Robert Sugden’s hunt for the truth behind Nate Robinson’s shocking death has taken a dark and unnerving turn — and Emmerdale fans are convinced the story is more tangled than anyone first thought.

It began when Robert unearthed a critical piece of the puzzle: his half-brother Jon Sugden had visited Owen Michaels just hours before Owen was found near death. But rather than offering help, Jon watched Owen suffer — and then left behind a “suicide” note framing him for Nate’s death.

The move was cold. Calculated. And it sparked Robert’s suspicions immediately.

Desperate for answers, Robert reached out to Owen’s brother, Steve, hoping for clarity. And for a moment, it seemed like the tide might turn. Steve revealed he was actually with Owen that day, meaning Jon’s entire version of events — and the suicide note — were a complete fabrication.

But what should have been a breakthrough quickly became a dead end.

Steve, terrified of exposing a shady side hustle he and Owen were involved in, refused to share the truth with police. Instead, he backtracked, and by the time Robert took his findings to DC Cole, everything crumbled.

Cole didn’t just brush Robert off — he aggressively warned him to stop pursuing the case altogether. To make matters worse, when the officer rang Steve for confirmation, Steve denied everything and claimed he was at a birthday party. DC Cole believed him instantly, leaving Robert reeling and furious.

But it’s not just Robert who’s sensing foul play.

Fans are now speculating that DC Cole himself might be covering for Jon Sugden.

“The way he shut Robert down was beyond suspicious,” one viewer wrote online. “It felt like he already knew the truth — and didn’t want it out.”

Another questioned how Cole could ignore such a serious allegation without even verifying Steve’s original account. “Surely he’d at least have gone to speak with Jon again?”

The theory gaining traction? That Jon isn’t acting alone. That someone — possibly DC Cole or another yet-unknown accomplice — is actively helping him bury the truth. Whether out of corruption, blackmail, or a shared past, something doesn’t sit right with viewers. And with Robert getting stonewalled at every turn, the conspiracy only seems to grow.

Robert, now isolated and more determined than ever, has reached the point of no return. He knows he’s risking everything, but the possibility that Nate’s death was not only orchestrated but also covered up is a fire he can’t extinguish.

Will Robert take matters into his own hands — again? And who is helping Jon keep the truth hidden?

Could this be the start of an even darker reckoning for the Sugden brothers?

What do you think: is DC Cole dirty, or is someone else pulling the strings?