He turned to Abbott. ‘You and Sean will also need to provide statements but we can sort those out when we’re back in the office,’ he said. ‘In the meantime, I need you to view the hotel surveillance footage and the video sequences shot by Grant Fuller. With any luck they’ll tell us when our prime suspect, the Italian guy, arrived and left as he presumably arrived at the hotel by car and if he parked in the main car park he’ll probably be on CCTV.’

He then told the third DC to start the process of digging up information on Carlo Salvi and to pass on the name to all units in the county and all transport hubs, especially airports. Did the guy have a criminal record? Was he a UK resident or here on holiday?

‘We need to act quickly and gather as much information as we can and to get on top of this before we come under pressure to let everyone leave the hotel,’ James stressed to the team. ‘Once they do it will slow the pace of the investigation considerably.’

He finished the briefing by saying he would be returning to the bridal suite to talk to Rachel’s family again.

‘After that I’ll be heading for the jetty, by which time I hope the pathologist will have arrived and be able to shed some more light on what happened to Rachel.’

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

James was walking across reception to the stairs when the lift doors opened and Greg Murphy stepped out. He saw James and walked up to him.

‘It doesn’t feel right to just stay in the suite,’ he said. ‘This is my hotel and I need to show support for the staff and be on hand to help the guests. Libby and her parents can cope without me for a while.’

‘I’m just on my way up there,’ James said. ‘There are some things I need to tell them.’

‘Do you know who killed Rachel?’

‘Not yet. But we do know that the man who was seen with her goes by the name of Carlo Salvi. She invited him to the wedding. Is he known to you, Mr Murphy?’

His eyebrows shot up inquisitively. ‘I’ve never heard of him. And it’s not a name I would easily forget.’

James told him what Rachel said to her friend about moving to Italy. ‘She was apparently going to announce it during the wedding and at the same time introduce Carlo as her boyfriend.’

Murphy’s face took on a thoughtful expression as he slowly shook his head.

‘That’s news to me and it will be to Libby,’ he said. ‘Are you sure that Rachel didn’t make it up?’

James shrugged. ‘The friend was in no doubt that she was telling the truth.’

‘When was she intending to go?’

‘Soon, apparently. I’m guessing she was going to reveal all at the meal, probably after making her speech. But it seems that something happened between them and whatever it was may have encouraged her to go down to the jetty during the reception.’