This article contains spoilers from the episode of Emmerdale dated January 21. It hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX.

Three more members of the Emmerdale village have entered the mix when it comes to who ends up killing Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).

So far this week, two stories have unfolded that have prime suspects in the murder investigation at the centre.

On Monday, Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) was left reeling to learn the truth about boyfriend Ray. Her son Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke) also discovered his secrets, and attempted to threaten Ray with a rock outside.

Yesterday, focus was on Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) and recently returned Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough). Graham had learnt about April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) being involved in Ray and Celia’s (Jaye Griffiths) operation, and told Rhona that he’d deal with the problem for her.

It was at the end of the episode that we got a glimpse into what would happen today. Over the road from Smithy Cottage, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) was trying to stop Ross Barton (Michael Parr) from doing something to Ray that he may later regret.

As the instalment began, we saw Marlon watching Ray outside Laurel’s house. He had a knife in his pocket, after stealing it from the kitchen with the intention of hurting Ray.

We then pulled back a few hours, to the moment Marlon tried to confront Ray at the farm. He knew that April was missing and believed Ray had something to do with it.

Without any answers, Marlon believed that killing Ray really was the only way to end his family’s nightmare.

He snuck behind Ray outside Laurel’s house and came very close to doing something, but was then caught by Ross.

Marlon offloaded to Ross, who was horrified that April had spent so long in danger and he had no idea about it.

They were both determined to do something, but Ross pointed out that if Ray is the only person who knows where April is, killing him won’t get them any closer to her.

While this was happening, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) was reeling after learning from Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) that his dad Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) was working as a slave on Celia’s farm.

In the village, Paddy found Ray, who had just left Laurel’s house. In search of answers, Paddy was staggered to hear Ray speak about how he became close to Bear, and how he was simply there to work for him .

Every time Ray said that he didn’t believe Bear was being abused or manipulated, Paddy grew more angry and heartbroken.

He was desperate to find his dad, but was then delivered another gut punch when Ray revealed that Bear was killed by Celia.

Paddy attempted to threaten Ray, but he knew the local vet was in way over his head.

The instalment ended with Ross up at Butler’s, loading a shotgun. Along with Ross, we now have Marlon, Paddy, Rhona, Graham, Laurel and Arthur as suspects in this case.

Only one Emmerdale resident will commit the crime though.