‘Have you got the registration?’

‘She doesn’t know it so we’ll have to check all the car hire companies around here.’

‘Is there anything in his flat that’ll help us find him?’ James asked.

‘It’s a very small place. Just one bedroom, a kitchen and a lounge. I’ve had a good look round and there’s nothing. He’s taken all his personal belongings with him. Forensics can’t get here for a while and we’ll have to wait until morning to get access to local traffic cameras, if there are any.’

‘What about his phone?’

‘The landlady has given me his number and I’ve tried it, but it’s switched off.’

‘Did she know that he went to a wedding?’

‘She did, but she doesn’t know whether he arrived back on Saturday night or early today because she wasn’t here.’

‘And what has she told you about him?’

‘She reckons he was a good tenant and very pleasant, and she said that several different women stayed overnight with him. I showed her a photo of Rachel Elliott and she confirmed that she was one of them.’

James mulled this over. ‘Then it seems we were right to think the guy has done a runner,’ he said after a few moments.

‘I agree,’ Stevens said. ‘And why would he do that if he hasn’t done anything wrong?’

James stifled a yawn and told Stevens he’d see him in the morning.

‘I need to get at least a few hours’ sleep,’ he said. ‘And you should as well. We’re both going to need it. Hand over to the uniforms to finish up there and go home. It’s going to be another long day tomorrow.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

James was out of bed, shaved, showered and dressed by six o’clock the next morning. He’d had a restless night, during which he’d managed to sleep for barely four hours.

And it wasn’t just thoughts about the case that had kept him awake. It was also the wind that battered the windows until the early hours.

Outside, the village was shrouded in snow, which looked to be a couple of inches deep. He wasn’t looking forward to driving to Kendal.

He decided not to bother with breakfast or even a coffee, but he wasn’t prepared to leave the house without checking on Annie and Bella.

He eased the door open and saw that his daughter was snug in her cot. Annie was lying on the sofa and he thought she was asleep until she spoke to him.

‘Are you off then? What time is it?’

‘Just after six,’ he whispered. ‘I’m sorry if I woke you.’

‘You didn’t. I’ve been awake for what seems like ages. The weather sounds awful so be careful out there.’

‘I will. What kind of night did Bella have?’

‘Well, she woke up coughing once, but apart from that she seems to have slept well. Fingers crossed I won’t have to take her to the doctor.’

James leaned over and kissed his wife’s forehead.