‘I don’t have a problem with any of that, Detective Inspector,’ he said. ‘You see, as soon as my dad told me you’d been here and had asked about me, I knew I’d be next on your list. I even anticipated the questions you were going to ask me. So I decided to have the answers ready.’

He reached into his pocket and produced a folded sheet of paper, which he handed to James.

‘It’s all written down there,’ he said. ‘I live in Keswick, as you know, and that’s where I run my own business selling tyres. I had to go back unexpectedly on Saturday because one of my three staff members had an unfortunate accident when a car drove over his foot. I needed to sort things out and I was there until seven in the evening so I decided to stay overnight at my flat. On Sunday morning, I went back to the factory to check things over and stayed for most of the day. While I was there, I dropped and damaged my phone, which is why you were unable to reach me. This morning I drove into Kendal and got a replacement. I’ve written down my address, the address of my business, and the names and contact details of my employees.’

James forced a smile onto his face. ‘That’s most helpful, Mr Curtis. But did you meet anyone else while you were in Keswick?’

‘No, I did not.’

‘When you left your business premises at seven on Saturday, where did you go?’

‘I went straight back to the flat and was in bed by nine.’

‘And were you alone?’

Daniel’s jaw tensed. ‘Yes, I was. And for your information there are security cameras covering the entrance to the block and the car park. So you won’t have trouble verifying that.’

There was a long pause before James spoke again.

‘How well did you know Mr Jenkins?’ he asked.

Daniel shrugged. ‘Not well at all. Before I left the village, I saw him from time to time in the pub and we had short but unmemorable conversations. I haven’t seen him in ages. When I come back to see my father, I usually go to The King’s Head, though not when it’s busy, for obvious reasons.’

‘You mean because you know you’re not welcome here in Kirkby Abbey,’ James said.

Daniel rolled his eyes. ‘That’s exactly right, Detective Inspector. People here hate me and Jenkins was among those who were verbally abusive to me. If it wasn’t for my father, I would never set foot in this place again.’

‘Do you think they’re being unfair given your history?’

Daniel rubbed a hand across his face. ‘Look, that stuff is all behind me. I’m a different person now and very much regret what I did. But I do understand why people here can’t forgive and forget. To them, I’ll always be a pariah.’

‘That must make you very angry.’

‘Only when I see how some of them look at me or when someone has a go at my dad as though it was all his fault.’