‘You’ll do what you have to do, Sergeant. Personally, I can tell you right now that I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, or anyone who shouldn’t have been there.’ Mrs Forbes smiled. ‘Apart from the antis, of course. But I don’t need to tell you that, surely? Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .’

The woman walked away towards the stables, and could be heard speaking to the girls. Fry turned her attention to Alicia.

‘You’re a member of the hunt, too?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you were out on Tuesday, I gather?’

‘Of course. We all want to show our support. But we didn’t see anything, really we didn’t.’

As the daughter spoke, she moved a hand to stroke the inside of her horse’s leg, where the skin looked smooth and soft. Fry found the gesture somehow disturbing.

‘I’ve no idea who that man was who died, and I’m sure Mummy hasn’t either,’ said Alicia. ‘We were just trying to get on with our own business, and avoid the antis. You’d be better talking to them, wouldn’t you?’

‘We have talked to them,’ said Fry. ‘But, you see, they weren’t on horseback.’

Alicia looked away. ‘I can’t help you.’

The horse swung around restlessly, pointing its haunches at Fry. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Cooper moving away towards Alicia Forbes. But she was feeling more confident now, and she stood her ground, even when the rear end bumped gently against her.

‘Do you happen to know the bridlepath called Badger’s Way, Miss Forbes?’ Cooper was asking.

‘Yes, I’ve ridden there a few times. But everyone uses it – it’s good to be able to get away from traffic for a while.’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘There have been several incidents of reckless driving near horse riders in this area. Perhaps you know.’

‘Any motorists identified are being warned,’ said Cooper. ‘They could face prosecution for driving without due care and attention.’

Fry watched, feeling suddenly like a spare part, as Alicia Forbes looked Cooper up and down. She’d experienced this moment so often.

‘Do you have any animals yourself?’ she asked him.

‘Just a cat,’ he admitted, patting the horse’s neck.

‘Oh.’ Then she looked at his hand. ‘And you’re not wearing a wedding ring.’

‘No.’

‘I just wondered – I know not all men wear them, even when they’re married.’

‘So I’ve heard.’

‘So . . . are you? Married?’

‘No.’

‘You must be, what . . . thirty by now? Isn’t it time to settle down?’

‘Well, it’s not quite so simple.’

‘Mmm. I suppose not. Still – a single man, living alone with a cat. It could give the wrong impression.’

Just then, a powerful odour filled the yard. Not just the pervasive background smell, but something much more pungent and immediate.

‘Diane, watch out,’ said Cooper.