‘In Carlisle. We came to spend New Year’s Eve with the wife’s brother and his family. I can’t drive down tonight because I’ve had too much to drink but I can be there as early as possible in the morning.’

‘I’d rather you went straight to the office,’ James said. ‘Get things organised there. DC Abbott is with me.’

‘I remember her telling me that she was going to the wedding. How is she?’

‘A bit shaken, but she’s getting on with the job.’

‘And how are things looking? I’ve heard about the blood found on the jetty.’

James updated him and said that he should get as much sleep as possible before setting out from Carlisle.

‘I’m guessing that quite a few of the troops will have hangovers tomorrow and I don’t want you to be one of them,’ he added.

After hanging up, James walked into the reception area where he came across Karen Cornwall heading towards her office.

‘I’m just on my way to print off the guest and staff details for you,’ she said. ‘How are Rachel’s parents?’

‘Worried sick,’ he told her. ‘This is extremely hard for them.’

‘I take it there’s no news on Rachel?’

‘Not as yet. Have you been in the Garden Room?’

She nodded. ‘We’re serving tea and coffee and Greg has been telling the guests that they should either stay there or return to their rooms.’

‘I intend to go and have a word with them. Then I’d like to touch base with the wedding coordinator and photographer.’

‘They’re both in the Garden Room and they already know that you want to speak to them.’

‘That’s great. I’ll talk to you again soon.’

James was approaching the Garden Room when he saw DC Abbott walking towards him along the corridor.

‘I was just coming to find you, guv,’ she said. ‘The guests are all very anxious to know what’s happening. Some are insisting that they should be allowed to go home.’

‘Well, that’s not going to be possible just yet,’ James replied. ‘There’s still nothing to indicate that—’

He was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. This time it was Coppell on the line.

‘What is it, Tony?’ he asked.

‘You need to come straight back down here, James,’ he said. ‘Something has just been spotted out on the lake. And they think it’s a body.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘That was Coppell,’ James said to Abbott as he shoved his phone back into his pocket. ‘There’s been a sighting of something in the lake. It means the guests will have to wait.’

Her face tightened. ‘Oh hell. It’s what I’ve been dreading. Look, do you mind if I go to my room and change? Not only do I feel stupid prancing around in a dress and high-heels, but it’s freezing out there.’

He grinned. ‘Of course not. I’ll meet you down by the lake.’

His whole body felt tight with tension as he hurried across the garden. When he neared the jetty the scene was very different to how it had been just a short while earlier.