‘About revenge and ill-will. The ramblings of someone who’s been caught out.’

Kelly nodded. ‘But you said this was many years ago?’

‘Yes. But I thought I should tell you because he is the only person I can think of who bore ill-feeling against her.’

‘It’s helpful, thank you. What’s his name?’

‘Kirk Junker.’

‘British national?’

‘I don’t know. It sounds Germanic to me but I’m no expert.’

‘Why do you think Fred didn’t tell us any of this?’

‘I would have thought that was quite obvious. He is protective of his group and Mary’s name. He won’t want her reputation sullied after death.’

‘But you think it was important enough to tell us?’

‘Yes.’

‘He knows this?’

‘Yes.’

‘And his reaction?’

‘He’s worried that you’ll disband his group.’

‘Why would I do that? It’s a free country. Unless they’re sacrificing sheep and dogs of course.’ Kelly watched for Joe’s reaction. He gave none.

‘How important is the wren?’

‘I was wondering when you’d get back to that. The King of Birds. It’s hugely important to the Pagan.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. It’s migratory and shrouded in traditional folklore about being a talisman of sorts. It tricked the eagle in a contest to see who was the king of birds by hiding under its wing, so when the eagle could fly no higher, the wren came out and won the title.’

‘Clever little things.’ He told her what Sandra had shared, almost to the letter.

‘Treasured by naturalists.’

‘Mary kept lots.’

‘You don’t keep wrens, they migrate every year.’

‘The wrens in Mary’s yard were locked in cages.’

‘But that’s impossible.’

‘This Kirk Junker, did he have a way with animals?’

Joe looked deep in thought and took a minute to answer.

‘His reputation for seduction was more directed towards women, but yes, he had a way with animals, as you put it. They went silent and cowed around him. I saw it with Bertha, Fred’s Labrador, as well as birds in the garden.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Deadly. Birds didn’t sing when he was around.’

Kelly saw an image of Mary’s pets falling silent as they saw a figure approach them.

‘Can we speak to your wife now?’ Kelly asked.

‘I’ll go and get her.’

Joe left the room and Kelly raised her eyebrows to Rob. ‘What do you think?’

‘I told you they were altars. I reckon we’re on to something.’

‘Bloody hell,’ Kelly said, looking past him.

‘What?’ Rob asked.

‘I know that boy.’ She pointed to a family portrait. It would appear that Josie’s boyfriend, Callum, was Joe Spencer’s son.

‘Important?’

‘Not really, he associates with a friend’s daughter, that’s all.’

‘Small world.’