He sighed. ‘Because I know things. About Marcus.’ Hands in his pockets, slouching slightly, Ashok looked like a different person. Like all they’d seen so far was the character he’d been playing. ‘I’m not here at Aldermere because I’m a fan of Lettice Davenport’s books – although I did read them all in preparation for this. I’m here because I was hired to investigate Marcus Fisher by a client of his who believes he has committed fraud.’

‘You’re a private investigator.’ Now the pieces were starting to fall into place.

‘Yes. And I’m a good one, usually. But Marcus … he was slippery.’

‘He’d been at this a long time.’ Caro thought about Harry and Heather, and their concerns about fake memorabilia. Looked like they weren’t the only ones being conned by Marcus. She looked Ashok up and down. ‘What about you? First case, or have you been at this a while, too?’

‘Don’t let the baby face fool you. I got my licence when I was twenty-one, and I know what I’m doing.’

Caro had a head full of questions she wanted to ask about his career choices, but they’d have to wait until later. Right now there was only one that mattered. ‘Who were you working for?’

‘I can’t tell you that,’ Ashok said, fast enough that she guessed he’d been prepared for the question. ‘Client confidentiality.’

‘Hmm.’ More secrets. Just what they didn’t need. ‘Why should I trust you if you won’t trust me?’

Ashok sighed. ‘I can tell you it’s an overseas collector with a vested interest in the upcoming movie. Will that do?’

‘I suppose so.’ For now.

‘The important thing is, I’d almost convinced his assistant, Clementine, to testify against him.’ Ashok scowled. ‘Before she disappeared for that conveniently timed family emergency.’

‘You think Marcus was behind that, too?’ Caro asked.

‘I think she was scared, and it wouldn’t have taken much. I’ve been trying to get in touch with her since – I didn’t give up both my mobile phones on arrival, obviously – but she’s not replying to my messages or taking my calls. That’s why I was at her room that first night; I wanted to see if she’d left me a note, or anything.’

‘If you were only here to investigate Marcus, why stay once he’s dead?’ she asked. ‘Why not go find Clementine, or wash your hands of it all and report back to your client?’

‘Because it wasn’t just the fraud I was investigating,’ Ashok admitted. ‘My client was also being blackmailed by Marcus.’

‘He wasn’t the only one,’ Caro muttered.