The discussion then moved swiftly onto the messages in the Christmas cards and the implied threat that ten more people were going to be murdered.

‘I’ve been giving this a great deal of thought,’ DCI Tanner said. ‘Now that there’s been a second killing, we can’t remain completely silent on the matter. It’s best we say something because there’s bound to be a leak at some point. What I propose we do is make it known that we suspect that the same person could be responsible for both murders and that there’s a possibility he or she will strike again. That way we cover ourselves if it gets out. I touched on this with the Chief Constable and she’s happy to go ahead with it for now. She agrees with me that if we go public with everything, we might well encourage a few nutters to start sending out their own bogus threats in Christmas cards. We will, or course, reassure people that we’re looking out for them by having officers patrolling the village day and night on foot and in cars.’

Nobody questioned this approach or raised objections to it and James thought it made perfect sense. If they said absolutely nothing about the threat then they ran the risk of a major backlash once it got out.

Tanner wound up the meeting and said he was leaving it to James and Inspector Boyd to organise the patrols and the next steps in the investigation.

‘Finally, we all need to bear in mind that, apart from everything else, we’re going to have to cope with what we’re being led to believe will be one of the worst storms to hit this part of the country in years. And we all know how the chaos caused by really bad weather can create huge problems for us. So just make sure we’re as prepared as we can be.’

There was just one more issue that James wanted to talk to Tanner about but he waited until they were alone outside before doing so.

‘Sir, my wife’s uncle has come to stay with us for Christmas,’ James said. ‘He’s been behaving strangely and Annie is now wondering if he’s got anything to do with what’s been happening. But if I broach the subject with him it creates a conflict of interest.’

James told Tanner what Annie had said and made it clear that he thought she was worrying unnecessarily.

‘It doesn’t sound like he’s our killer,’ Tanner said. ‘But you’re right to mention it. I suggest you suss him out yourself, but if you feel that it should move to the next level then get DS Stevens to interview him formally.’

‘Thank you, sir. I’ll do that.’

‘And one last thing, James,’ Tanner said. ‘I want you to know that I’m glad we’ve got someone with your vast experience on this case. You have my full support and I’m confident that if anyone can find the bastard responsible for this, it’s you.’