Her marriage had ended acrimoniously but at least there were no kids involved. She’d continued her contraception despite telling Ivan that she wanted to start a family. In reality, it was the last thing on her mind: her career was flying, she loved her body, and she didn’t want to share her cash just yet. He’d found her stash of pills and given her an ultimatum. She’d agreed to acquiesce if he gave up his career to raise the kids, after all, she earned the higher wage. He refused. The marriage was dead in the water after that. Her mother said it was her fault for marrying a Turk. Her friends got her pissed. Her brother told her kids were over-rated anyhow.

She moved on.

She struggled to hear a voice on the other end of the line and almost hung up, but, as she got outside into the fresh air, away from the din, she heard Kelly Porter’s voice clearly. It was late on a Friday: the detective must have some news, she thought.

‘Demi? Can you hear me?’

‘I can now. Christ, Kelly, it’s heaving in there. Thank you for rescuing me, I was contemplating an early night. What have you got?’

Demi was always straight to the point and that’s why she and Kelly Porter got on: neither were bullshitters.

‘Murder. Fifty-nine-year-old female. Odd. Overkill. Arson, stabbing, confidence, control, hate…’

‘Comprehensive, why are you calling me? I thought you’d have something on Carla Rigg for me. Now you’re telling me you have a murder?’

‘Yes. This is new. Forget Carla Rigg. That has gone cold. I thought you might be interested in this, it was good to talk the other day. I thought of you. Will you take a look? It’s right up your alley.’

‘Of course. Send it over now, I’m going home anyway. So you think the victim knew their assailant?’

‘It was passionate. There were animals involved too. They were burned alive; they couldn’t escape. The birds were in an aviary and the dogs were chained up.’

‘Cruel bastard.’

‘Exactly.’

‘Victimology?’

‘Hardly started. She lived alone with her pets, divorced, no kids…’

‘That’s a start, I’m sure my ex would love to see me in pain.’

‘He’s dead. There were no boyfriends according to the neighbours.’

‘Wise.’

‘Oh, Demi, if only we could share a bottle, I miss you.’

‘The way you’re going, I’ll be able to get funding to drop in your way very soon. Don’t you have a reliable psych up there?’

‘Of course, but you’re the best.’

‘Stop it. I’ll raise a glass tonight. Tell me, was the woman killed first, or the animals?’

‘Good point, I reckon the pets were burning as she was murdered. What are you thinking?’

‘It’s worth finding out which was the main target: her or her pets. When is she being examined?’