‘Mr Thorpe, you know WPC Loveday?’ he said curtly.

Geoffrey Thorpe looked at Trudy miserably, and nodded.

Trudy nodded back with a small smile as she took the seat beside her sergeant and opened her notebook.

‘Perhaps, Constable Loveday, you might like to conduct this interview?’ Mike said, totally flooring her.

He saw the flash of sheer surprise cross her face, followed by a look happiness that just as quickly flickered into one of anxiety. He understood the reasons for all of them, of course, but no expression showed on his own face. She was surprised to be given the opportunity to question a lead suspect when a sergeant was also in the room. She was happy she was being given the opportunity, but worried she might fall short on the task ahead of her. And perhaps she was wondering just why it was that she was taking the lead? She’d been in the job long enough now, he supposed a shade wearily, to become suspicious of even her work colleagues’ motives.

He could have reassured her that, because he had no idea what questions really needed asking, he had no choice but to allow her to take the lead, and that there were no hidden motives on his part. Also, that it would simply be easier for him to watch the suspect and listen, if he wasn’t the one having to do all the talking.

But, of course, he could convey none of that in front of either the suspect or the constable.

And she was such a tyro he knew that he was taking a chance, but it would be interesting to see what the inspector’s nemesis was made of!

Trudy, for her part, took a deep breath and tried to organise her thoughts. When she’d arrived at the station only to be told that the sarge was already with the witness, she’d believed that her only hope was that she might be allowed to at least sit in and observe. And take notes, of course.

Now that she was actually conducting a formal interview, and on such an important case, she could feel her heart beating fast in her chest, and she felt just a little bit sick. She knew if she messed this up, it might take her years to regain the sergeant’s trust. If she ever did!

Which would simply not do! Why should she mess it up? She’d interviewed no end of witnesses since she’d been working with Dr Ryder, she reminded herself stoutly.

She gave the car salesman a thoughtful inspection, whilst giving him another small but encouraging smile. She knew there were only two ways to go about a formal interview – hard and threatening, or coaxing, and this man, she felt instinctively, would be far more forthcoming if handled gently.