‘Have tips been good?’ she asked.
He looked caught off guard which was exactly what she wanted.
‘Yes, actually. Very good. Some of the guests are very wealthy.’
‘I know.’ She paused. ‘It can be overwhelming. You were the one who held everything together, by all accounts. We have specially trained officers you can speak to about the things you saw. I know it can wreak havoc on your mind.’
He stared at her.
‘I bet you’ve seen plenty,’ he said.
She nodded.
‘Do you get used to it?’
‘No.’ She answered honestly. His transparency was disarming and she could see why Sandy Cooper might show interest in him. Doctor Cooper was a rebel; that much was clear from the fact she wandered around at the edge of the lake puffing on cigarettes at a health conference. But she doubted somebody like Sandy Cooper would be serious about this gentle man in front of her, and Kelly felt a pang of maternal protection towards him. Doctor Cooper would eat him for breakfast and by her own admission, she already had. She had no idea how many times these two had snuck away from the conference to jump into bed.
‘What did the coroner say?’ he asked her suddenly.
‘He’ll reserve his findings until he’s completed his report.’ She remained tight-lipped.
‘Of course. I was in shock. I said some things perhaps I shouldn’t.’
‘Don’t worry, your statements on the night will be investigated in context. Witnesses say all sorts of things in the moment.’
She knew he referred to his initial statement to the first uniforms on the scene when he told them he didn’t believe Jamie Robbins jumped, which was what got their attention in the first place.
‘Some witnesses have reported a noise before Mr Robbins hit the floor, like a shout or a cry.’
‘Yes, I think he did shout. It was like a wail, as if he was scared. I suppose I would be if I fell like that.’
‘And you saw no one upstairs with him?’
‘No.’
‘Anyone acting strangely?’
He hesitated before he said no this time.
‘And you took Ms Cooper to the Rydal Caves that morning?’
He coloured and looked down at his hands. ‘Erm, yes. It’s the biggest attraction around here.’
‘I know; I’m from Penrith.’
‘Oh.’
‘And, after the caves, you returned with her to her room?’
Lee looked uncomfortable. Considering he was happy to bed hop with guests, he wasn’t used to explaining himself.
‘Yes. We took the back stairs via the kitchen.’
‘The back stairs?’
‘Yes, this is an old building. I know the renovations make it look modern, but the original house stands at the core of the central building and there is a network of stairs and corridors behind the walls.’
‘Can you show me?’
