Fabel didn’t know how long she had been standing there and got a start when he heard her soft Munich accent. ‘May I?’

‘Yes … yes … of course, Frau Doktor …’ Fabel floundered for a moment with his napkin as he got to his feet and pulled out a chair.

‘I hope I’m not intruding …’ said Susanne Eckhardt.

‘No … not at all.’ He beckoned to the waitress and turned back to Susanne. ‘Can I get you something?’

Susanne turned to the waitress and ordered a glass of white wine. Fabel asked her if she wanted something to eat but she shook her head. ‘I grabbed something at the office. But please, don’t let me interrupt you.’

Fabel took another mouthful of herring. He felt strangely vulnerable, eating while she watched. She tilted her head back to let the sun warm her face; Fabel found himself again in awe of her beauty.

‘I was doing some shopping in the Arcade’ – she nodded towards the bags she had set down next to her – ‘when I saw you sitting here. You look exhausted. It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?’

‘It certainly has. Unfortunately, long days and sleepless nights tend to go with the job.’

Her wine arrived. She raised her glass. ‘Zum Wohl! Here’s to long days and sleepless nights.’

‘Cheers.’ Fabel habitually used the English expression.

Susanne laughed. ‘Oh yes – der englische Kommissar … I forgot they called you that …’

Fabel smiled back. ‘I’m half Scottish. My mother was a Scot and I was very nearly christened “Iain”. Jan was a compromise. Anyway, a lot of people in Hamburg feel at least a little British. They do call it the most easterly suburb of London … I’m sure as a southerner you know what I mean …’

Susanne put down her glass. ‘Oh yes … I didn’t expect to experience culture shock without leaving Germany, but when I moved up from Munich I have to admit I felt as if I were emigrating to a strange land. The people here can be a little …’

‘Anglo-Saxon?’

‘I was going to say reserved … but yes, now that I’ve lived here, I can see why they say that about Hamburg people …’ She took another sip of her wine. ‘I love it though. It’s a great city.’

‘Yes.’ Fabel looked out over the water. ‘Yes, it is. How long have you been here?’

‘Two years … no, it’s nearer three now. I’m really quite settled here.’

‘What brought you here? Was it your job or is your husband from here?’

She laughed at the obviousness of Fabel’s question. He laughed too. ‘No, Herr Fabel … I’m not married … nor am I otherwise involved. I moved up here because of the position I was offered at the Institut für Rechtsmedizin. And through the Institut I was offered the consultative post with the Polizei Hamburg.’ She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and supporting her chin on a bridge of interlaced fingers. ‘And how does Frau Fabel deal with the long hours you have to put in?’