He must have sounded convincing because Hilaria seemed reassured, and that in itself felt like a betrayal, when in reality he couldn’t remember ever feeling so helpless. ‘Are those albums from the museum?’ she asked, nodding to the pile he had put down on the desk.

‘Yes. I thought I’d ask Josephine and Marta to look through them to see if there’s anything interesting about Richard Hartley. Unless you’d rather do it?’

She shook her head. ‘No, by all means hand them over. Everybody’s getting more restless by the minute, so I’m sure they’d appreciate a mission.’

‘Is everyone still in Chevy Chase?’

‘Yes. I’ve cancelled lunch by mutual agreement, but we’ll have a cold table later. Until then, what would you like me to do with everyone?’

‘The important thing is for no one to be on their own, guest or staff member. None of you must take any risks. Lancaster is to stay under lock and key, and be vigilant about Mrs Hartley, too, just in case she’s in danger because 230of something she knows about her husband. I was hoping to speak to her before going over to the mainland, but that was before we found Mrs Soper and there isn’t time now. Will you make sure that there are plenty of staff around Marlene while I’m gone?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Thank you. I’ll go and speak to Josephine and Marta now.’

‘Archie?’ He turned back to her from the door. ‘Please be careful.’

In the dining room, the restlessness that Hilaria had mentioned was palpable, and he had to fend off several demands to know what was happening and what he intended to do about it before he could shepherd Josephine and Marta into the library for a private conversation. ‘You can’t seriously be considering that!’ Josephine said angrily, when he had brought them up to date and told them about the causeway crossing. ‘What the hell is the point of getting yourself killed?’

Penrose looked to Marta for solidarity, but she managed to make it perfectly clear that she agreed with Josephine without uttering a word. ‘Those men wouldn’t have agreed to accompany me if it was dangerous,’ he said tersely, knowing there was no time to argue reasonably. ‘Anyway, it’s your safety I’m here to talk about, not mine. Make sure you stay together while I’m gone, and look through these for me. If there’s something relating to Richard Hartley – or anything else of interest, for that matter – tell me when I get back.’

‘If you get back.’

‘When, and promise me you’ll do as I ask.’

Knowing she was beaten, Josephine agreed. ‘Can we take these to one of the bedrooms?’ Marta asked. ‘I know it’s 231a tasteless thing to admit, but I’m sick to death of all the nervous energy in that room.’

‘Yes, but lock the door. I’ll see you later.’

He went back to Chevy Chase to issue one final round of instructions, but was delayed by Marlene at the door. ‘Can I speak to you before you go?’ she asked. Penrose doubted that the star had ever been asked if what she was about to say was important, but she took it with good grace. ‘Yes, I think so.’ She glanced meaningfully at Barbara Penhaligon. ‘Could we go somewhere private?’