‘I’m sorry . . . Right, because the disembowelment was accurate, he might have been a butcher and able to gut animals. I recall that the weapon used in the disembowelment was never found, but the cut-throat razor was left at the scene. I do not think that this was a spur of the moment act but preplanned. I do not believe it was a female, but a man driven by rage at what he considered a betrayal for which he was exacting a horrific punishment.’

‘Thank you for your help. I’ll say goodnight.’ Jane was grateful to Bellamy for calling her immediately after his lecture, so she ended the call, even though she could have asked further questions. Right now she needed to look deeper into Farook’s background.

Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Jane was surprised to see that Spencer was already at the station when she arrived at 8 a.m., looking very smart in one of his favorite tweed suits with a pristine white shirt and floral tie. He beamed at Jane as she took off her coat.

‘On your desk, Sergeant Tennison, you will see copies of Farook’s criminal records. He’s had a couple of assault charges, but I’m still trying to check the electoral register and so far it’s a blank. If he is a foreign national he wouldn’t be registered to vote.’

Jane glanced down the record sheet. ‘Well, it appears he can certainly handle himself. What about previous employment?’

Spencer shrugged. ‘I’m coming up with a blank. I’ve no idea how long he’s worked for Mandy Pilkington, and I’ve got nothing on the housing register either.’

‘But there has to be . . . unless the property is in his wife’s name, and maybe he’s never voted. People can stay undern the radar, you know. What about births, deaths and marriages?’ Jane asked.

‘Nothing. Maybe he’s an illegal immigrant. I can go back and question Mandy Pilkington, but I’m edgy about tipping him off.’

Jane hung up her coat and said she was going to pop up to the canteen. As usual, Spencer asked her to bring him down a bacon sandwich and another coffee.

‘You know, Spence, I sometimes feel as though I’m your personal waitress. How about you offering to get me a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich for once?’

Spencer pushed his chair back. ‘Yes, sarge! Do you want ketchup on your sandwich?’

Jane grinned. ‘Yes please, and no sugar in the coffee.’

Spencer sauntered out as a couple of the team came in, among them DC Gary Dors, who had the worst haircut imaginable. Jane looked over to him.

‘Gary, what possessed you to opt for the hedgehog style?’ She laughed.

‘Shut up! My brother did it. He’s got himself a pair of clippers. I only wanted a bloody trim,’ he replied.