His eyes narrow. ‘That is nonsense and you know it,’ he snarls, his rage getting the better of him as he starts launching accusations. ‘You’re deluded, Elise. I’ve tried to protect you, but you’ve forced me into this. I can’t hide it anymore. We both know that it was you who killed Dylan.’

I watch shock register on Elise’s face. Then she glances at me, even more terrified than before. But I’ve seen enough. I step forward. ‘Andrew Buckley, I am arresting you on suspicion of violently attacking your wife.’

But he interrupts me. ‘You can’t arrest me. You don’t have any proof I’ve done anything.’

Raising my voice, I talk over him. ‘You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’ I nod towards Emerson, who comes forward and leads Buckley away.

I look at Sarah. ‘You’d better go with them.’ Then I notice Elise is trembling and add, ‘I’ll stay here. I’ll let the DI know you’re on your way.’

As the other officers go outside, I walk over to where Elise is sitting. ‘I know it doesn’t feel like it, but it’s going to be OK.’

But she looks distraught. ‘You don’t know Andrew. He’ll get me for this.’

‘Elise, he can’t. At the very least, there are legal measures we can take to keep him away from you.’ I pause. ‘Can I make you a cup of tea?’

She shakes her head.

‘Is Niamh here?’

‘She’s upstairs.’ A look of horror washes over her face. ‘I have to protect her from this, but don’t you see? Everything I do makes it worse.’

‘Your husband will be kept in overnight,’ I tell her. ‘And I’m sure the hospital staff will confirm that your injuries were not the result of a fall. They see this too often, Elise.’ I watch her. ‘So do we. Meanwhile, you and Niamh should carry on packing. The sooner you’re away from here, the better.’

*

As I walk out to the car, I call the DI. ‘Sir, Collins and Emerson are bringing Andrew Buckley in. We’ve arrested him on suspicion of assaulting his wife. He denies it, of course, but he’s guilty as hell.’

‘Right. I’ll address it when I talk to him about Mason.’

‘I thought you might. I’ll see you shortly, sir.’

As I glance back at the house, seeing Elise’s battered face at the window is like looking at a mirror image of my past self. But it reconfirms my belief that if Andrew Buckley is capable of doing that to his wife, he could have done far worse to Hollie.

Chapter Forty-One

Jo