‘That’s even further inland than you, and it’s a good bit higher. That’s how her husband was able to put in the pit and that store without it flooding every time it rained. Her place should be fine.’

‘I think maybe I’ll let her know. She’ll have seen the warnings, and at least I can put her mind at rest a bit, and tell her that Sophie is safe.’

‘Well, don’t tell her too much just yet, but if you are going to speak to her, ask her about that underground workshop. Find out who knew about it, if you can.’

Ten minutes later, Will, Sam and Matt sat at the kitchen table eating sandwiches that Sam had made for them.

‘She says that other than a few of her husband’s old friends, no one knew about that room. She really didn’t think too much about it, and certainly not that it might be a reason for someone to want the house.’

‘Well, I do. I think it’s someone’s main reason for wanting it. In fact, I—’ Matt was interrupted by the phone ringing.

Will went to answer. He sat back down without a word. His half-eaten sandwich seemed to fascinate him.

‘William?’ Sam’s voice drifted in as if through a mist.

After a while, Will spoke, his eyes still on his plate. ‘That was Mrs Swain. She thought it was probably nothing, but she remembered one other person who had seen the workroom.’

Matt and Sam glanced at each other.

‘It was Kate.’

Sam shrugged. ‘And what is the problem with that? You’re neighbours. Kate did spend quite a bit of time with the old dear at one point, didn’t she?’

‘Try to think like a suspicious copper, Sam. We have dealt with devious minds all our working lives. Yes Kate chatted to Emilia, she also spent a lot of time talking to Gerald Grove,’ added Matt grimly.

Sam groaned. ‘Oh, of course! Why didn’t we see it before? It’s so damn obvious!’

Will looked up. ‘It’s a fact that since we first came here, Grove has been ingratiating himself with Kate — confiding in her. He knew I was an ex-copper, so he turned what could have been a problem for him to his advantage. He saw how kind and gentle she is, and got in quick, telling her about his “troubles,” how he’d been harassed, the “unjust” allegations against him. He helped her when she had a panic attack . . . oh, the crafty bastard!’

‘And I’m betting he spent a lot of time listening to her as well,’ Matt added. ‘He’s a naturalist, and a good one, he knows all about this fen and the countryside hereabouts. He knew that one day the weather would claim his hidey hole at the mill, and his cottage too, if some really hard weather hit—’