Sandra answered the door and beckoned Kelly inside, explaining that the police artist was with Fred. She was shown into the empty sitting room.

‘It’s a most inconvenient time as we’re having a small gathering to remember Mary.’

‘Gathering? Like a ceremony?’

‘No. Just friends coming together to recall her light.’

‘Her light?’

‘Her spirit.’

‘That’s why I’m here, Sandra, to talk to Fred about the occult.’

‘Goodness me. Whatever for?’

‘Because that’s what you practise, isn’t it? Along with your birdwatching buddies. My team is coming across signs of ritualistic significance as part of a murder investigation. It doesn’t make sense to me and I don’t like that. I need to understand exactly who Mary was in order to comprehend why she was punished.’

‘Punished?’

‘Yes, Sandra. Dying can take some time, and occasionally, that’s the whole point.’

Sandra put her hand to her mouth. Kelly felt mean, but it was the reaction she was after. The secrecy had to stop.

‘I can caution you and all your pals and we can have a gathering at Penrith police station, or you can help me willingly. I’m on your side. I want to know what happened to Mary, and why, but you’ve got to be transparent with me or I’ll have no choice but to interview you under caution. Take me to Fred. Where are your guests?’

‘They’re in the back garden.’

‘Keep them here, please. I assume they’re the members of the “birdwatching” club?’

‘Mainly, yes.’

‘I’ll need to speak to all of them. If they tell you they don’t need to, because they’ve already given statements, then tell them I need another one. Do not let them leave, please.’

‘Right.’

The unexpected visitors threw Kelly and she considered calling for a few uniforms to take further statements. However, without context, and if they weren’t already working on the inquiry, they wouldn’t know the right questions to ask, and explaining that would take more time than just getting on with it herself. She followed Sandra into the hallway again and upstairs.

‘Why up here?’

‘For privacy. Fred was embarrassed.’

‘He shouldn’t be, he’s helping us.’

‘He was embarrassed that we didn’t tell you about Kirk.’

‘And why didn’t you?’

‘Because he’s long gone. He was horrible, and a stain on our community. He hasn’t been seen around here for years, they obviously moved away.’

‘They?’

‘His wife and daughter.’

‘Daughter?’

They got to the top of the stairs and Sandra led Kelly into a bedroom. Fred looked less than impressed to see her.

‘Will you people ever leave us alone?’ he asked. It wasn’t rude, it was more desperate.

‘Fred, I have to speak to you. Like I told Sandra, we can do it under caution in Penrith if you like.’

‘I am helping! I’m helping your artist.’