‘I had to call in to see someone,’ I lie. ‘I was very sorry to hear that Elise had such a bad fall.’ I glance at her then back at him. ‘You need to do something about your stairs, Doctor Buckley.’ His face is unreadable. ‘I understand DI Saunders has been in touch?’ I add, my eyes not leaving his. ‘If you could come in at your earliest convenience, I know he’s keen to talk to you.’

I don’t want to leave her alone with him, but I have no choice. Surely he can’t hurt her in hospital. On the way out, I pause at the nurses’ station, just in case. ‘Mrs Buckley’s tired. She told me she didn’t want any visitors. Can you check on her?’ As I glance over my shoulder, I see Andrew Buckley is at the foot of his wife’s bed, his arms folded.

*

On my way out to my car, I check my phone to find three missed calls from DI Saunders. When I call him back, he’s less than pleased.

‘Where the hell have you been, May?’

‘To see Elise Buckley in hospital, sir. Her husband’s been using her as a punch bag.’

‘Dear God. Did she say as much?’

‘Almost. But she didn’t have to – the physical evidence is clear. There’s no point in bringing him in though. She won’t testify against him. She’s terrified.’ We see it far too often in abuse cases. ‘What was it you needed, sir?’

‘We’ve been questioning Hampton again. He’s given us the name of someone else he says is involved in Mason’s business dealings. Julian Calder. I’d like to you to talk to him. Don’t give anything away. Start with a few questions about Hollie, gauge his response and go from there. I’ll get someone to text you his address.’

By the time I’ve reached my car, my phone has already pinged with the address. But as I set off, I can’t stop thinking about Elise Buckley. Knowing what she’s gone through, I can’t let this go. Domestic violence tends to escalate and if Buckley’s done this to her now, God knows what he’s capable of next time. I have to talk to her when her husband isn’t around; try to persuade her that she needs to get away from him. Then help her find somewhere else to go.

*

Reaching Abingworth, I turn my attention to the Calders. They live in a large thatched cottage the far side of the village, set up a bank above the lane. I park at the roadside, pausing in the car to study the house.