Members of the security team had been co-operative but not helpful. Their leader had pointed out that they were concentrating on strangers, particularly members of the press arriving at the Manor, not on individuals with a right to be there. Only one of the four men had been in the caravan outside the gates at the relevant time and he couldn’t remember seeing any member of the household leave the Manor. The other three members of the team had concentrated on patrolling the boundary separating the Manor grounds from the stones and the field in which they stood in case this offered a convenient access. Dalgliesh made no attempt to press them. They were, after all, responsible to Chandler-Powell, who was paying them, not to him.

For most of the evening Dalgliesh let Kate and Benton take over the discussion.

Benton said, “Miss Westhall says she told no one about Boyton’s suspicions that they faked the date of her father’s death. It seems unlikely that she would. But Boyton himself may have confided in someone, either at the Manor or in London. And if so, that person might use the knowledge to kill him and then tell much the same story as Miss Westhall.”

Kate’s voice was dismissive. “I can’t see an outsider killing Boyton, Londoner or not. At least not in this way. Think of the practicalities. He’d have to arrange a rendezvous with his victim in Stone Cottage when he could be sure that the Westhalls weren’t there and the door would be open. And what reason could he give for enticing Boyton into a neighbour’s cottage? And why kill him here anyway? London would be simpler and safer. The same complications would apply to anyone at the Manor. Anyway, there’s no point in theorising until we get the autopsy report. On the face of it misadventure seems a more likely explanation than murder, particularly in view of the Bostocks’ evidence about Boyton’s fascination with the freezer, which gives some credence to Miss Westhall’s explanation—provided, of course, that they’re not lying.”

Benton broke in. “But you were there, ma’am. I’m sure they weren’t lying. I don’t think Kim in particular has the wit to make up a story like that and tell it so convincingly. I was absolutely convinced.”

“So at the time was I, but we have to keep an open mind. And if this is murder, not misadventure, then it has to be tied up with Rhoda Gradwyn’s death. Two killers in the same house at the same time beggars belief.”

Benton said quietly, “But it has been known, ma’am.”