‘I can see you’d think that at first, but look at the way the dirt’s been smoothed around her, the way her hair has been arranged. No, our man came back and disinterred her for some reason. Cover her up, Spencer. Where’s the pathologist?’

‘In the jam sandwich over there, ma’am.’

Kate walked to the large police car and climbed into the back seat. ‘So what’s the gen so far? Am I right in thinking that our man’s been back and dug her up?’

‘Well, well, you are on top form this morning, Kate! I would say that she has been recently disinterred, yes. The facial injuries were inflicted after death, I’d lay money on that one.’

Kate was stunned.

‘You mean he came back, dug her up and then attacked her again?’

‘Spot on. Quite a nice chap you’re looking for, I don’t envy you. Ah, here’s Caitlin, looking a bit the worse for wear. Never was at his best first thing in the morning, was our Kenny.’

Kate watched as Caitlin slid heavily down the stony incline to Louise Butler’s body.

‘One other thing, Katie, the girl was stripped naked last night. He usually leaves the clothes on them, cutting off the underwear. I couldn’t find any evidence of recent sexual activity, but by the marks on the skin of her buttocks I would hazard a guess they were pulled apart recently, and quite savagely at that. Obviously, I’ll know more after the PM. I’ll have the report ready as soon as I can.

‘I hate the stinkers, Kate, especially when they’re young girls. She’s higher than a damn pheasant at the moment. I’ll be tasting formaldehyde with my dinner for days.’

Kate looked at the man beside her and bit her tongue. Nodding, she got out of the car and made her way carefully to where Caitlin was looking at the body. Higher than a damn pheasant! That was a fifteen-year-old girl he was talking about. She hoped against hope that she never became that cavalier about her job.

‘Hello there, Katie darling.’ Caitlin’s Irish brogue drifted over to her on the cold wind. ‘The fucker dug her up, the dirty bastard!’

Kate was gratified at the distress in his voice. If even hard-nosed coppers like Caitlin could still be moved, there was hope for her yet.

‘Well, sir, he saved us a job, didn’t he?’ Spencer’s nasal twang caused Kate, Caitlin and the uniforms to stare at him.

‘Oh, yes, son, he did that all right.’ Caitlin’s voice was sarcastic. ‘Shame all the perverts don’t bury their victims and then dig them up later on. Save a fortune on inquiry charges that would. You stupid eejit . . . Get away out of me sight, before I give you a dig!’