It was a grim reminder that before the bodies were discovered at Oaktree Farm, the villagers had been determined to make the most of the festive period. Last year it was ruined by the string of murders, and this year they had hoped, and expected, things to be different.

He couldn’t imagine that anyone would be in the mood to celebrate the New Year that was just four days away. He and Annie had nothing planned, but it was just as well as there was a good chance he would still be bogged down with the investigation by then.

When he drew close to Kenneth O’Connor’s home the street outside was awash with high-visibility vests. As a result, O’Connor’s neighbours had come out of their homes to see what was going on, and several small groups were gathered on the pavements. He was surprised because he’d expected the team to take a low-key approach.

James found a place to park and walked up to the house. He got another surprise when he saw two uniformed officers dragging Kenneth O’Connor out through his front door. He was yelling at them to let him go, but they ignored him and marched him over to a waiting patrol car. He was bundled into the back seat while still remonstrating with them.

James noticed that he was cuffed and so had presumably been arrested. He experienced a surge of adrenaline and wondered if this was a breakthrough of some kind.

He spotted DC Patterson standing next to the patrol car and hurried straight over to him.

‘What have I missed?’ James said. ‘Has O’Connor been arrested?’

As Patterson turned, James saw that blood was dripping from his nose.

‘Jesus, Colin,’ he blurted. ‘What the hell happened to you?’

Patterson dabbed at the blood with a tissue he’d been holding.

‘The fucker punched me,’ he said. ‘He arrived back from his visit to Carlisle just as we got here. When I told him that we had a warrant to search the house he started to kick up a fuss and told me we had no right to. Then he stood in front of the door and refused to move. I grabbed his arm and he hit me and then rushed inside and locked the door. The guys had to break in and pull him out.’

‘You need to get that nose checked,’ James said. ‘It might be broken.’

Patterson shook his head. ‘I’m sure it isn’t. But it hurts.’

‘Either way, we’ll charge him with assaulting a police officer.’

‘And with resisting arrest. But what I’m keen to know is why he felt so strongly about not letting us in. It suggests to me that he has something to hide.’

James decided to have a word with O’Connor before they hauled him off to Kendal.