Angus strode back up to the big house, feeling more worried than ever about what Hobkins would try to do next. Today he’d acted arrogantly, as if sure he’d get what he wanted. Why would he think that?

Just before teatime Angus and Nell took a stroll round the grounds and he called in on Elise and Stacy to let them know he’d be sleeping in Number 1. That seemed the most appropriate place to station himself because anyone wanting to get to the houses either had to climb over the perimeter wall or walk past the first house, and though the wall wasn’t all that high, it was dangerously unsteady in parts.

He intended to place movement sensors outside the two houses at the far end and at the entrance to the street, to wake him if anyone passed by from either direction.

But was he doing enough? He felt sure he’d missed something.

After Hobkins had driven away from Saffron Lane he stopped and turned to the structural engineer. ‘You know what to say at tonight’s emergency council meeting?’

‘It won’t be believed. There is no sign of weakness.’

‘There will be by tomorrow. And I believe Bryce Dorling has been assured of your co-operation.’

‘Yes, damn him. Don’t set off yet. I prefer to get out and walk, rather than ride with one of his toadies.’

‘Pot calling the kettle black. Don’t forget to email me your report summary.’ Hobkins grinned as he added, ‘We don’t want those two women to live in dangerous buildings, do we? Their moving in gives me an excellent reason to call the meeting as an emergency.’

‘You’ve got the report already. Dammit, you’re the one who wrote it.’

‘But we need it to be seen to come from you, so please make sure you email it to me as soon as possible.’

Grantby walked away without another word.

Darren had been to check out the arts village a couple of times, watching people come and go, because he had a feeling this place would lead him to her. But there had been no sign of Stacy.

He got into conversation with one of the men working there, on the pretext that he was looking for somewhere to rent. ‘Will these houses be rentals or for sale?’

‘They’ll be for renting, but only to artists.’

‘Artists? What do you mean?’

‘It’s going to be an Arts and Crafts Village. I overheard the owners talking. They’re hoping it’ll become a tourist attraction. The first two tenants are moving in tomorrow. One’s a woman who does welding and makes ornaments out of scrap metal. Seems a funny thing for a woman to do. And who’d want a pile of scrap metal sitting on the mantelpiece?’

‘Not me.’ Darren hoped he’d hidden his elation. ‘What about the other artist who’s moving in at the same time? What does he do?’

‘It’s an old woman and she’s a painter, but I don’t know anything about her because the owners moved out of my hearing just then.’