‘There’s apparent abuse in the Junker family, so I’m concerned for the welfare of the wife and daughter. Turning up randomly in the early hours, in a psychotic state, mute and afraid, and refusing to communicate with authority: it’s all indicative of victim-like behaviour. She was terrified of her father, perhaps? We re-appeal for the naked girl, with her name, along with her mother, and see what happens. I’ve got an artist working on what she might have looked like as a little girl too. As far as they recall, the O’Reillys have no photos of them. On to this man.’ Kelly brought up the file on Jock Harris’ statement, and beside it the photograph found in Carla Rigg’s wallet.

‘He meant a lot to her. HQ have agreed and I’ve made arrangements to have both Jock Harris and Fred O’Reilly brought in under caution.’ Kelly let everyone finish taking notes and moved on to the knife.

‘When Mary Hales was examined, her wounds had been inflicted by two separate knives. One we found at the property: a large kitchen knife taken from the kitchen block. The other was never found. All the knives at the property were examined forensically. The coroner told me that he believed it wasn’t a regular kitchen or eating knife, but an ornamental one that could have been curved.’ She pulled out the evidence bag and showed it to everyone. She put on gloves and removed the knife from its sheath and held it up. ‘This is a ritual knife, called an athame, used in Pagan worship. It belongs to Fred O’Reilly. Now, his prints will be all over it, but I want it tested for human blood, other prints and blade shape. He also told me that you can get different versions. Emma? Could you get a collection of them together for me to show the coroner to see if he can match any of the blades with Mary’s wounds? Then at least we’ll have an idea of what we’re looking for. Rob? Was there an athame on Mary’s altar? Fred told me that she had one and it looked a bit like this one.’ She showed them the photograph of the athame that Fred had identified, with the dragon and blue gemstone.

‘No guv. Definitely not. I itemised everything.’

‘So, it is possible that it was used against Mary and taken away. Right, let’s move on to the body of Carry Tomlin, shall we?’

Kelly closed her laptop and took a chair. ‘What the hell happened?’ she asked. DC Emma Hide shared the little knowledge they had so far.

‘Can I have the photos up? That was quick moving her to the mortuary wasn’t it?’ Kelly said.