‘There’s no question her husband abuses her,’ Sarah Collins tells me. ‘He’s completely undermined her in every respect. He’s also threatened her if she tries to leave him again. And it’s all made much worse because he’s a GP and everyone who knows him thinks he’s God.’

‘Not around here, they don’t.’ Getting up, I walk over to the window, shaking my head. Abuse cases are always complicated. ‘We’re bringing him in – he should be here shortly.’

‘Good. We’ve given Elise the name of a bed and breakfast a few miles from here. She’s packing a few things while she waits for Niamh to get back from school.’

‘Is anyone with her?’

Sarah shakes her head. ‘With us picking up Buckley, there didn’t seem any point.’

I nod. ‘Fair enough. He isn’t likely to be leaving here any time soon. As well as arresting him on suspicion of abuse, he’s potentially a suspect in Hollie’s murder.’

Sarah stares at me. ‘You couldn’t make it up. And all in such a small village.’ Her phone buzzes. ‘Collins.’ Holding her hand over the mouthpiece, she mouths Elise Buckley at me. Then she frowns. ‘Look, just stay put. We’re on our way.’

Ending the call, she’s already walking towards the door. ‘We need to get over there. It seems Andrew Buckley must have left the surgery before we got there. He obviously got wind we were on our way and came home early. Elise sounds terrified.’

Instantly on my feet, I pull on my jacket as we walk. ‘I’ll drive. Call Emerson and get him to join us. Tell him to bring someone with him.’ Outside, I break into a run. If Andrew knows Elise has talked to us, she’s in more danger than ever before.

*

I drive as fast as I dare, while Sarah goes on talking. ‘Elise did warn us that he’ll be utterly convincing about how unstable she is. She said he’ll tell us she has mental health problems and that she was drunk when she fell down the stairs. He’ll make it sound like it’s completely her fault that it happened. She also said that he’ll tell us it was her fault their son died.’

‘What?’ It’s the first I’ve heard of that. ‘He can’t put that one on her. Their son took an overdose.’

‘I’m just telling you what Elise said earlier.’