‘Hello?’ Cardiff had been busy behind the cordon. ‘Nice clear print here, sir! The soil was recently dug over, so it’s quite loose.’

‘Can you tell what kind of footwear it is?’ Jackman asked.

Cardiff checked her camera. ‘We’ll need to do a proper comparison, of course. But from the smooth sole and the logo, I’d say it’s the same as the one we lifted from the house in Leetoft.’

‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ Jackman said.

‘He’s got rid of the competition,’ Marie said. ‘He wants the midnight hours to himself. But how did he know where Ratty would be? He hasn’t been out for a while.’ She exhaled. ‘I’m guessing he’s been watching Ratty for some time. He probably knew exactly where he and Ma Jones lived.’

‘Well, he certainly followed him last night, didn’t he? On his last nocturnal trip.’ Jackman was surprised at how much this death had affected him. Ratty was hardly an upright, law-abiding citizen. Where was his usual detachment? Come on, Jackman — concentrate. ‘Okay, let’s talk to Miss Armstrong and then head back to the factory. Spike and Cardiff don’t need us looming over them like a pair of vultures.’

‘Speak for yourself,’ said Marie with a grin. ‘I’m nothing like a bloody vulture.’

For the first time that morning, Jackman smiled.

* * *

Stacey was dreading the visit to Ma Jones, and judging by his silence, so was Jay.

As they neared the caravan site, Jay gave a huge sigh. ‘Hate this bit.’

‘Me too,’ said Stacey. ‘It never gets any easier.’

‘I did wonder. But I suppose you learn how to read people better, how they’ll react?’ Jay asked hopefully.

‘Nope. You can never tell how anyone’s going to take it.’ She turned into Teasel Woods. ‘Hello? What’s all this?’

Parked in front of the Joneses’ caravan was an ambulance and another vehicle. People stood around in groups, looking sombre.

Stacey pulled up and they hurried to the site manager’s office. ‘What’s occurring, Mr Moore?’

‘Old Ma Jones, Officer. She’s dead.’ The man’s face was white. ‘I found her.’

Stacey glanced at Jay. ‘Why weren’t we called, sir?’

Harry Moore looked puzzled. ‘Why would I call you? I called an ambulance the minute I saw her, but it was too late. The other vehicle belongs to a first responder from the fire service.’

‘How did she die?’ asked Jay.

‘Heart, I suppose. I wasn’t actually in the caravan when they were dealing with her. They’re still there, waiting for an undertaker to come and collect her. I’ve been trying to get hold of Ratty but his phone’s switched off. He’s gonna be devastated, poor sod. Oh, and his mate wants his car back. Where is the silly bugger? He oughta be here.’