‘Have you spoken to Libby then?’

‘Yes, sir. I came over to the Elliotts’ house earlier to see how they were and keep them abreast of things. Not long after I got here, Libby turned up with Claire Prescott, her former nanny. Libby came because she wanted to talk to her mum and picked Claire up on the way.’

‘And are mother and daughter back on speaking terms?’

‘I’m glad to say they are. But just so you’re aware, there was a bit of an incident outside the house when Libby pulled up in her car.’

‘What kind of incident?’

‘Well, Mr and Mrs Elliott have been pestered since yesterday by various newspapers who are baying for an interview with them about Rachel and the wedding. There was a reporter and a photographer here when they arrived and they pounced on Libby as soon as she climbed out of the car. She refused to speak to them and after helping Claire out, they started towards the house, but in their haste, Claire tripped over the kerb and fell.’

‘Shit. Was she hurt?’

‘Oh no. It wasn’t serious, thankfully, and she managed to get straight up.’

‘Where were you?’

‘I was watching through the window from inside the living room. It all happened so fast and by the time I’d rushed outside Libby and Claire were hurrying in through the front door.’

‘Was that the end of it?’ James asked.

‘Yes, it was. The photographer and reporter got in their car and drove off.’

‘As a matter of interest, were they representing the Cumbria Gazette?’

‘No, sir. They were there on behalf of the Daily Mail.’

James told Hartley that he needed to deliver what would be unwelcome news about the investigation to Mr and Mrs Elliott.

‘In view of what’s happened, I’ll come over to Bowness now and take the opportunity to tell Libby at the same time,’ he said.

After hanging up, he passed on what Hartley had told him to the other detectives.

‘When I’m finished in Bowness, I want us to descend on Ethan and Claire Prescott’s house in Windermere and hopefully find out if they’ve been hiding something from us. So, have a team on standby and be ready to roll as soon as you receive my call.’

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Someone had been thoughtful enough to bring a tray of coffees into the office so James helped himself to one before he and Abbott set off. He needed it to revive his senses.

This morning’s setbacks had left him feeling unsettled and far less positive about the investigation, and uncertainty continued to beat in his heart as Abbott drove them to Bowness.

He wasn’t looking forward to telling Rachel’s parents that two of their main suspects had fallen by the wayside. Or that their daughter’s latest boyfriend had rejected her just as Douglas Hannigan and Ethan Prescott had.

Libby also needed to be brought up to date and made aware of why her sister had drunk more than was good for her at the wedding.