Felix had been surprised to see Roz so soon, but not surprised to hear of Callum’s threats. ‘And you say you didn’t hear a single word?’ he said as he poured the tea.

She pulled a face. ‘Not really, just something about the docks.’ Taking the mug of tea which Felix offered her, Roz blew gently on the surface before taking a tentative sip. ‘He was so angry, more so than usual.’ She thought for a moment then added, ‘Scared too, I could see it in his eyes, and I’ve never seen Callum look scared about anything.’

Felix sat down opposite her. ‘Had he found it or had someone else?’

Roz furrowed her brow as she tried her hardest to remember the half-heard comment. ‘I really couldn’t say.’ She looked up sharply. ‘Perhaps they’ve found his stash of stolen goods from all the looting he’s been doing, and he’s scared they’re going to put two and two together and realise it was him.’

Felix gave her a dark look. ‘Or perhaps they’ve found a body.’ Seeing her incomprehension, he added, ‘Suzie’s mother?’

Roz stared wide-eyed at Felix and opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her.

Felix continued with his theory. ‘She’s been gone for a few years. If he dumped her in the docks, I should imagine identification would be pretty difficult, but it wouldn’t stop him worrying he’d been found out.’

Roz grimaced at the thought of dredging up a body that had been underwater all that time. She looked at Felix. ‘So you think he was telling them what he’d heard, so that they could get their stories straight before the scuffers came calling?’

Felix nodded slowly. ‘Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Only of course he didn’t count on you overhearing what he’d been saying. He’s probably worried that if the police ever did come asking questions you might repeat what you’d heard. Let’s face it, it would look decidedly iffy if Callum was overheard discussing his story before his wife’s remains had been identified.’

Roz stared at him, open-mouthed. ‘That’s why he threatened me.’

Felix’s jaw flinched. ‘He knew you’d keep quiet if he threatened Coconut …’ He eyed her thoughtfully. ‘Yet you still told me. Why, when he told you not to?’

She snorted her contempt. ‘If he thinks I’d not tell my friends they might be in danger, then he doesn’t know me at all. Forewarned is forearmed.’

Felix winked at her, and Roz felt her tummy flutter. ‘Loyal to the core, that’s my Roz. Callum wouldn’t know the meaning of the word loyalty, so he probably thinks you’ll keep shtum. Question is, what if it does turn out they’ve found Suzie’s mother’s body?’

Roz drew in a deep breath before letting it out. ‘That’s what worries me. Rumours will fly. What if someone says something and he thinks it’s come from me?’

‘He’ll only come after you if someone says you’ve been spreading rumours, so I think you’ll be fine, because I’m not going to say anything, and neither will Mabel.’