‘So they had their argument, and I bet it was about this picture. Then, a week later, there’s a break-in at Stefan’s house. But Stefan reported that nothing had been stolen. Which is interesting, don’t you think? Because I think that was Elliot’s first attempt to get hold of the picture frame. And it didn’t work out for him on that occasion. But Stefan eventually worked out that Elliot had been behind the break-in. So he organised a meeting with Elliot at his gallery. Which is why it was such an angry encounter. And why, afterwards, Stefan told his assistant Antonia that he could “go to the police right now”, and “desperation drives people to do stupid things”.’

‘You remember all that?’ Becks asked.

‘But it clearly suggests Stefan knew that Elliot was desperate. Desperate to argue with him at Henley. Desperate to break in a week later. But what Stefan didn’t know was just how desperate Elliot was. Because Elliot decides to try one more time.’

‘He must have really wanted the frame to this picture,’ Becks said.

‘It would seem he wanted it so much he was prepared to kill for it. But this time, God knows how, Stefan once again discovers what Elliot is up to. Or maybe Elliot always planned to kill Stefan. I don’t see how we’ll know for sure. But either way, Stefan was down by the little dam at the end of his millpond. Although that doesn’t make sense, does it?’

‘Why not?’ Tanika asked.

‘Well, what was Elliot doing down at that end of the garden? And why did Stefan agree to join him there? It seems odd when you think about it. Anyway, for whatever reason, Elliot and Stefan were down at that end of the garden when Elliot shot Stefan dead. He’s finally free to steal the frame, but the absolute last thing he expects happens. He hears a woman’s voice call out.’

‘Really?’ Becks asked, eyes wide, lost in the story.

‘That’s right. From the river.’

Becks was hanging on Judith’s every word.

‘And who was that?’

‘It was me!’

It took a moment for the penny to drop.

‘Of course it was you! You were out swimming! Sorry. I’m so thick sometimes.’

‘You’re not thick,’ Judith said to Becks before getting back to her story. ‘And I bet Elliot panicked when I called out. With a witness possibly about to haul herself out of the water to see what was going on, he no doubt shelved his plans to break into Stefan’s house. For a second time. And instead he legged it. After all, you don’t want to be found breaking into someone’s house while the dead body of the man you just killed is in the garden, do you?