‘What about Iqbal Kassam?’ Suzie asked.

Liz took a moment before answering the question.

‘Who?’

‘Iqbal Kassam. The taxi driver who was murdered the other day.’

‘Yes, I read about that in the papers. It’s horrible. But why are you asking me?’

‘We want to know if you know him.’

Liz’s eyes widened in surprise as she guessed why Suzie had asked the question.

‘What on earth are you suggesting?’

‘We’re not suggesting anything, we’re just asking if you know him.’

‘Of course I don’t. Why would I take a taxi when I’ve got a perfectly good car of my own? I have to say that I resent you coming in here and making insinuations.’

‘I’m sorry?’ Suzie said.

‘I don’t know why you’re asking me all these questions about those dead men.’

‘I think you know well enough.’

‘I don’t.’

‘Then let me say one word to you. Crumble.’

Liz looked like she’d been slapped in the face.

‘Because we both know what you did to that poor dog,’ Suzie added.

‘I didn’t do anything to him.’

‘You killed him.’

‘You can’t say that!’ Liz yelped, tears forming in her eyes as a combination of fear, guilt and confusion seemed to overwhelm her all at once.

‘You killed him because you never wanted him. Because he was too expensive!’

‘You’ve got to believe me, you’re right I never wanted him when Dad died. I knew a dog wouldn’t fit with our lives. And he was expensive, it’s true. But that’s because we’ve got no money. I loved Crumble. Surely you know that? I was distraught when he went missing. We made posters, stuck them to lampposts, it was about the worst time of my life. How on earth can you say I killed him? I’m sorry, you’re not doing this to me. Not today. Not now.’

Before Judith or Suzie could say anything more, Liz turned and scurried out of the Portakabin.

‘Guilty as charged,’ Suzie said to her friend.

‘You know what,’ Judith said, ‘I think I agree with you.’

The two women emerged into the sunshine just in time to see Liz getting into a battered vehicle. It was the same maroon-coloured car that Judith had seen Liz driving when they’d met in the field, once again confirming that it had indeed been Liz she’d encountered. They watched as she drove out onto the main road, and, with a squeal of wheels and a loud bang as her exhaust backfired, the car turned right and disappeared in the direction of Marlow town.

‘Now that’s what I call an exit,’ Suzie said.

‘Where do you think she’s going?’

‘She’s in a hurry, wherever it is.’

‘And why would she deny meeting me? That’s the car I saw her driving.’

‘Because she’s the killer.’