‘Because of a whole family of high achievers.’ He gave a wry laugh. ‘Academic success seemed to come easy to them, whereas I struggled. My dad was a senior engineer in a company that built advanced-technology combine harvesters. My mother, Janice, was and still is one of those amazingly capable and confident women that small villages and rural communities rely on. She runs the food bank, organises charity functions, is an active member of every women’s group in the area and once a year heads up a committee that puts together an amazing ten-day-long flower and arts festival.’

‘She sounds like Superwoman,’ Marie said.

‘In a rural, villagey kind of way, she is. If I had the power to dish out an OBE, she would get it. But you can see why I needed something to be good at, can’t you? The first time I took a drug dealer off the streets, I knew I was on the right path.’ He sighed happily. ‘And when I was part of a team that solved a really tricky serious crime, that clinched it. I was one of the family at last.’

Marie doubted that he would have meant any less to his parents or his sibling even if he had failed at everything.

‘How’s your case going?’ he asked.

She told him that they finally had a name for their killer and that he used to live in the same village as Jackman.

‘Oh, that’s a massive step forward, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘Get a face and a name and everything feels like it’s shifted in your favour at last. Want me to flag it up as a priority in our area?’

‘An attention drawn will go out in the morning to all forces — we reckon he travels about a lot — but please do make your guys aware of just how badly we need to get him.’

They went into the lounge with their coffee. As they sat down, Marie was suddenly reminded of how depressed and angry she’d felt earlier in the day. She resolved to take each day as it came, which included this new relationship. Her phone rang.

She swore. Ralph laughed. Then she laughed with him and answered the call.

‘Sorry to disturb you, DS Evans.’

It was the night duty sergeant. ‘Yes, Sarge, what’s the problem?’

‘We believe it’s your man again, Marie. Someone has tried to gain access to a property in Skeldyke Lane in Saltern. Scared the occupant half to death. Woman living alone again. He took off on his toes, but I’ve got several units and a dog handler out there trying to find him. Will you attend?’

‘Has DI Jackman been alerted, Sarge?’

‘No answer from his mobile and the landline is busy, but I’ll keep trying.’

‘Tell him I’ll see him there. On my way.’

She ended the call and spread her hands.