Emmerdale businessman Jai Sharma falls under suspicion next week, as Hotten Police launch an investigation into Ray Walters’ murder. But are the cops on the right track – or is another villager hiding a deadly secret?

After the police discover Ray’s body lying in a haulage van, Jai is interrogated about his use of the vehicle. Once the tense chat is over and done with, Jai sits tight as the cops explain that they will be in touch at a later date.

So, when Caleb Miligan privately asks his colleague whether he has anything to share with him, what will he say?

“It’s not looking good for Jai,” our Emmerdale source explains. “There’s no hiding that he’s been behind the wheel of the van that Ray’s corpse was found in. What could be more damning than that?

“Caleb is convinced that there’s a killer in the midst of his employees, so he asks Jai if he has any intel he needs to come clean about.

“Jai suggests that Celia is responsible for killing her son, but Caleb reckons it was someone else…”

The following day, DC Stewart asks Caleb whether there was any notable connection between Jai and Ray. Unfortunately for Jai, Caleb lets slip about his and Laurel Thomas’s messy divorce – which prompts the copper to put pen to paper…

Next, DS Walsh sets her sights on Laurel and pushes for answers about her relationship with Ray. In response, Laurel implies that Jai could have been unhappy about her moving on, which piques the detective’s interest.

Although Laurel then vouches for her ex-husband and declares that he couldn’t be responsible for the murder, will DS Walsh believe her?

Meanwhile, Jai is hauled in for questioning, which leaves him deeply worried for his future…

Later in the week, Jai is forced to defend himself in front of fellow punters at The Woolpack. Feeling the heat, the depot boss protests his innocence before angrily pointing the finger at April Windsor and Dylan Penders instead.

“So much for innocent until proven guilty!” our spy continues. “As soon as Jai enters the Woolie, he knows that every eye in the pub is on him. He tries to redeem himself but ends up casting blame on April and Dylan, which surely won’t do him any favours in the eyes of Marlon, Rhona and their family.

“That said, for all we know, one of those lot could be the culprit! This quest for the truth is going to be one crazy ride…”

With Jai gone from the pub, the remaining villagers dish out their thoughts on who could have killed Ray.

“Keep your eyes peeled as the conversation begins,” teases our insider. “It becomes clear that each one of the participants has secrets of their own to hide. The question is just how sinister those secrets are…”

As Jai struggles with the mounting pressure, will the police uncover that he is Ray’s murderer after all? Or is the true culprit hiding in plain sight?