‘Sonia’s had time to get over the initial shock of losing her husband,’ he said. ‘I therefore want to see if she can recall things about him that she hasn’t already mentioned to us. For instance, I’d like to know if he was involved in any way with Lorna Manning.’

There followed a short discussion about who would do what, and James told DC Abbott that she would spend the morning with him. The other two detectives would be assigned jobs when they arrived.

He took out his phone to call DS Stevens, as he wanted to know when the team briefing in Kendal would get under way, but just then a uniformed officer with a worried look on his face approached him.

‘There’s a reporter outside from the Cumbria Gazette and he says it’s imperative that he talks to you, sir,’ he said. ‘His name is Gordon Carver and he reckons you know him.’

‘I do, but was he more specific?’ James asked.

The officer nodded. ‘He said he’s received some information that has a bearing on the case.’

‘Then go get him,’ James said. ‘We’ll use the office along the corridor.’

Gordon Carver walked into the cramped office clutching a small leather briefcase under his arm.

James was sitting behind the desk that was usually occupied by the hall caretaker.

‘Hello again, Mr Carver,’ he said. ‘Take a pew and tell me what information you have that you’re so keen for me to see.’

Carver sat opposite James and placed his briefcase on the desk.

‘I believe I’ve had a communication from the killer,’ Carver said. ‘If so, then it raises some questions that I would like you to answer, Detective Walker.’

The reporter reached into the briefcase and brought out an envelope. As soon as James saw it, he felt a shiver of apprehension.

‘It’s a Christmas card,’ Carver said. ‘It was pushed through my letterbox during the night and I found it this morning just as I was leaving the house.’

He dropped it onto the desk and James saw that the reporter’s name was scrawled on it in black marker.

‘Has anyone touched this apart from you, Mr Carver?’ he asked.

‘Only whoever wrote it,’ Carver replied.

James quickly pulled on the gloves he was now carrying with him everywhere and used the tips of his fingers to pull the card out of the envelope.

His pulse spiked when he saw the now familiar Twelve Days of Christmas image. Then when he read the message inside, he felt a cold numbness envelop him.

Mr Reporter

I’ve decided to tell you what I’ve told the police.

Charlie Jenkins and Lorna Manning both deserved to die. The same applies to the other ten people whose lives I intend to end. They have all done bad things.

I suggest you ask Detective Walker about the Christmas card I left on Lorna’s body.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Once again, Annie struggled with being by herself at home. Soon after James left the house anxiety started gnawing at her gut.