‘Sadly there’s no one. You may know that Mr Murphy’s father died fairly recently. His mother passed away some years ago and he has no siblings.’

A bald man in a light grey suit then came up and introduced himself to James.

‘I’m Grant Fuller, the wedding photographer,’ he said. ‘Miss Cornwall has spoken to me, Inspector, and I can show you all the photographs I’ve taken when you’re ready. I’ve had a look and there are quite a few of Rachel.’

‘Where’s your camera?’

‘In Miss Cornwall’s office. I’ve already transferred the photos to a USB stick so you can view them on the computer.’

‘Then could you perhaps go and wait for me there? I’ll be along shortly.’

As the photographer nodded and hurried away, James flipped open his notebook and started writing down a list of questions that he wanted answers to.

Can we pinpoint the exact time when Rachel was last seen?

Who is Carlo Salvi and where is he now?

Had the pair actually made plans for her to move to Italy with him?

Did they argue about it in her room and is that why she appeared upset and started drinking heavily?

And did they end up on the jetty together where the argument got out of hand and he attacked her before fleeing the hotel?

James was about to tell Abbott to pass on the name ‘Carlo Salvi’ to Control when he was approached by a young man in a staff uniform.

‘My name is Mike Lynch and there’s something I need to tell you, Inspector Walker,’ he said.

‘I’m listening, Mike,’ James replied.

‘During the reception I was collecting bottles and glasses that had been left in the garden. I was walking back towards the terrace when I heard voices and saw three people on a path that ran between some high bushes. They were standing between a couple of solar lamps so I was able to recognise two of them immediately as the bride and her sister,’ he said. ‘There was also a man I’d seen earlier but I don’t know who he is.’

James’s interest was immediately aroused because Libby had never mentioned being in the garden with Rachel.

‘What time was this, Mr Lynch?’

‘It must have been about half five.’

‘Did you hear what they were saying to each other?’ James asked him.

‘I only heard the tail-end of the conversation because it was obvious that they were arguing and I didn’t want to be accused of eavesdropping. So, I carried on walking.’

‘What did you hear then?’

‘Well, I saw and heard Ms Elliott – or rather, Mrs Murphy – tell her sister that if she ruined everything, she would never forgive her.’

‘And did her sister respond?’

‘She did, and I can remember the exact words. She said, “Do you really think that bothers me?”’

CHAPTER TWELVE

Eager to quickly establish the identity of the man seen in the garden with Rachel and her sister, James asked Mike Lynch to accompany him to the manager’s office so that he could view the pictures taken by the wedding photographer.