‘Rachel is no longer alive, Mr Elliott,’ James said and realised that he was finding it hard to keep himself professionally detached. ‘Please believe me.’

Fraser swallowed hard and wiped the back of his hand across his eyes. Then he gave a nod and said, ‘You’re right. I know that. But it’s so hard.’

He allowed James to lead him back towards the hotel. On the way, James informed him that his officers would have to visit the Elliotts’ home.

‘We know that your daughter lived with you so we need to search her room for possible clues,’ he said. ‘And any of her digital devices, such as laptops and tablets, will have to be taken away and examined by our technicians. Do you want to accompany us or would you rather stay here in the hotel for the time being?’

‘I’ll have to ask my wife,’ he replied. ‘I’m not sure she’s ready to leave just yet.’

As they stepped back into the hotel, James asked Fraser if he was up to answering some more questions.

‘I’ll do whatever I can to help,’ he said, more composed now, his voice steadier.

James steered him into the Garden Room, which was thankfully empty, and invited him to sit down on one of the sofas.

‘I want to find out as much about Rachel as I can, Mr Elliott,’ he said as he sat opposite. ‘All I really know from what you’ve told me is that she was somewhat insecure and that she and her sister didn’t always get along.’

‘Both true,’ Fraser replied. ‘But she was also a very warm and caring person, and it’s just such a pity that life wasn’t kinder to her.’

‘I understand that your new son-in-law wasn’t very fond of her. Were you aware of that?’

He nodded. ‘It was Libby’s fault. Rachel told her that she didn’t like or trust the man and said she was mad to marry him. Libby then made the mistake of telling Greg and it soured the relationship.’

‘But I gather that Rachel wasn’t the only one who thought that Libby was making a mistake. Claire Prescott was of the same opinion and she suggested to me that you and your wife were too.’

‘The honest truth is that none of us thought that this marriage was a good idea, Inspector. And not just because of the obvious age difference, which some would say isn’t a big deal. We’ve just never felt that they’re right for each other. Libby insists that he makes her happy but we’re not convinced. It seems more likely that he has some kind of hold over her. It’s such a shame that she and Ethan didn’t stay the course. They were good together.’

James couldn’t conceal his surprise. ‘Are you saying that Libby was in a relationship with Ethan Prescott?’

Fraser nodded. ‘That’s right, and it was after he had a fling with Rachel.’

‘Really? I didn’t realise that. No one has mentioned it before now.’