Fen’s eyes sparkled like any glass of Veuve Cliquot. “Perhaps we’re both special. In fact, we’re both so special that we deserve someone equally special who appreciates us.” She took Pat’s hand. “You oughtn’t be sitting around being a companion to an old lady, or a housekeeper to your sister-in-law, or ever feeling unwanted, which is the stupidest thing of all because I want you. I know you can’t think about what next until this is all cleared up for your brother, but I’m sure it will be cleared up if we put our backs into it, and of course, I shan’t leave you until then. I don’t suppose I can stay at Rodington Court, under the circumstances, but I dare say the village has an inn, which will be a novelty. We’ll manage, is what I’m trying to say. Won’t we?”

Pat took a deep breath. “Yes. Thank you.”

“And after that, when Mr. Merton is quite safe, you’re going to come to King’s Norton and teach me to shoot and do absolutely nothing with me for weeks. Which includes sweet nothings.” She cocked her head as if wheedling, but her eyes brimmed with light. “You will, won’t you?”

“Of course I will.”

“Then that’s something to hold on to.” Fen squeezed her fingers. “Don’t worry too much. We’ve plenty of questions still to ask.”

“But goodness knows how long till the police arrive.”

“True,” Fen said regretfully. “I suppose we had to summon the police.”

“As opposed to what?”

“Oh, you know. Dropping the body into a marsh, or a mine-shaft.”

“Fen!”

“Well, it’s not as though anyone would care if he went away forever. We couldn’t really do that, I know,” she added at Pat’s look. “I was just thinking it was a pity. It’s surely a good sign that Jimmy sent for the police, isn’t it?”

“It would look awfully strange if he didn’t.”

“I suppose.” Fen sagged slightly. “I don’t want him to have done it either, you know. I hate thinking he was driven to it. This whole thing is so poisonous, isn’t it? Haworth ruined everything he touched, like an opposite Midas, making everything foul and slimy instead of gold. I do wish we knew who he was blackmailing.”

“Jimmy, surely.”

Fen frowned. “Yes, but he was bleeding the Wittons dry via Lord Witton anyway. I’m sure he’d have enjoyed having Jimmy under his thumb for his personal satisfaction, but was there any more money to be had?”

“I see what you mean. That’s a very good point.” Pat made herself say it: “Bill is the other obvious candidate.”

“But don’t you think you’d have recognised his voice, even if you couldn’t hear the words? One does, doesn’t one, with a family member?”