‘I have some significant developments to report,’ Grace announced. ‘The first is that Niall Paternoster, Eden’s husband, was arrested yesterday evening on suspicion of her murder and detained overnight in custody. He will be formally interviewed again this morning by Jon Exton and Norman Potting in line with the interview strategy. DC Alec Butler, our tier five interview adviser, will update us later about what was said last night. This was only his first account and, to date, he has not been challenged on anything he has said.’

He glanced at his notes. ‘During the search of the Paternosters’ home in Nevill Road, last night, some substantial evidence came to light. The first of which was a mobile phone which we have established belonged to Eden Paternoster. Her husband claimed she had brought it with her on their Sunday outing to Parham House, but the battery was low. The Forensics Team, however, found the phone in a drawer in her bed, concealed beneath a pile of her lingerie.’

‘Totally pants!’ Potting said, grinning and looking around.

Grace looked at him a little more sympathetically than normal. ‘But we do have something else that may be significant, which was found wrapped in plastic concealed behind a wall-inspection plate. A torn ladies’ T-shirt, presumably belonging to Eden, on which there are some small blood spots. It has been sent for fast-track processing at the DNA lab.’

He looked at his team, letting that sink in before continuing. ‘They also found evidence of blood on the kitchen worktop and the floor tiling beneath, samples from which have been sent for testing, too. Further of note,’ he added, ‘there’s a wooden knife rack with a knife missing – and from the position and size of the slot, it would appear to be the largest of the knives.’

He paused for a moment. ‘Two perhaps even more significant items were discovered during the search. Both of these were secreted under a loose floorboard in a spare bedroom. The first was Eden Paternoster’s passport, which her husband indicated to the officers who attended yesterday morning, PCs Alldridge and Little, was missing from its usual place.

‘The second was a white gold wedding ring and another diamond ring – possibly an engagement ring. The wedding ring was engraved on the inside with the initials EP–NP, 19.09.15. The initials of Eden and Niall Paternoster and the date of their wedding. When Niall was booked into custody last night, a wedding band was removed from his finger. It had the same initials, reversed, and the same date. This would indicate to me that either she had removed it – together with her engagement ring – before her disappearance, or perhaps more likely if he did murder her, that he removed both to hamper identification.’

There was a brief silence. Several of the team made notes.

Grace continued. ‘At this stage, I’m challenging anything that Niall Paternoster has told us and going solely with the facts we have.’ He turned to DS Alexander. ‘Jack, is there any update from your house-to-house enquiry team from the neighbours?’