‘The Howard residence.’

‘Good morning,’ Tanika said into the machine. ‘My name’s Detective Sergeant Tanika Malik. May I come in?’

Chapter 29

Once Tanika was through the security gates, she passed a pair of gleaming BMWs. As she approached the front door, it was answered by Elliot’s wife, Daisy.

‘Good morning to you!’ the woman said. ‘My name’s Daisy Howard. How can I help you?’

Tanika introduced herself, but was surprised that a man like Elliot should be married to someone who was so instantly warm and welcoming.

‘Could I have a word with your husband?’ Tanika asked.

‘Of course. Come on in.’

Daisy led Tanika through a house that was effortlessly luxurious. There were thick cream carpets, cut flowers in modernist vases, and old oil paintings on the walls.

‘Can I get you a drink?’ Daisy asked as they entered the marble and chrome kitchen.

‘I’m fine, thank you.’

‘Are you sure? It’s such a hot day.’

‘If I could just have a word with your husband?’

‘Why do you want to see him?’

‘I’m afraid it’s a police matter,’ Tanika said as kindly as she could.

‘Then you’ll find him in the garden. Setting fire to things. Typical man.’

Daisy indicated the bifold doors that led from the kitchen onto a patio of old York flagstones. Stepping outside, the two women saw Elliot standing by a small bonfire at the bottom of the garden. They watched him in silence for a moment.

‘How did the two of you meet?’ Tanika asked.

‘At an art gallery in London. We both tried to buy the same painting.’ Daisy smiled at the memory. ‘And he was typically English. All pretend bluster. But I could see he was a kind man. Damaged. But kind.’

‘You think he’s damaged?’

‘He’s got an artist’s soul. He bruises easily. Whatever you’ve come to see him about today, it’s not his fault. Someone will have led him astray. He’s not as strong as he looks.’

‘You think he could be in trouble?’

‘The police never arrive to ask you the time of day.’

Tanika looked at Daisy, and although she was still smiling, there was a hint of steel there as well.

With a nod of thanks, Tanika entered the garden. As she got nearer to Elliot, she could see that Judith and her friends had been right. It looked like the fire was made up of wooden frames and colourful painted canvases.

Elliot turned as she approached. Tanika had seen his photo on the auction house website and spoken to him twice on the phone, but she’d not met him in the flesh before. He seemed more subdued than she was expecting. A little less commanding, perhaps.

‘Hello?’ he said.