‘A news alert just came up on my phone,’ she said. ‘The BBC are reporting that the police in London are searching for Andrew Sullivan in connection with a murder. Did you know?’

‘I heard when I got to the office this morning.’

‘Then why didn’t you tell me?’ James thought she sounded more anxious than angry.

‘I’ve been busy, Annie. I was going to mention it this evening. But you really shouldn’t worry. I don’t reckon it will be long before he surfaces and the Met pulls him in.’

‘But if he’s on the run he could be anywhere. Even here in Cumbria.’

‘No way, Annie. I know how these things work. Sullivan will be desperate to stay one step ahead of the law. The last thing on his mind will be getting even with me. And that’s assuming he still intends to.’

His wife drew a breath, and after a long pause, said, ‘Okay, I’ll try not to let it get to me, but whenever I hear the bastard’s name mentioned it freaks me out.’

‘I know, and you shouldn’t allow it to.’

‘That’s easier said than done. But fair enough. I’ll force myself not to think about him. Meanwhile, should I expect you home at a reasonable time? I can make us a nice dinner.’

He hesitated before answering. ‘Actually, I’ll probably be late. We’re working on a big case.’

‘Really? What’s happened?’

He didn’t want to tell her but he knew she’d find out soon enough.

‘I can’t say too much, Annie,’ he said. ‘But brace yourself for some bad news. It turns out that this Christmas was not without another bout of bloodshed after all.’

James knew it was against protocol to share information about a case with his spouse but he took the view that it didn’t make sense never to talk about his job with the person closest to him. There were boundaries, of course, and what he did share with Annie was never anything that could be considered highly confidential.

On this occasion, he told her that three people had been found dead in suspicious circumstances on a farm near Kirkby Abbey, but left out the gory details.

He did reveal their identities, however, just in case she’d known them and could provide useful insight, and because his team were already on their way to speak to other villagers anyway.

‘I’m sure my parents knew them,’ she said. ‘Their names sound familiar and I probably did come across them. But what a dreadful thing to have happened. I feel sick to my stomach.’

‘Try not to let this worry you either,’ James said before they said goodbye.