To Annie and James.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you both.

Janet xxx

‘I can see why it gave you a fright, Annie,’ he said. ‘It’s the same as the cards that were placed on Lorna Manning’s body and delivered to me and Father Silver. But I don’t think it means that Janet is—’

‘Hold on a sec,’ she broke in. ‘What’s this about a card on Lorna’s body? You haven’t told me anything about that.’

He realised his mistake and sighed. ‘That’s because I haven’t seen you since we found it.’

‘Did it contain another message?’

He nodded. ‘I’m afraid it did.’

‘Then are you going to tell me what it was?’

‘I really shouldn’t.’

‘Oh, come on, James. Don’t start hiding things from me. I’m caught up in this whether you like it or not. So I’ve a bloody right to know.’

He conceded the point, and after a swig of whiskey, he brought her up to date. He told her about the card found in Lorna’s dressing gown and the message that read: Two down, ten to go. Merry Christmas to the people of Kirkby Abbey.

Annie’s eyes shot wide as she sucked in a loud breath.

‘Oh, my Lord, James. That’s shocking.’

‘I know, Annie. But the perp’s living in La La Land if he really believes he can claim ten more victims.’

He then showed her the picture on his phone of the framed photo of Lorna that was left on Nadia Patel’s grave.

Annie listened to him without speaking, a variety of emotions twisting her features out of shape.

It was when he got to the phone call from Andrew Sullivan that she was prompted to ask a question.

‘Do you think he was being honest?’ she said.

James shrugged. ‘His alibi is being checked out, but it’s got to the point where I genuinely don’t believe he’s behind this. The evidence, such as it is, points to someone living here in the village. And by the way, Janet Dyer is not on our list of suspects. She probably bought a bunch of those cards from the village store just like so many other people have.’

‘I do hope you’re right,’ Annie said. ‘I would hate to think she’s somehow involved.’

‘I’m sure she isn’t,’ James said. ‘But I will go and talk to her tomorrow. Now, what about your uncle? Did you manage to track him down?’

She nodded. ‘I had a drink with him at The King’s Head after I left the church. He said he went for a walk last night but didn’t meet up with anyone. This morning he went to the garage to check on his car, which had been recovered.’

‘Well, I did mention to the DCI what you said about Bill,’ James said. ‘It’s been agreed that I should have a chat with him, just to be sure I’m right in believing he’s not the perp.’

‘I don’t think he is either,’ Annie said. ‘It’s just that his behaviour has been so odd and all this bad stuff started happening as soon as he arrived here.’