‘Great.’ Hawkins scanned the scene. Empty fields stretched away in each direction, the mid-night December darkness broken only by distant trees and the lights of what looked like a small village a couple of miles away. Cold wind came in bursts across the open ground. She also noted the dim glow from a window in the silhouette of a nearer, lone property.

She turned back to Smith. ‘The report says the body was found by a local.’

‘That’s right. Retired chap who lives just across the way.’ He pointed to the nearby property. ‘Bit of a busybody, by all accounts.’

Hawkins groaned, all too familiar with Neighbourhood Watch types who had very little neighbourhood to watch. ‘I’ll need to speak with him. Did anyone ask him to wait up?’

‘No need.’ Smith nodded towards two uniforms beyond the patrol cars further down the track. ‘He’s still here.’

Hawkins followed his gaze, squinting past the flickering lights, catching sight of a third figure, staring back at her.

‘Fair enough,’ she said. ‘Might as well get this done while we’re waiting. Let us know when we can go in.’

‘Sure.’ The CSM lowered his voice as she and Frank moved past. ‘Watch yourselves. He’s not here for the night air.’

Hawkins nodded without knowing what he meant, and the two detectives crunched and slid their way down the unsurfaced track to where the neighbour stood: a weathered man in his sixties, shifting hyperactively from foot to foot.

‘Hello.’ She waved her ID at the two uniforms who stepped politely aside, allowing her and Frank to take on the containing role.

The old man watched the others retreat before turning inquisitive eyes on the new arrivals, addressing Hawkins. ‘You’re in charge, then, are you?’

‘Sort of.’ She was surprised when he stepped closer than most people would find comfortable. ‘I’m DCI Hawkins, and this is DI Todd. I understand you found the body.’

‘S’right.’ Without warning he popped up on his toes, staring over her shoulder towards the house. Hawkins glanced round to see a SOCO walk in the front door, carrying a large bag.

She turned back, wondering why he was so interested. ‘And you are?’

‘Bill Worthington.’ He dropped back on to his heels, began shifting from side to side again as he pointed across the field, at the nearest set of dim window lights. ‘That’s my gaff.’

Hawkins nodded, waiting for him to continue, but after several seconds of watching him jig, she was forced to prod. ‘What happened?’