They arrived at the station just in time to watch the press conference that was going out live on the news from Carleton Hall in Penrith and the team were gathered round the various TV monitors when James and Abbott walked into the office.

‘Good timing, guys,’ DS Stevens said to them. ‘We’re all geared up for the briefing when this is over and I’ve made sure there’s an interview room ready and waiting for when Carlo Salvi gets here. I’ve also arranged for a duty solicitor to be on hand to represent him.’

On screen, Tanner was sitting behind the table that was usually wheeled out for pressers and a woman from the media department was next to him.

The DCI was in his element on these occasions and James was reminded that if he got promoted, he would have to front more of them, a prospect that most definitely did not appeal to him.

Tanner kicked off with a short statement in which he described what they believed had happened to Rachel Elliott during her sister’s wedding on New Year’s Eve. Most of it was already in the public domain, but that didn’t make it sound any less chilling.

‘This was a tragic event that has devastated Rachel’s family,’ he said, ‘and it’s the last thing one would expect during a wedding on our beautiful Lake Windermere. Our team of investigators have been at the scene since soon after it happened and dozens of people have already been questioned. I would like to assure Rachel’s family and friends that we’ll leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring her killer to justice.’

He then invited questions and it came as no surprise to James when Gordon Carver stood up and asked the first on behalf of the Cumbria Gazette.

‘Your officers appealed for information on the whereabouts of Rachel’s boyfriend, a Mr Carlo Salvi,’ he said. ‘We understand that he was with her at the wedding but left the hotel before the police arrived. Can you confirm that he’s now been found?’

‘I can confirm that, yes,’ Tanner replied. ‘Mr Salvi will be helping us with our enquiries.’

‘Is it true that he was arrested at Heathrow Airport before he was able to board a flight to Italy?’ Carver asked.

Tanner held up his hands. ‘Look, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go into any great detail about the circumstances surrounding it at this time. Suffice to say, we’re glad that we’re now able to speak to him and we’re hoping that he can shed more light on what happened to Rachel.’

Before Carver could ask a follow-up question, Tanner pointed to another reporter who identified himself as being with the BBC. He wanted to know if Salvi should be described as a potential witness or a potential suspect.

‘At this point in time we regard him as a witness,’ Tanner answered.

More questions followed and the DCI answered them as best he could. None of the other suspects were mentioned by name and James felt that Tanner had been given a relatively easy ride by the hacks.