‘Garrotted,’ he said. ‘With something fine and very strong by the looks of it. Probably wire. Not quite what I expected when I was told to attend a sudden death.’

Marie and Jackman, now clad in protective suits, glanced at each other. Wire had been used to bring about the death of Nan Cutler. Was this the work of the same man? And if so, why?

‘Garrotting is a rather, er, professional way of killing someone, isn’t it?’ said Marie.

‘Well, it’s quiet, that’s the thing. A bit of a struggle and they’re gone. Used to be the silent assassin’s favourite method of dispatch.’ Jackman stared at the still form of Ratty Jones. It was him all right. He looked at the nearby uniformed officers. ‘Who found him?’

‘Dog walker, sir.’

‘When was that, Officer?’

‘Around forty-five minutes ago, sir.’

‘He’s been dead for some time,’ added Dr Mason. ‘Probably since last night, but the forensics people will tell you more.’

Jackman nodded. ‘Thanks for turning out, Doc. We’ve got it now.’

The good doctor wasted no time in hurrying from the scene.

‘I think that took our Doc Mason by surprise,’ Marie said.

‘He’s not the only one.’ Jackman nodded towards Stacey Smith. ‘Our Stacey looks a tad shaken.’

‘I’m not surprised,’ Marie said. ‘She and Jay have been spending a fair amount of time out at the Teasel Woods caravan park recently. And it is a bit of a shock, you must admit. Ratty’s been part of policing around here for donkey’s years. He was quite famous. I bet there’s not a copper for thirty miles that doesn’t know of Ratty Jones and his mad mother.’

‘Ah, yes. The mother.’ Jackman called to Stacey and Jay. ‘We need to break the news to Ma Jones, I’m afraid.’

Stacey nodded. ‘We’ve just been talking about that, sir, and if it’s all right with you, we’ll do it. We aren’t exactly on friendly terms, but at least we’re familiar faces, and she understands we were trying to help him.’ She gave Jackman a weary smile. ‘Even if she’d never admit it.’

‘Well, if you’re okay with it, I suggest you go now. We don’t want the grapevine getting to her first. News of this sort spreads like wildfire.’

The two left immediately.

‘Okay, let’s get the facts, shall we?’ Jackman said. ‘Marie, go and find the first responder and we’ll see what we actually know.’

Marie went to speak to the uniforms. Jackman looked towards the house and saw two women huddled together in the doorway. One would undoubtedly be the householder, the other was probably a concerned neighbour or a friend.