But that did not seem likely in the immediate future. The snow was still chucking it down, frantic flurries of white swirling through the village.

The windscreen wipers on the Fiat swooshed back and forth as the detectives made the short journey back to the village hall.

James wanted to update the team as well as check up on Bill’s whereabouts. While there, they would also grab something to eat and drink.

He was feeling more downbeat now, and was hoping that a hot cup of coffee would help him to focus. He needed his mind to be on full throttle if he was going to breach the brick wall that was hindering their progress – and frustrating the hell out of him.

At the village hall, the first thing James did was to pour himself a coffee. He sipped at it while he updated DCI Tanner over the phone.

Once again, the boss expressed his displeasure before informing James that for the time being, he would have to make do with the team he had with him in Kirkby Abbey.

‘The bad news is piling up and the weather is getting progressively worse,’ Tanner said. ‘More roads are now blocked and in addition to the murder here in Kendal, and the M6 pile-up, we now have another major case on our hands. Two twelve-year-old boys have gone missing in Ambleside. They went out to a local park early this morning and didn’t return home when they were supposed to. The parents are frantic. You’ll just have to do the best you can until we can provide more support. I suggest you arrange accommodation for the officers you’ve got with you.’

‘I’ll get onto it right away,’ James said.

‘I also think it’s time to advise villagers to stay in their homes. I’m concerned that this weather will make it much easier for the killer to move around without being spotted.’

‘It’s a sure way to scare everyone even more than they are already,’ James said. ‘But it’ll hopefully keep people off the streets.’

‘Then I’ll issue the advice at the presser this afternoon. And I suggest you spread the word there. Get the officers to go around with a megaphone. We want as many people as possible to get the message.’

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

Annie almost didn’t hear the doorbell ring. The sound of it had to jostle for attention with the TV and the wind outside. And it didn’t help that her thinking had been fogged up since James had come home to tell her about Daniel Curtis.

When she opened the door, it was her uncle who was standing there. He was shivering in his bulky coat, his rheumy eyes narrowed to slits and his lips purple.

‘Bloody hell, what are you doing walking around in this weather?’ she said, then stood aside to let him in.

He didn’t say anything until she’d helped him off with his coat.

‘I heard what happened to Daniel,’ he said. ‘I assume you’ve been told.’