The first day of the new year brought with it a cloudless blue sky. No fresh snow had fallen overnight and the forecast was for a dry, bright day.

James woke up at six and showered downstairs so as not to wake Annie. Before taking her up a cup of tea he called The Royal Lancaster Infirmary and was told that William Nash’s condition remained unchanged. However, he was being weaned off sedation and his doctor was confident he’d be fit enough to be interviewed by mid-morning.

Annie appeared in the kitchen just as James came off the phone. She was wearing her dressing gown and fluffy indoor slippers and looked shattered.

‘I was about to bring you up some tea,’ James said. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Well, I’ve been to the loo and I haven’t been sick yet,’ she replied. ‘So, I’m happy about that.’

‘Then why not stay in bed?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m awake now and I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to sleep. I might as well make the tea while you go and get dressed.’

James gave her a kiss and they wished each other a happy new year. He then hurried upstairs to get ready. When he came back down the tea was poured and she’d made him some toast.

‘I’m guessing it’s going to be another long day for you,’ she said.

He nodded. ‘I’ve spoken to the hospital and they reckon we’ll be able to talk to Nash later this morning.’

‘And what do you think he’ll tell you?’

‘I wish I knew. I just hope it will help us bring the case to a close.’

For a moment James was tempted to tell her that Andrew Sullivan had taken out a lease on a house just across the border in Scotland. But he chose not to. Annie hadn’t mentioned the man last night and he didn’t want her to spend today worrying about him.

He left home at seven and decided to stop by Nash’s cottage before making his way to Kendal. The forensics team had been due to resume the search around six and he wanted to see if they’d come up with anything new, but he got a surprise when he saw that the Cumbria Gazette reporter Gordon Carver had beaten him to it. Carver’s car was parked by the roadside and he was standing at the top of Nash’s driveway talking to a PC in a high-viz vest.

James cursed under his breath as the constable waved him through. He brought the car to a stop in the yard behind the forensic van and the officer approached him as he got out.

Flicking his head towards Carver, he said, ‘The guy’s a reporter and reckons you know him, sir. He just turned up and started asking questions.’