‘I know. It kept my hands warm while I was walking. And I know how grumpy you can be in the mornings. Don’t want you upsetting any more locals, do we?’

The boyish grin on Dexter’s face made it impossible for Caroline to be angry at him.

‘Thank you,’ she said, pulling back out onto the road.

‘So. The reverend. Is there a new line I’ve missed?’

‘Nope, same one, still valid. Perhaps even more so, after the chat with Alice and Hannah Clifton.’

‘What, an ex-rugby star turns psychopathic killer and fancies bumping off a local businessman because he’s not keen on going to church jumble sales?’

‘Local businessman and his lover’s husband,’ Caroline added. ‘His churchgoing, religious lover.’

‘Reading between the lines, I doubt if he was too bothered about that. They were separated. “Estranged” was the word, wasn’t it? And in any case, that might give Roger Clifton a reason to want to bump off Patrick Walsh, but probably not the other way round.’

‘Unless Alice Clifton thought she might be in line to inherit the family business. That’d give them a nice little payout, wouldn’t it? Perfect opportunity to set up a new life on their own.’

Dexter grimaced. ‘I don’t see it. Look at the size of the gaff she’s got already. And he’s an ex-rugby international, so he’s not exactly short of a few bob either. I think murdering the ex and laying him out in the middle of Rutland Water for all to see would probably be a risk too far, especially when it ends up pointing so deliberately towards them. It’s almost too convenient.’

‘I’ll bear it in mind.’

They arrived in Empingham a few minutes later, having skirted the North Shore along the A606, before turning into the village and pulling up outside the church.

‘You’d think he might’ve suggested a coffee shop or something,’ Caroline said.

‘What, in Empingham?’

Caroline sighed. ‘Fair point. Shall we?’

As soon as they stepped inside the church, they were greeted by a genial-looking man who introduced himself as the Reverend Peter Tottman.

‘Thanks for getting back to me so quickly,’ Caroline said. ‘I appreciate you must be very busy.’ In finding the Reverend’s contact number, she’d discovered he was not only the minister at Empingham, but also Oakham and Uppingham Methodist Churches.

‘I’m only here to help get a few things in order for the fete on Saturday, but I’m more than happy to help,’ the reverend said, smiling.

‘I realise this might be a bit uncomfortable or unconventional, but we’re currently investigating the murder of a man called Roger Clifton. Does the name ring any bells?’

The look on Peter Tottman’s face told Caroline it did. ‘Alice’s ex-husband. Yes, I heard the news. Terrible.’

‘Well, husband,’ Caroline said. ‘They were still married.’

‘I see. And how can I help?’