A black Range Rover was parked near the front door of the hotel, the tailgate standing open. Eamon Ferry appeared as Clare drew into a parking space opposite. He was carrying an overnight bag and he waited for them to approach.
‘Any news, Inspector?’ he asked. His tone was smooth, the smile fixed.
Clare ignored this. ‘If you could let Ms Fox know we’re here.’
He looked at them for a moment then said, ‘Of course.’ He loaded the bag into the back of the Range Rover and walked smartly back towards the front door.
Clare and Chris followed him in and stood waiting in the reception area. A few minutes later Gaby came down the main staircase. She was more formally dressed than she had been over the past few days and Clare guessed she was heading back to London. Perhaps to take up the reins of her morning show again.
‘Inspector,’ she said, a faint crease to her brow. ‘Eamon said you were looking for me.’
‘Is there somewhere we can talk, please?’
Gaby drew them across to a quiet corner of the cocktail bar and indicated some chairs. She waited for them to sit then she perched on the arm of a sofa.
Clare thought she seemed more in control than she’d been on their last visit. Perhaps it was the clothes. Was she back in work mode already? ‘Gaby,’ she began, ‘we have some news.’
The frown deepened and Clare searched her expression. Was it worry? Distress?
‘Yes?’ she said.
‘We recovered a gun cartridge from the roof of Lamond Lodge.’
Gaby flinched at the mention of the word gun but Clare pressed on.
‘We believe it’s from the weapon used to kill Russell.’
Her face softened and she gave a slight nod. ‘Thank you for telling me. It’s not easy… hearing these things. But I know you have your job to do.’
Clare went on. ‘The cartridge was examined by our forensic scientists and they recovered a DNA profile from it.’ She paused, watching Gaby carefully, then said, ‘I’m afraid it doesn’t match anyone on our system.’
Gaby’s shoulders sagged. ‘Then you still have no idea who’s responsible for Russell’s death?’
‘I’m afraid not. But our investigation continues and I have every available officer working on it.’
Across the room Clare saw Luke Gasparini looking round and she raised a hand to attract his attention. He walked quickly towards them, his brow creased. ‘We’re leaving shortly,’ he said, moving to stand beside his wife. ‘I hope you won’t keep Gaby long.’
Something in his manner made Clare hesitate. Then she came to a decision. She took a deep breath and said, ‘There is just one last thing – before you all leave.’
‘Yes?’
‘I’d like to ask for your permission to take DNA samples.’
Gaby’s eyes widened and Luke stiffened. Then he found his voice.
‘Mind if I ask why?’
Clare sensed Chris sit forward but she avoided his eye. ‘We’re still carrying out some forensic tests at the Lodge and it’s quite likely these tests will include taking swabs from any doors or windows the gunman might have touched. Obviously if any of our swabs match with your DNA we’ll know to disregard them.’ Clare’s tone was light but she watched the pair carefully. She saw Luke weighing this. He looked about to speak then Gaby cut in.
‘So we’re not under suspicion?’ she said.
Clare smiled. ‘No. And it would be entirely voluntary.’
‘In that case,’ Luke said. ‘I don’t agree. You can’t force us.’
Gaby glanced at him then back at Clare. ‘And what would happen to our DNA records – once you’ve found the culprit, I mean?’
‘They’d be destroyed. We’re required by law to do so.’
‘So you say,’ Luke snapped.
Clare ignored this, her eyes on Gaby. ‘It really would help us,’ she said.
Gaby met Clare’s eye. ‘All right, then. I consent.’ She took hold of her husband’s hand. ‘Why not? If it helps find who did this to Russell.’
He sighed heavily. ‘Oh, go on then. But don’t forget we’re catching the sleeper to London tonight.’
Nita arrived half an hour later with the DNA kits and they made their way to Gaby and Luke’s room where the five of them were waiting.
A short while later the samples were taken and Clare said her goodbyes. ‘We’ll be in touch as soon as we have any news.’
Gaby smiled. ‘Russell was very dear to me,’ she said. ‘Please, find whoever did this.’
‘I’ll run these to the lab now,’ Nita said as they walked towards the car park.
‘Actually,’ Clare stopped for a moment, thinking. ‘I should have taken the security guard’s DNA as well – Mark Mooney.’
‘Want me to head over there now?’
‘Give him a call, first,’ Clare said. ‘Make sure he’s there but don’t tell him why you want to see him.’
They waited while Nita made the call.
‘No answer,’ she said. ‘I’ll try his mobile.’ She stood for a minute, the phone clamped to her ear, then she shook her head. ‘Straight to voicemail.’
‘Okay,’ Clare said. ‘Keep trying. Meantime, if you could get these over to the lab.’
They waited until Nita had left then climbed into the car. They sat for a moment, watching Doug Gerrard and Steve Christie load their bags into the Range Rover.
‘So, riddle me this, Inspector,’ Chris said.
‘Yeah?’
‘What made you decide to take their DNA?’
She sat, silent for a moment. ‘I don’t know.’ She turned to Chris. ‘Something about Luke Gasparini’s manner. As though being obstructive with us was more important than supporting his wife.’ She shrugged. ‘Probably a waste of time. But we do need to check none of them match with the DNA on that cartridge.’
‘You don’t really think it was any of them, do you?’
‘Not really. But those three men all had the opportunity.’ She started the engine and pulled on her seat belt. ‘And don’t forget, Chris, the most likely explanation is often the right one.’