‘I think he’s involved in a murder.’

Becks shot up from her chair.

‘What?’

‘In fact, I think there’s a chance he killed my neighbour last night.’

Judith could see Becks’ mind spinning, speech very much beyond her.

‘I know,’ Judith agreed. ‘It’s quite the statement.’

‘He’s a murderer?’

‘Would that surprise you?’

‘Of course, we’re talking about Elliot Howard here.’

‘You know him well?’

‘Not really. Now you mention it. He’s one of those men who prefer the company of the men in the choir, I think. Sorry, what murder? There’s been a murder?’

Judith explained the chain of events that had led her to the church, and Becks hung on her every word.

‘You think Elliot killed Mr Dunwoody and you went and talked to him?’ she asked when Judith had finished her tale.

‘Someone has to. The police are being useless. They think Stefan’s death was an accident or suicide.’

‘Well, I can tell you that Elliot was here last night between seven and nine.’

‘And you’re sure he didn’t slip off at all?’

‘Oh yes. Quite sure.’

‘Not even for a few minutes?’

‘There’s always a short break at about eight o’clock, as the trebles leave, and people go for a loo break. So it’s possible Elliot left then.’

‘You think maybe he left the rehearsal at eight and didn’t come back for the second half?’

‘I’m not sure. I don’t know. Although, now you mention it, I remember seeing Elliot arrive for seven, but I’m not sure I noticed him after that. It’s possible he left during the loo break at eight and didn’t come back. It’s like I said, he and I don’t really talk.’

Judith was thrilled. If Elliot left the rehearsal at eight, he’d maybe have had time to get in a car and drive over to Stefan’s house to shoot him dead at ten past eight. It would have been tight, but just about possible, she thought.

‘I don’t suppose the church has any security cameras, does it? Any kind of video recording that might show the choir rehearsal last night. Or people coming or going.’

‘As it happens, we do. There’s a little camera in the gallery. In case of break-ins or any other sort of anti-social behaviour.’

‘Do you think we could look at the footage from last night?’

Judith could see that the idea shocked Becks.

‘I’m not sure about that. I don’t think I should be showing you anything on Colin’s computer.’

Judith considered Becks for a moment, and then she reached into her handbag and pulled out her tin of travel sweets. She popped the lid in a puff of icing sugar and held the tin up for Becks.

‘Travel sweet?’ Judith asked.