Back at her basement flat on Maids Causeway, Tilly was pacing up and down the small living area. Yuki, who sat on the sofa tucking into a steaming bowl of noodles, watched her flatmate with fascination. Tilly looked like a trapped tiger.

‘What wrong?’ Yuki asked with her mouth full; a dribble of broth ran down her chin.

‘Why didn’t he have his glasses? It doesn’t make sense.’ Tilly stopped pacing and turned to her friend.

‘You must forget it. Police get killer. You no detective.’ Yuki was already sick to death of listening to Tilly obsess over a pair of spectacles.

‘But it’s odd, don’t you think? Why would someone kill a man and take his glasses? It’s weird.’

‘Yes weird. Killer weird.’ Yuki sighed and balanced her empty bowl on the small cluttered coffee table. ‘Let police do their job.’

Although Yuki was frustrated by Tilly’s behaviour, she understood Tilly’s need to focus on any detail other than the fact she had been the one to discovery the body of a murder victim. And that she knew the victim.

‘You come sit. We watch X Factor final.’ Yuki patted a spot on the sofa next to her.

Tilly, who was still thinking about the missing spectacles, agreed but knew she wouldn’t be paying any attention to the reality TV show. She did it to please Yuki and because her body suddenly felt exhausted.

Palmer hated being the bearer of bad news, particularly when it came to his boss. He took his time to cross the floor of the incident room before entering into Barrett’s office.

‘Sir,’ he said to the back of Barrett’s head. His boss was sat in an office chair looking out of the window at the city lights. ‘Andrew Wade was not at his address. His closet and wardrobe were practically empty. He’s done a runner.’

Barrett didn’t flinch. He sat totally still and didn’t say a word.

‘I am liaising with the Thorpe Wood police station and British Transport Police who are searching for his car.’ Palmer sat down in the seat opposite Barrett’s desk and put his head in his hands. He could feel a headache coming on.

‘Is that all?’ Barrett finally said, slowly spinning round in his chair to face Palmer who nodded silently, got up and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Chapter 10

2.40pm Sunday 15th December

The courier removed the parcel from his van that was parked on the icy pavement and approached the front door of New Barn, Butcher’s Hill, in the village of Ickleton.