‘So do you think killing Natalya might have been a mistake? That the attacker didn’t want to kill her? Just subdue her? Or that the killer, her abductor, panicked and stabbed her?’

‘I simply can’t answer those questions with a yes or no. I speak facts, it’s for you to put the story of those facts together.’

That was fair enough. They were questions she’d have to just keep in her head.

‘These two victims are linked. We believe they knew each other. Which is why I’m keen to understand if they could have been killed by the same person.’

‘You know it’s not possible for me to draw such a conclusive opinion. And as I’ve just explained, the wounds, on the face of it, do appear to be quite different in their delivery. But, having said that, based on the nature of the wounds, the damage caused, the size of the incisions, the clean cuts with little tearing, I do think that a very similar knife was used to kill both people. Could it be the same knife and the same person? Absolutely it could.’

Dani simply nodded at that and Ledford looked slightly disappointed that his moment of revelation hadn’t caused a bigger reaction. Yes, the news was exactly what Dani had been gunning for, but until they had a killer locked up or at least some tangible evidence – the murder weapon, DNA – they were just putting two and two together.

‘And the type of knife?’ Dani asked.

‘Something rudimentary. A kitchen knife perhaps. Something with a long, thin, single-edged smooth blade. I think I said before, one and a half inches wide, maybe as much as two, and at least five inches long. Probably a relatively dull point to it.’

Dani was taking all of Ledford’s words in, but as she took a deep inhalation of breath her mind went foggy, queasiness setting in as she stared at the two bodies right there in front of her.

‘Toxicology results aren’t back yet so that’s really all I have for you right now, but you’re welcome to take a look at my detailed notes. I was just writing them up.’

What Dani wanted was to go and get some fresh air. She was glad when she heard her phone vibrating.

‘I’d better take this,’ Dani said. ‘I’ll wait until you’ve got the full report completed before I take a proper look. Thanks for your time, Jack.’

‘Very well. Just doing my job, Detective.’

Dani grabbed her phone and pressed the green button as she headed back out into the corridor. She took a massive lungful of air as soon as she stepped out, the rush of oxygen together with the still present death smell swirling around inside her and making her feel dizzy for a few seconds.

‘DI Stephens,’ Dani said as she lumbered along, searching for the exit.

‘Dani, it’s me.’