‘Isn’t that what everyone thinks of suicide?’ Kate asked.
Kelly acknowledged the common opinion that suicide victims were somehow different to everyone else.
Kelly read the email from her desktop computer to Kate.
‘Apparently it’s a health conference and they’re all wealthy influencers,’ Kelly said.
‘Influencers? Good God, that’s all we need. It’ll be all over the sodding internet,’ Kate said.
‘That’s the problem, it’s been recorded.’
‘Oh, please, social media is vile. I can’t convince any of my daughters it’s not real, it’s just clickbait,’ Kate said.
The whole concept depressed Kelly, who had a two-year-old. What would the world be like when Lizzie turned fifteen? She worried about it constantly. A need to check on Emma took holdof her and she went to the incident room to make sure she was OK.
She approached Dan first and told him about the incident at Heron Hall. Then she hugged Emma, who stiffened then relaxed.
Fin glanced over, none the wiser, confirming how lacking in awareness he was. In that moment, Kelly was disappointed she’d slept with someone so shallow and suddenly wanted Johnny. Thinking of Johnny made her finger the ruby ring on her right hand. The stones sparkled happily. It had been his grandmother’s. Wearing it had become something of a lucky charm for her.
She coughed and pulled back, then briefed her small team, distancing herself from unwanted thoughts.
‘The scene is secure, but they have numerous traumatised witnesses to handle.’
The uniforms on site weren’t trained to deal with mass shock. ‘Some of the guests have already left,’ Kelly said. ‘We need to nail down the witnesses; this has come from Carleton Hall because – get this – the conference was a gathering of important health influencers hosted by a big American company.’
Dan whistled and Fin spun around on his chair.
‘Feck, it sounds more like murder to me,’ Fin said.
More and more, Kelly witnessed the business class seeking private hideaways in the Lake District to conduct their deals and conceal inconvenient truths. When one of their kind got into trouble – especially so young – she often smelt a rat. Jamie Robbins had been twenty-nine years old. Caution was required with all suspected suicides, but Fin had a point. Her hackles were raised already and she wasn’t even there yet.
Two deaths in as many days wasn’t something she’d expected when she’d begun the week.
‘It’s a messy scene. Emma and Dan, I want you to sit this one out. Kate will come to Rydal with me tonight.’
Kate nodded.
‘First responders have made a start on statements. It was very public.’
Under British law, the police couldn’t coerce anyone into helping their inquiries but luckily there were plenty willing to do so. Two senior members of the company were present at the conference and had convinced the attendees to hang around.
‘Tilda Dent and Hank Hampton,’ Kelly said.
The names were met with expected sniggers.
‘Now, now,’ Kelly warned them.
‘They sound rich,’ Dan said.
‘They’re the big cheeses.’
‘What are they doing here?’ Emma asked.
‘What is so important to bring inles grands fromages?’ Dan added.
‘I didn’t know you spoke French,’ Kelly ribbed him.
‘Mange tout,’ Fin added.
