James sighed. ‘In that case, you might as well know that I believe she was murdered by an intruder. When you update your story I’d like you to include an appeal for witnesses. It happened at some time during the night and we’d like to hear from anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously in or around Willow Road.’

‘So how was she killed?’

‘As soon as I’ve had cause of death confirmed, I’ll let you know,’ James said. ‘The pathologist is in there as we speak.’

‘Oh, come on, Inspector. You’ve been in there yourself so you must have a pretty good idea. Was she stabbed, and if so, do you believe the killer is the same person who murdered Charlie Jenkins?’

‘It’s impossible to know at this early stage if there’s a link between the two deaths,’ James answered. ‘But, of course, it’s something that warrants consideration, and we’ll be looking for similarities and connections.’

‘So what message do you want to send to the people of Kirkby Abbey?’ Carver said. ‘Should they be worried that a maniac is on the prowl and that nobody is safe?’

James shook his head. ‘That’d be irresponsible and you know it.’

‘Okay, then what advice have you got for those who will be understandably concerned after they hear that there has been another murder?’

‘The main thing is that there’s no need to panic,’ James said. ‘But at the same time, it makes sense for people to be extra vigilant until the person responsible is in custody.’

Carver was eager to ask more questions, but a uniformed officer approached them and whispered to James that the pathologist needed an urgent word with him inside the house.

James told Carver he would speak to him again later and went looking for Dr Flint. He found her in the kitchen looking down on Lorna Manning’s body.

Removing her face mask, she said, ‘First, I can confirm that the victim’s throat was slashed and she was stabbed in the stomach. There are no other wounds. The murder weapon could well be the same knife that was used to kill Charlie Jenkins. I’ll need to do more work to be sure.’

Dr Flint reached behind her and picked up an envelope from the worktop.

‘This was in her dressing gown pocket,’ she said. ‘I thought you should see it before anyone else.’

James put his latex gloves back on before taking the envelope from her. An ugly fear spread through him when he saw that his own name had been scrawled on the front with a black marker.

The envelope wasn’t stuck shut so he opened it and pulled out another of the Twelve Days of Christmas cards.

There was a short message inside, and it caused the blood to thunder through his veins.

Two down, ten to go.

Merry Christmas to the people of Kirkby Abbey.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Annie was in a state of absolute despair. Her face was awash with tears for the second day in a row and there was a grinding ache in her chest.