James saw no point in delaying a second visit to Douglas Hannigan’s house since he lived so close to the station. It was dark when he and Stevens set off in the pool car, but at least it wasn’t snowing.

They were halfway there when the DS inadvertently put James on the spot.

‘There’s a rumour doing the rounds that Tanner is in line for the vacant superintendent job at Carleton Hall. Were you aware of that, boss?’

James felt a flash of heat in his chest. Tanner had specifically asked him to keep it to himself until the official announcement and he wasn’t about to break his boss’s confidence.

‘No, I wasn’t, but it doesn’t surprise me,’ he lied. ‘He’s an obvious candidate. Plus, he lives in Penrith.’

‘It’ll be just up his street too, since he won’t have to come out from behind his desk too often.’

James summoned a smile.

‘It might interest you to know that the team are already having bets on who’ll replace him,’ Stevens went on. ‘And you are far and away the favourite.’

James feigned surprise. ‘Really? I’m flattered, but they could always decide to bring in someone from outside.’

‘I hope not, guv, and you should know that I’ll be rooting for you. Sure, we got off to a rocky start, but you’ve never let me down or disappointed me these past two years. You’re a credit to the team and the last thing any of us wants is for an outsider to come in and start throwing their weight around.’

There were fewer cars parked in the street when they got there and they were able to pull into a spot on the kerb in front of Hannigan’s house.

‘Do we tell him we have a warrant to search the place?’ Stevens asked.

James shook his head. ‘Let’s play it by ear. See what he’s got to say for himself first and then, if we think it’s necessary, we can call in the team.’

‘I don’t think there’s any doubt what he’ll say. It’s his word against that of a woman who’s dead.’

The lights were on inside the house and as they climbed out of the car, James felt the wind bite at his face.

The snow-covered path up to the front door was innocent of shoeprints and James hoped they hadn’t missed Hannigan completely.

James rang the bell and when there was no response after thirty seconds, he rang it again.

Still no answer.

‘What do you reckon?’ Stevens said. ‘Is he out or hiding away in there?’

James banged his fist against the door several times and then bent over with the intention of shouting through the letterbox. He lifted the flap and peered into the hallway.

It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the soft lighting, and when they did his heart lurched in his chest.

‘Oh shit,’ he blurted. ‘We need to break in.’

‘What is it?’ Stevens responded.

‘It’s Hannigan. He’s flat out on his back on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. I can’t tell if he’s unconscious or dead.’