O’Connor shrugged. ‘Then I’ll take that to mean that you’re not in a hurry to ask me any questions. But just so you know, I’m off to Carlisle today and won’t be back until tonight.’

As he started to turn away, James said, ‘Hold on a sec, Mr O’Connor. I do need to talk to you about your relationship with Mr Bateman and it is urgent.’

‘Okay, then. Do you want to do it here?’

‘No. I was about to leave for the office. Would it be possible for you to return home and I’ll follow you there? I have the address.’

O’Connor gave another shrug. ‘I’m off in half an hour myself so if you can make it quick, I’d appreciate it.’

O’Connor walked off and James closed the door. When he turned, Annie was standing in the hallway looking anxious.

‘That was a bit weird,’ she said. ‘I’m glad I wasn’t here by myself. I wouldn’t have known what to tell him.’

‘I don’t suppose he thought anything of it,’ James said. ‘And it might be something that we should expect to happen whenever a crime is committed on our doorstep and I’m put in charge. After all, this isn’t London. Here every victim, witness and suspect will know where I live.’

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

James called the office and pushed the morning briefing back to nine o’clock. Then he phoned DCI Tanner to tell him that he was going to talk to Kenneth O’Connor before setting off for Kendal.

‘Is there any evidence to indicate that the guy was involved in what happened?’ Tanner asked.

‘Not so far, guv. All we know is that he had it in for Robert Bateman. I’ll find out if he has an alibi and we’ll take it from there.’

Before leaving the house, James asked Annie what she had planned for the day.

‘I’ve got a pile of school work to get through before the new term starts,’ she said. ‘And I’m still trying to decide what to put in the baby’s room.’

‘That’s great,’ James said. ‘Just avoid thinking about all the other stuff.’

Annie forced a smile. ‘And by other stuff I take it you mean the fact that another killer could be living in the village, that our old friend Andrew Sullivan has disappeared and that my head is filled with painful memories that have just been unlocked?’

James didn’t know what to say so he just smiled back.

‘Come and kiss me goodbye, Detective Walker,’ Annie said, holding out her arms. ‘And then go and solve another bloody crime so that we can all feel safer.’

James’s drive to O’Connor’s house took him all of two minutes. On the way a light snow started to fall, filling the air with what looked like thousands of winged insects.