‘They might. I’m just not sure any of them will be looking outwards. We’ll see what we have.’

‘I assume your team will be out here to take some of the strain?’

‘My team?’

‘Oh … do Major Crime not work Sundays?’

‘Major Crime …’ Joel smiled. ‘They do, of course they do. My team is … well, it’s me really. And a DS on a day off.’

‘So it’s just you?’

Joel shrugged, trying to play it down. ‘There’s not much that can’t wait until tomorrow, on our side of the business anyway. Today it’s CSI and starting a scene log and me seeing what I can find out about our victim. The one thing I will need to do is talk to the next of kin. Has anyone done that yet?’

‘No,’ the sergeant said. ‘That’s been assigned to me. The Force Control Room have put the details on a separate CAD. There’s record of his wife, Sharon Evans. She lives out in Lydden so not that far from here.’

‘OK, don’t worry about that. I’ll deliver the message. I’ll need to talk to her anyway.’

‘Can’t say I’m disappointed,’ the sergeant said, and Joel could certainly understand her relief. Delivering a death message was always the worst part of the job.

Movement down in the car park dragged Joel’s attention. A small van pushed its way through the barrier. The livery announced it as his CSI support.

‘Here come the cavalry. That trip out for a pint of milk is already looking pretty epic,’ the sergeant said, her face now carrying more than a hint of mischief.

Joel checked his watch. ‘Yeah, I might have to have a rethink on that.’

The sergeant’s mischief spilled over into a broad grin. ‘Up it to flowers, that would work for me.’

‘I played the flowers card a long time ago.’

Chapter 32

Joel had reviewed the CAD to see what was known about Sharon Evans. The FCR had included details of the home address and brief information of two children, both shown as residing there. Part of his visit would be to get more details. It could be an essential part of his investigation, but before clarifying the setup at that family home he was going to have to destroy it.

The house sat back from the road at the end of a long drive. Joel had a sinking feeling as he noted the windows and porch were still in darkness, despite the gathering gloom, and the drive was empty of cars. He still swore when there was no response to his knock.

‘She’ll be out. Help you?’

Joel turned to a man just visible between two tall bushes on a neighbouring path.

‘I was hoping to speak to Sharon Evans. Does she live here?’

‘Who’s asking?’