“Don’t put words into my mouth, Sergeant. She may have changed her mind, although I don’t think it likely. She may not have wanted me to see her until the bandages were off and the scar healed, or the great George might have thought it medically unwise for her to have visitors and put a stop to it. How should I know what happened? I only know she asked me to come and I was going to stay here until she left.”

“But you sent her a text message, didn’t you? We found it on her mobile. Something very important has cropped up. I need to consult you. Please see me, please don’t shut me out. What was this very important matter?”

There was no reply. Boyton covered his face with his hands. The gesture might, Benton thought, be an attempt to conceal a wave of emotion, but it was also a convenient way of marshalling his thoughts. After a few moments’ silence Benton said, “And did you see her to discuss this important matter at any time after she arrived here?”

Boyton spoke through his hands. “How could I? You know I didn’t. They wouldn’t let me into the Manor before or after the operation. And by Saturday morning she was dead.”

“I have to ask you again, Mr. Boyton, what was this important matter?”

And now Boyton was looking at Benton, his voice controlled. “It wasn’t really important. I tried to make it sound as if it was. It was about money. My partner and I need another house for our business, and a suitable one has come on the market. It would be a really good investment for Rhoda and I hoped she’d help. With the scar gone and a new life before her, she might have been interested.”

“And I suppose your partner can confirm this?”

“About the house? Yes, he could, but I don’t see why you should ask him. I didn’t tell him I was going to approach Rhoda. None of this is your business.”

Benton said, “We’re investigating a murder, Mr. Boyton. Everything is our business, and if you cared for Miss Gradwyn and want to see her killer caught, you can help best by answering our questions fully and truthfully. No doubt you’ll be anxious now to get back to London and your entrepreneurial activities?”

“No, I booked for a week and I’m staying for a week. That’s what I said I’d do, and I owe it to Rhoda. I want to find out what’s going on here.”