‘Maybe a month ago?’ Tara said. ‘The thing is, Simon was jealous of Nick. You can’t blame him, I suppose. Nick was so successful at everything he did, whereas poor Simon’s never really achieved anything. Hang on, are you saying you think Simon had something to do with what happened to Nick?’

‘I’m certainly not saying that, Tara.’

‘But it makes sense, doesn’t it? Nick was everything Simon wanted to be. I’m right, aren’t I? They had one of their stupid arguments about money and Simon flipped. He’s got a temper, you know. It wouldn’t take much for him to lose it.’

Rachel ended the conversation soon after that, thanking Tara for her time and promising she’d be in touch soon.

‘I heard most of that conversation,’ Ade said. ‘Sounds as if she was in serious denial about her boyfriend’s finances.’

‘Maybe Bella can shed more light on things.’ Rachel nodded at the sign for the business park. ‘Looks like we’re here.’

Unlike the other properties on the business park, Max-Roysten Pharmaceuticals had its own gated entrance.

‘Fancy-looking premises,’ Ade said, driving through the open gates and parking the car near the building’s entrance.

‘Max-Roysten is a fancy organisation,’ Rachel said. ‘They’re one of the UK’s leading researchers into cures and treatments for insomnia. I read about them on my phone on the drive over.’

‘If Bella works in a place like this, wouldn’t she be bringing in a big salary?’ Ade said.

‘Depends what job she does,’ Rachel said. ‘She told us she was a computer technician. That’s a frontline support job. I don’t think they make much money, even working for big pharma companies like this one.’

Rachel opened the door and motioned for Ade to go first. They were greeted inside by a gated barrier and a security guard who insisted on checking their IDs before allowing them to pass through the barrier to the entrance lobby. A woman with cropped silver hair, wearing an immaculate silk blouse, was sitting behind a curved, dark wood reception desk. She beamed at Ade and Rachel as they walked towards her.

‘Good morning, ladies. How can I help you?’

‘We’re looking for Bella Gilbert.’ Rachel took out her ID and laid it on the desk. ‘She works in your IT department?’

‘Is this about her brother-in-law?’ The woman’s eyes widened. ‘I’ve been following the story on the news. Me and my hubby used to love his TV show. Such a shame there’s not going to be any more programmes.’

‘Would you mind calling Mrs Gilbert and telling her we’d like a word?’ Rachel said.

‘Of course.’ The woman blushed. ‘Take a seat. I’ll call her right away.’

She lifted the phone, but Rachel didn’t move.

‘It’s Theresa from reception,’ the woman said, glancing up at Rachel. ‘Two policewomen are here to see you.’