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She wanted to impart this scenario to Mooney but figured she’d belittled his professional character enough for one day. It wasn’t her case. She was on holiday, here for a wedding. She had to keep her nose firmly out of this.

As she walked back across the fields, she knew that would be impossible.

20

Lottie showered, unsurprised at the low water pressure. The house was old and situated on a hillside after all. Grace had shown them the plans for their new house, and Bryan had promised to bring them to the site to look at the progress being made. She no longer had any interest in seeing it.

She pulled on light-blue jeans and a white cotton blouse as Boyd came into the compact bedroom.

‘Have you time now to tell me what went on?’ he asked.

‘Sorry about rushing up the stairs like that, but I had to wash the stench of death out of my hair. I needed to decompress.’ She sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her damp hair. ‘It was so harrowing. It was as if someone scalded that poor woman to death.’

‘Is that the official line?’ He sat on the bed beside her.

‘No, she may have died of a heart attack from the shock of being doused with boiling water. Whichever way it’s ruled once the post-mortem is conducted, it’s obvious to me that she suffered. Suffered horribly.’

‘Who was she?’

‘They say the cottage was rented by a documentary-maker Imelda Conroy, and Mooney, the detective in charge, is runningwith that. He strikes me as diligent, so I’m sure he will conduct a proper investigation.’

‘Sounds shocking,’ Boyd said. ‘And for it to happen in such a beautiful place – you don’t expect that.’

‘I wouldn’t expect it anywhere, to be honest.’

‘Do you know what the woman was working on?’

‘No idea.’ She left the brush on the bed, giving up on her hair. ‘But I’d love to find out.’

‘Now, Lottie.’ He held her hand and turned her round to face him. ‘It’s not your case. You’re here for my sister’s wedding. Leave the murder to the local team.’

‘I offered to help.’

‘What? You have no jurisdiction here.’

‘I can assist, can’t I?’

‘Stop.’ He stood. ‘I don’t want you to ruin this for Grace.’

‘I’d never do that, Mark. Honestly.’

He eyed her sceptically. ‘Dinner is ready. Come down and eat.’

‘I don’t think I can stomach food.’ She caught his look, one that said Grace would be insulted if she declined. ‘Go ahead then. I’ll be there in a minute. Have to dry my hair first.’

‘Five minutes, then I’m coming to get you.’

‘Sure.’ She kissed his cheek.

Then she was alone. With her thoughts. With the images from the cottage. With the horror of what that woman had gone through. She knew she couldn’t walk away from it.

After a cordial dinner, Bryan decided he couldn’t talk to Grace’s brother. It was obvious he was very close to her, so instead he decided to have a word with Lottie. She seemed interesting.A little intimidating, if he was being truthful, but he was used to dealing with stubborn animals, so she should be easy to handle. He felt himself blush at the thought, wondering if it was inappropriate.

Getting her on her own was the problem. He could hardly ask her to come out and corral the sheep with him. Or could he?

In the end, Lottie was happy to accompany him outside, leaving Boyd helping Grace with the dishes.

‘I wanted to talk to you about something,’ Bryan said as they walked around the rear of the house. Tess, his dog, led the way.