‘We’re aware of that, sir,’ James said. ‘But it’s our understanding that you stayed in contact with her and we need to ask you some questions about that.’

‘Well, it’s simply not true. I haven’t seen Rachel in ages, so I don’t know where you got your information from.’

‘Look, I’d prefer it if we had this conversation inside,’ James said. ‘So, may we come in? We’ll try not to take long.’

With obvious reluctance, Hannigan stepped back and waved them inside, leading them into the living room, which had two long, deep sofas, a view of the small back garden and one wall of exposed brick.

‘You’d better sit down then,’ he said. ‘I’m not properly dressed because I wasn’t expecting visitors, and I had a late night.’

‘Are you here by yourself?’ James asked as he and Stevens perched themselves on one of the sofas.

Hannigan nodded and sat opposite them. ‘My girlfriend moved in with me a few months ago, but she’s at work.’

James glanced around the room. ‘You’ve got a nice, cosy home, Mr Hannigan. Have you lived here long?’

Hannigan bared his teeth in what passed for a smile. ‘Would you please get to the point, Inspector? I want to know what this is all about.’

James leaned forward, elbows on knees. ‘Let me begin by saying that I’m heading up the investigation into Rachel’s murder and so it’s my job to find out as much as I can about her. I’ve spoken to her parents and during the conversation they told me about your relationship with their daughter and how you broke her heart by calling off the planned wedding.’

Hannigan grimaced. ‘I had no choice. I realised we weren’t right for each other, though I admit it took me far too long. I do regret leaving it so late to tell her. It made everything so much worse.’

‘Were you surprised that she decided to get her revenge when she heard that you were bidding to become an MP?’

‘What are you on about?’ Hannigan said, shifting uneasily on the sofa.

‘You know very well what I’m on about, Mr Hannigan,’ James replied. ‘We’ve established that it was Rachel who gave that photo of you snorting cocaine to the Cumbria Gazette. Her aim was to embarrass you and trash your bid to become an MP. And you either knew for certain that she was responsible or you guessed it, which was why you sent her that birthday card with the threatening message inside. The one we found in her bedroom.’

Hannigan opened his mouth to respond, but James knew instinctively that he was going to deny it so he raised a hand to stop him, and said, ‘I strongly advise you not to lie to us, Mr Hannigan. You must know how serious that will be for you. And you will also know that if you did send that card then we’ll almost certainly find out through forensic analysis.’

Hannigan closed his mouth and worked his jaw in circles as he thought through what he was going to say. James sat up straight and waited, satisfied that their suspect was on the back foot.