“Anna.” Arthur sounded really angry this time.

“It’s OK,” Lizzie said again. She met Anna’s angry blue gaze very directly. “You’re right,” she said. “I was selfish. I didn’t care about Amelia’s feelings and I’m very sorry about that. I said as much to Johnny last night. But I know nothing about Amelia’s death, Dudley and I have never been romantically involved, and I certainly wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt Johnny. I only want to help him.”

“I don’t see why.” Anna was relishing the argument as a release of pent-up energy.

“Because,” Lizzie snapped, “Johnny is struggling to deal with depression and I’ve some insight into how that feels. It’s a horrible, horrible thing and Johnny is beyond brave, and if you think I would hurt him in any way then you’re the one who’s lost it.”

For a moment Anna looked nonplussed then she shrugged. “Whatever,” she said ungraciously. She nodded to Arthur. “I’ll call you if I hear anything.” She marched off down the hall and the door slammed behind her. The air seemed to quiver before settling into quiet again.

“Well,” Arthur said into the silence, “that was interesting.”

Lizzie took a deep breath to try and regain her self-control. “I shouldn’t have snapped at her,” she said wearily. “I’m sorry.”

“She asked for it,” Arthur said. “Anna always pushes to get a reaction. Sometimes she goes way too far.” He shifted a little. “I’m sorry for all the stuff she said. She’s upset and worried—we all are—but it’s no excuse.”

“I understand,” Lizzie said. She folded her arms and rubbed them although she wasn’t cold. “I know it’s hard to believe I might want to help Johnny,” she said, “but I do.” She spread her hands in appeal. “I helped you the other night, didn’t I?”

Arthur drove his hands into his pockets. “Yes, you did,” he said slowly, “but I still don’t really know if I can trust you. Hell, Lizzie—” he ran a hand through his hair “—no matter what I feel, I don’t know you. It’s entirely possible that you and Dudley might be in cahoots and have cooked up this whole business between you to get rid of Amelia and now to silence Johnny.”

“That’s exactly what the police were getting at when they interviewed me last night,” Lizzie agreed pleasantly. She took a deep breath. “Everyone’s watched too many box sets, I think. But let’s indulge your theory for a moment.” She caught the glint of amusement in Arthur’s eyes and carried on doggedly: “Leaving aside the fact that I’m not a psychopath, I’ve also no motive to kill Amelia. It’s not as though we’re in the Middle Ages, is it? Dudley and Amelia were getting divorced. If he and I had wanted to get together—which we don’t—there wasn’t anything stopping us.”

“Bumping off Amelia would save Dudley having to pay alimony,” Arthur said, “but actually it’s more likely that Dudley’s motive would be financial gain in a different way. Dudley’s lost—or rather, he’s spent—almost all he ever earned. He’s close to bankruptcy. Whereas Amelia was a very rich woman. Perhaps you didn’t know, but our father left her a fortune. She inherited just about everything from him.”