‘Can you tell me if she was dead before she fell – or was pushed – into the lake?’ James asked.

‘Not yet I can’t, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to.’

‘Is it possible she drowned then?’

‘It is, but only because she must have been unconscious when she hit the water. She wouldn’t have been able to save herself.’

None of this came as a surprise to James as Dr Flint was echoing what the chief forensic officer had already told him.

‘I gather she was the maid-of-honour at the wedding that was taking place here?’ Dr Flint said.

James nodded. ‘Her name is Rachel and her sister was the bride. She went missing after the pair had words during the reception.’

‘What was it over?’

‘Rachel had apparently drunk a little too much and was due to make a speech at the dinner. There was concern that she wouldn’t be able to.’

‘At least you’ve got a good idea of when the attack took place.’

‘We have, but despite the hotel being full there don’t appear to have been any witnesses.’

‘Any suspects?’

James told her about the Italian boyfriend.

‘It sounds like a promising lead,’ she said. ‘Now all you have to do is find him.’

‘I know it’s New Year’s Day and all that but is there any chance you can fast-track the post-mortem?’

‘I should be able to fit it in later today. Would it be okay for me to arrange for a coroner’s office vehicle to take the body away?’

‘Of course, but before you do is there anything else you can tell me that might be helpful?’

She shook her head and was about to speak when someone behind her began yelling.

James spun round and saw Fraser Elliott hurtling towards them along the path while being chased by a uniformed PC.

‘Oh shit, it’s the victim’s father,’ he said for Dr Flint’s benefit.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

‘I want to see my daughter,’ Fraser yelled. ‘You have no right to stop me.’

He got to within about ten yards of the forensic tent before the uniforms closed in and blocked his path.

‘This is not fair,’ Fraser screamed. ‘I want to tell her that I love her.’

The officers held onto his arms and he tried to struggle free but gave up after only a few seconds. Then his head dropped along with his shoulders and he started to cry.

James rushed forward and told the officers to let him go.

‘I’ll escort Mr Elliott back to the hotel,’ he said.

He then gently placed a hand on Fraser’s shoulder. ‘It’s simply not possible for you to see Rachel at this time, Mr Elliott. Delicate forensic work is being carried out, which we hope will help lead us to whoever did this to her.’

Fraser lifted his head and stared at James, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts.

‘But I can’t accept that she’s dead, Inspector. If I can just see her for myself, I might be able to.’