‘Yes, and it’s probably not exhaustive.’

‘Let me do some of my own digging. I can begin with the planning,’ Jo says.

‘What do you mean?’

‘The planning application for the development behind these houses. The more I think about it, the more I question the timing of all this … this … strangeness. It can’t be a total coincidence, can it? That all this stuff started happening at a similar time to the developer’s proposition? Do we even know who’s behind it? I mean, I know we’ve got a company name – Whitmore & Co – and some geeks who did that information session up at the village hall, but we don’t know much about the owners.’

‘It wouldn’t hurt to look into it. But I really don’t think it’s all related to them. I have an awful suspicion this goes way back and something recent – a catalyst – has started off a chain reaction.’

‘It might all be linked, though. If you ask me, dodgy Carl is in the centre of this.’

‘Unless, of course, he’s merely the catalyst,’ I counter.

‘We need to find out more. While I’m delving into the developer’s side, Keeley, you can do some detective work and find out all you can about Wayne. Amber, I think you should stick to Davina, watch her every move, and get what you can from her. She might not be willing to divulge much about her husband, but she does know a lot about other people, so she’s still your best bet in helping find out what other stuff Carl is up to.’

‘Okay. Sounds like a plan. Thanks, guys, I really appreciate you taking me seriously.’

Jo shrugs. ‘You’re welcome. What are friends for?’

Jo and Keeley get up and go to the back door. ‘Bye, boys!’ I hear a distant goodbye coming from Finley and Leo. Once, I relished them being that far away so I couldn’t hear their squeals, but now, I feel anxious instead.

‘Time to come on in, now, lads!’ I call.

‘One other thing,’ Jo says as she’s leaving. ‘It might also be worth speaking to Nick. As much as I diss him, say he’s worthless and whatever, I do think he might have some valid input. After all, he is the one who lived here first, when his brother went missing. He knows the history and might have more insight than he thinks.’

‘Yes, I will. But I’ll have to go gently. Coming right out and saying I think there’s a possibility his brother is back will be too much of a shock. And if I’m wrong, which, let’s face it, I probably am, then I’ll dredge up all his old feelings again for nothing.’

‘You know him best. Night, Amber.’

Do I really know Nick best?

I’m beginning to change my mind about that.

Chapter Sixty-Three

Amber