Steph wondered whether it was because of her connection to her mother, but if it was, Sonia didn’t let on. Steph wasn’t sure if maybe Sonia did know and this was the real reason why she had chosen her. Tentatively, she tested the water. ‘I’m sure the police have investigated this—’

Sonia cut her off. ‘They didn’t do their job properly. They didn’t want to upset the influential Sinclair family. The whole of the Cumbrian police force is crooked.’

Steph swallowed. She found it hard to believe that her mother could be crooked; it just wasn’t her style. Wendy had been dedicated to her job and had put it above all else, including her own family. However, Steph acknowledged the sweeping nature of Sonia’s comment and she may well have a point, no matter how paranoid it was making her sound. ‘That’s quite an accusation,’ she said, calmly.

Sonia gave a her a defiant yeah, I know look but didn’t pass further comment on the issue, instead changing tack. ‘There’s one more thing,’ she said. ‘The email Elizabeth sent me, the one telling me not to worry … I don’t believe it was from her. I think someone else sent that to stop me from worrying.’

A few taps on the screen and Sonia was pushing the phone back to Steph for her to read the email in question.

Hello Mum

Please don’t worry about me. Everything is fine. I was just feeling a bit fed up and had a little too much wine when I phoned you. Just ignore me. Will speak to you soon.

Love

Elizabeth

‘What’s the significance?’ asked Steph, rereading the message.

‘Because she signed her name Elizabeth. She never used her full name on emails or birthday cards to me. She always just put E.’

‘And you think someone sent this, pretending to be her?’

‘Yes. I think someone heard her on the phone to me, leaving me that voicemail. Whoever sent me that email is responsible for her death. They didn’t want the truth getting out.’

‘And you think that’s Harry Sinclair?’

‘Look, I’m not fooled by him. He comes across as the quiet one, the nice guy, the brother everyone loves, but you tell me, what other reason did he have to scoot off to France no sooner than Elizabeth was dead and set up some sort of design business over there?’ Sonia frowned and sighed. ‘Are you going to look into my daughter’s death or not?’