‘So where’s her camera?’

‘It wasn’t in her house. There were plenty of photographs – scenic views, historic houses, that sort of thing. But no camera. It wasn’t in her car either.’

‘Her parents say they bought her an expensive auto-focus job for her birthday last year to replace her old camera, but there’s no sign of it,’ said Hitchens. ‘We’ve put the details out.’

‘It would be very useful if it turned up somewhere. Especially with a film still in it, eh?’

‘I wish,’ said Hitchens. ‘But if Jenny Weston had photos, why on earth didn’t she tell us about them?’

‘Didn’t trust her friendly neighbourhood bobby, perhaps? Some people don’t.’

‘There’s the question of Ros Daniels,’ said Tailby. ‘We need to clarify the relationship between them.’

‘Cheshire Police think they’ve traced Daniels’ home address to Wilmslow. Her parents are away at the moment, but the neighbours confirm the description. They didn’t seem too impressed with her, apparently. But it’s an upmarket area – more tennis club than Tank Girl. We’ll just have to wait for the parents to come back from holiday.’

‘Could it have been a lesbian relationship that went wrong?’ said Tailby.

Fry frowned. ‘We’ve no evidence of that.’

‘But why was she staying with Weston? Why did she come to this area? And how did she get herself killed? After all, Daniels must have been the first victim, not Weston.’

‘You’re not suggesting Jenny Weston killed her?’

‘If Mrs Van Doon confirms that Daniels died about the same time Maggie Crew was assaulted, as seems to be the case, then we do at least have Crew’s fragmentary memories to go on.’

‘A big man in a blue or black anorak or cagoule,’ said Tailby, quoting from Fry’s report of her interview with Maggie Crew. ‘Well, I suppose Leach fitted the description. We could have put him into a parade.’

‘But we didn’t get the chance,’ said Fry.

Tailby sighed. ‘I suppose all the junior officers are blaming me,’ he said.

‘They don’t understand the position you’re in as senior investigating officer,’ said Hitchens.

‘And you, Paul?’ said Tailby. ‘Do you understand? Or do you blame me as well?’

Fry watched Hitchens stiffen awkwardly, and she knew he was seeking a way to avoid the direct answer. ‘I’m sure you’ll find all the team very supportive, sir,’ he said.

Later that morning, in the West Street canteen, Todd Weenink was watching a workman in blue overalls measuring the width of the room and checking for load-bearing walls. Weenink looked cheerful, as if the canteen was being redesigned entirely for his benefit. He had loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar, and his shoulders bulged under his shirt as he leaned forward to bite into a Danish pastry.