‘I said you can’t come in here. This is my husband’s office, his private office!’

There was a ferocity to Daisy that Judith found frightening. She was like a she-wolf defending her young cubs from danger.

‘We’ve worked so hard to be happy,’ Daisy hissed. ‘Together. Elliot and me. And I’m not having anything get in our way. Or anyone. Now get out. Get out!’

Judith realised she’d better do as she was told or she was at risk of being physically assaulted.

As she left the auction house, Judith tried to process what had happened. Why had Daisy overreacted like that? Was she just protecting her husband? Or was there more to it than that?

It was an interesting question, but Judith couldn’t give it her full attention. This was because, while she’d been in Elliot’s study, she’d made what she knew was a major breakthrough. In the row of photos on the wall, there’d been a gap that hadn’t been there before.

Since her last visit, Elliot had removed one of the rowing photos from the wall.

Judith was now convinced. Rowing was the link they’d been looking for all this time. It had to be. And if that were the case, then Judith knew she had no choice. Her hand went to the key on the chain around her neck.

It was time.

‘You wanted to see us?’ Becks said as Judith showed her and Suzie into her house and explained about her trip to Elliot Howard’s study and her encounter with his wife, Daisy.

‘She went for you?’ Suzie asked.

‘I couldn’t understand it. The first time we met she was so lovely. But this time she was like a wounded animal.’

‘I wonder what’s changed?’ Becks asked.

‘She’s worked out her husband’s a killer,’ Suzie said simply. ‘That’s what’s changed.’

‘Yes, that could well be it,’ Judith agreed.

‘So why do you think Elliot’s taken down a rowing photo?’ Becks asked.

‘Well, I can tell you I’ve researched everything to do with rowing online,’ Judith said. ‘And I’ve found nothing.’

‘So it’s not connected?’ Becks asked, confused.

‘No, I still think it’s connected. But Elliot was a schoolboy rower, and that was back in the 1980s, long before we had the internet. So I suggest we see if we can find out for ourselves what the link was.’

As she spoke, Judith took the chain off from around her neck and held up the key on the end of it.

Suzie’s eyes widened, although Becks didn’t yet realise the significance of what was about to happen.

Judith smiled for Suzie’s benefit as she headed to the door that stood to the side of the drinks cabinet.