‘I will, Ma’am. And by the way, if it helps, Issy is still convinced that Millar is not a murderer.’

‘Good. You know how much store I put on her opinion. How is she, by the way?’ Jazz asked lightly.

‘Oh . . .’ Miles nodded. ‘Fine. Yup. Just fine.’

‘Mmm . . . For someone who hates the country, she seems to have settled in here quite well.’

Miles shifted uncomfortably, then changed the subject. ‘Oh, by the way, Ma’am, Roland asked me to ask you whether there was any chance of you coming up to the school and making a statement? The place is beginning to swarm with journalists. They won’t go away until we’ve given them something. And Jones is keen to get rid of them yesterday.’

‘Tell them I’ll hold a press conference at six p.m. tonight. Ask Jones to make the hall available so they can set up their gear. He’ll have to hold on until then.’

‘Will you tell them we’ve arrested and charged David Millar?’ Miles asked.

Jazz sighed. ‘No. I’ll tell them he’s helping us with our enquiries. We have twenty-four hours, that’s all, before you’re shipped back to London and I return to my quiet life in the country.’

‘You can do it, Ma’am.’ Miles smiled.

‘Thanks. And this isn’t about anything other than making sure the right man goes down for the crime. Okay?’ Jazz stood up and eyed him.

‘I know,’ he nodded. ‘Truthfully, I wasn’t thinking anything else.’

‘Good. I’m off. Let’s hope Issy has worked her magic with Rory. See you later.’

‘Good at magic is Issy,’ Miles murmured under his breath as he watched Jazz leave the room.

‘Just don’t get hurt, will you?’ Jazz murmured in reply, and shut the door behind her.

Chapter Thirty

Angelina looked tiny and fragile when she opened the door. As if the events of the past few days had physically diminished her.

‘Hello, Angelina. How are you today?’ Jazz asked as she followed her into the kitchen.

‘How do you think?’ Angelina slumped into a chair.

Jazz sat too. ‘Is there anything I can do?’

Angelina shook her head, then looked up at her sadly. ‘Bring Julian back to life?’ She gave a feeble smile. ‘That would do.’

Jazz reached for her small, cold hand. ‘I’m so very sorry. I promise, we’re doing our best to find out who did this to Julian and why. And I should warn you, the press have arrived at the school. They’ve got wind of something, as they always do. I’ve not yet made a statement naming Julian, but when I do later today, you might want to consider going to stay elsewhere. I’m afraid they’re bound to doorstep you, and that’s the last thing you and Rory need just now.’

Angelina nodded. She was hardly listening.

‘And unfortunately, the other thing I need isn’t pleasant: I’m going to have to ask you to come and formally identify Julian.’

Angelina put her head in her hands. ‘Oh God, do I really? I’ve never seen a dead body.’ She shook her head. ‘Really, I don’t think I can.’