Detective Inspector Anna Travis arrived at the Richmond Hotel to join the murder team which had taken over the car park. She hurried over to Detective Chief Inspector Glen Morgan who was standing by the police catering truck, 'Teapot One', with a cup of tea in his hand.

'Get yourself a hot drink and then we'll be going over to the tent. And brace yourself: it's not a pretty sight.'

Anna ordered a coffee as the rest of the team huddled in a group around Morgan.

'Paperboy found her this morning. Came in with his mother; he's given us a statement. I let him go as he was very shook up; he's only fourteen.'

Morgan looked across at the second forensic white van drawing up, and then back to the faces of his team. 'I've never seen anything like it,' he said flatly.

'Is she fresh?' someone asked. Morgan shook his head.

'Hard to tell. I'd say maybe a couple of days, but don't quote me. The lab will give us a more specific time.'

Morgan was a good-looking man with cropped dark hair and a leathery complexion. A golf fanatic, he spent most weekends out on his local course. He squashed his empty cup and tossed it into a bin. 'Okay let's get over there, and be prepared.'

'High as a kite, is it?' asked a young detective.

'There's no stench, but what you see will turn your stomach.'

They made their way down the same narrow lane that Danny had taken to get to the river bank. There a white forensic tent was already erected, paper-suited scientists milling in and around it. There was a large box of paper suits outside, along with the usual masks, overshoes and rubber gloves.

Bill Smart, a forensic expert, came out of the tent and looked at Morgan, shaking his head. 'It's bloody unbelievable.' He removed his rubber gloves. 'I won't be eating breakfast this morning, and that's a first. She wasn't killed on site. Someone brought her here and set up a sick tableau that's had us all stunned. At first glance I'd say we don't have much forensic evidence; maybe come up with more when we get the body over to the lab.'