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I look to Levi for support, but he’s gazing thoughtfully at Branok. “It must be somewhere,” Levi says.

I throw my hands up. “Levi,” I plead.

Ignoring me, he says, “Maybe we should start with the concept that Boynton murdered you.”

Branok’s face is calm, so I know he’s already considered this. “Yes?” he says.

“Well, wouldn’t he have thrown your body into the sea after he killed you? Your body never surfaced as far as historical records show. If your body had popped up on the tide, people would have believed you’d fallen in the sea and drowned.”

Branok shakes his head. “Boynton liked the drama of the church, if not their teachings. I believe he would’ve given me a burial on his own and had some kind of private ritual around it.”

Levi taps his fingers in an idle rhythm on the table. “So, where would this have taken place?”

I’ve been pondering this since Levi told me what Xander said to him. “I think I have an idea,” I say slowly.

Levi raises his eyebrows in question, and I twist to face him.

“Remember Xander telling you about things that were happening in Porthkrogour during that time?”

“Yes?” Branok says impatiently.

“Where’s the best place to hide anything?” I ask. Levi rolls his eyes at me, obviously impatient as well. “The answer is where people wouldn’t be surprised to see it. So, the best place to hide a body is…”

They stare at me and I sigh and say, “It’s a good thing I’m the brains of this operation.”

“Fucking hell,” Levi breathes.

I settle down at the table beside him. “The Mary Jane wrecked on the beach, so everyone’s minds were on that. And then something else happened.”

“The magistrate died!” Levi exclaims.

“Josiah died during that time as well?” Branok grips his pipe. “That old windbag.”

“Obviously we don’t know him as well as you,” I say. Levi nudges me, and then I try asking the question again. “But my point is that the best place to put a body is…”

“In the graveyard,” Levi finishes.

I clap him on the back affectionately. “Yes. And what was happening that week?”

“Josiah’s funeral,” Branok says, his face suddenly ablaze with interest.

“Yes,” I say again. “And Boynton was the vicar of the church. He conducted the rites, he supervised the burial of the dead and orchestrated how the body was interred. Would anyone have noticed if Josiah’s coffin was a little heavier? Say heavy enough for two bodies?”

Branok shakes his head. “He was a large man. They would have expected to struggle carrying him.”

I sit back. “There you go, then. I bet you anything your body is in that coffin.”

Levi is staring hard at me, his gaze burning the side of my head. “I’m sincerely hoping you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.” He sighs. “Of course, you are.”

I nod happily. “Fancy a spot of grave robbing?”

CHAPTER 17

BLUE

Midnight finds me sitting back at the table, dressed in warm clothes and fiddling with my beanie.

Footsteps sound and I look up as Levi comes into the room. He’s wearing jeans and a heavy green jumper and has a frown on his pretty face. “What the fuck is this music?” he says.