Fry nodded, seething inwardly, but at the same time making a mental note for herself that she’d better mention something to that effect in Cooper’s PDR. Otherwise, Branagh would be on her back asking why she’d overlooked it.

‘By the way, what about the future of Pity Wood Farm?’ said Fry. ‘I understand the amounts of toxic waste produced by the methamphetamine manufacturing process are huge. It can take months to decontaminate a site.’

‘They won’t be decontaminating that place,’ said Superintendent Branagh.

‘No? But surely, ma’am –?’

‘There’s no point even trying,’ she said. ‘The experts have examined the levels of contamination. And, yes, they’re extraordinarily high – not just in the outbuildings, but in the house itself. Not to mention the land around it, where they disposed of the by-products. Decontamination is an impossible job. Pity Wood Farm would always be toxic and uninhabitable. So they’ll be taking the only available option – demolition.’

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

‘Jack Elder is in magistrates’ court this afternoon,’ said Fry. ‘He’ll be bailed, of course. Let home for Christmas.’

‘I wonder if he’ll be safe,’ said Cooper. ‘He must be aware of the possibility that the same individuals who killed Tom Farnham will come after him.’

‘I wouldn’t worry too much about his welfare. But I’m hoping he’ll lead us to his associates. Elder is a worried man, and he’ll want to get away from the area. He’ll need money for that, and some help in disappearing. I think he’ll make contact, and quickly.’

‘But wasn’t Tom Farnham his associate?’

‘There’s someone else,’ said Fry. ‘I’m certain of it. There’s a brains behind the operation. Someone with the right influence, the ability to cover up and call in favours.’

‘OK. So how do we act on this certainty, Diane?’

‘I already have. I’ve got authority to put surveillance on Jack Elder.’

‘We’re going to follow him?’

‘As soon as he leaves court and is discharged from custody.’

‘Brilliant.’

Towards the end of the afternoon, Elder went home from Edendale Magistrates’ Court in a taxi, which returned him direct to his home in Rakedale. Fry and Cooper stayed well behind the rear lights of the cab as it approached the village and turned into Field Lane.

‘Does he have a car as well as the lorry?’ asked Cooper.

‘Yes, a green Nissan.’

‘Pity. The DAF would have been easier to follow.’

Up ahead, there was a strange blue glow in the dusk, as if a UFO had landed behind the trees. When they got closer, the glow turned out to be Jack Elder’s Christmas lights. They were strung along the eaves of his bungalow and looped over his windows in festive abundance. It looked the sort of house where the Christmas tree would play you a carol if you got too near it.