‘Oh no, they did “preparations”,’ Howard said, complete with air quotes. ‘Although in reality all that meant is they knocked down everyone’s houses and lined the valley with concrete. Even if you drained that entire bloody reservoir right now, you wouldn’t get any of it back. Lost forever. You can’t even imagine the uproar at the time. It was unbelievable. Makes that fiasco over the bloody McDonald’s seem like a primary school protest.’

Rutland had, until recently, been the only county in England without a McDonald’s — something which was on the verge of changing, after planning approval had been granted for a restaurant on the outskirts of Oakham. Despite Howard’s belittling of the situation, Caroline felt sure he was exactly the sort of person who would have opposed it.

‘So what was the basis for doing it? What was it all about?’ she asked.

‘Anglian Water needed more infrastructure. They own Rutland Water to this day. They turned it into a tourist hotspot too, with the boating, fishing, walks, bird spotting… the list goes on. It brings a huge number of tourists in, who spend money in hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops. Keeps the county busy and bustling. So, I presume this is all about the body that was found down at Normanton?’

‘We can’t comment on any specific cases,’ she said.

‘That’s a yes, then. Listen, I know everyone round here. If you need any help or information, just give me a call, alright? Always more than happy to help out.’

23

Caroline and Dexter left Otters, crossed the road and headed back up Church Street, towards the police station.

‘You’re still not convinced, are you?’ Dexter said, recognising the look on his boss’s face.

‘About what?’

‘That it’s historical, somehow.’

‘It just makes no sense. I mean, think about it. If it’s linked with history in some way, why not do it back then? Most murders are committed when emotions run high, when feelings are fresh. It’s a heat-of-the-moment thing.’

‘I dunno. This seems pretty well planned and pre-meditated.’

‘Yes, but fifty years’ worth of planning? I think that’s probably going a bit far. And again, it makes our killer a pensioner. From a practical point of view, if this is historic, why not do it before CCTV’s widespread? And mobile phone tracking. Forensics, even. Every day the killer waited, their job got harder.’

‘What if they didn’t care?’ Dexter said. ‘What if they wanted to be caught? What if that was the whole point?’