gun and the ammo. But even if he did kill Russell, and it looks like we’d struggle to prove it, I reckon he’s been paid to do it. And by someone with enough money to get their hands on a Dragunov.’

‘And you have onward addresses for the Lodge party?’

‘Yeah. The three men are heading back to Glasgow. Gaby and Luke, too. Then they’re catching the London sleeper tonight.’

‘Okay. Keep me posted.’

Out in the main office Zoe was tapping away at her computer.

‘You okay?’ Clare said.

‘Yeah, fine.’ She looked towards Clare’s office door. ‘Did he eat the cake?’

‘He said it was delicious. Frankly, it’s far more than he deserves.’

‘Oh I don’t know,’ Zoe said, then she turned back to her computer.

Chris was in the kitchen retrieving a tub of salad from the fridge.

‘Pass me that duck wrap,’ Clare said, pointing to the sandwich she’d bought on her way in to work. She saw Chris look at it with something approaching longing. ‘Sara got you on a diet again?’

He shook his head. ‘Ever since she found the Wagon Wheels.’

Clare laughed. ‘You need to get better at hiding them.’

‘I could put them in your filing cabinet.’

‘Oh no! You are not bringing me into this. I’ve enough problems of my own.’ She pulled a paper towel from the dispenser. ‘Fancy taking these into the incident room?’ she said. ‘Find a quiet corner?’

Over lunch – Clare took pity on Chris and gave him half the wrap – they discussed the case.

‘So, if it wasn’t Zac…’ Chris began.

‘We don’t know it wasn’t. He was in the area, remember. All night.’

‘True.’

‘And that gun could have been left in the house for him.’

Chris frowned. ‘He doesn’t really fit the picture, though, does he? He’s never shot and killed anyone.’

‘As far as we know.’

‘Suppose. He could be a cracking shot, but he’s no history with guns.’

‘Again, as far as we know.’