Spence drained his coffee cup. ‘Well, she may have been sleeping in there. He’s been dead four days now, which brings me to no weekend leave.’

‘How’s everything with your wife?’ Jane asked.

‘She hasn’t changed the locks, but we’re supposed to be sitting down to talk to the in-laws tonight. So, it’s either going to be “pack your bags”, as they bought the flat, or try and make us go to marriage counselling.’

‘Are you prepared for that?’ Jane asked.

‘Counselling? Yeah, I don’t mind. Right now I could probably use some. I’m in two minds about my career. That Collins bloke is very thorough, used to discussing finances and knows what he’s doing. I sat in on the interview with the accountant at the firm and I felt like a spare prick at a wedding.’

Jane looked around the canteen and leaned closer. ‘Have you heard what exactly happened with Tim Arnold?’

‘I heard that he was out watering the window boxes at the front of the station, stepped back to admire his blooms, fell off the pavement and a cyclist ran him over.’

Jane shook her head. ‘Ha ha. Very funny. I heard he was with the guv at the murder site and complained of feeling ill. I think Tyler had just about had enough of poor old Tim’s stomach ailments and there were a few unpleasant words.’

Jane was about to get up and order another coffee when Gary Dors came into the canteen. ‘The guv has asked for everyone to be at a briefing at six p.m.,’ he said after spotting them.

Jane hurried from the canteen and returned to her desk to finish off her report. She was printing out copies when the FBI agent came and stood beside her.

‘What is your opinion of Justine Harris?’ Harry Bellamy asked softly.

‘My opinion?’ Jane replied, confused.

‘Yes, what do you think of her?’

‘Well, I have talked to her on two occasions and found her to be very pleasant and quite helpful, but I couldn’t really give you an honest opinion as I haven’t spent enough time with her.’

Bellamy turned and leaned against the side of the printer, his hands in his pockets. ‘That’s all you’ve got to say?’

‘Yes. I really haven’t spent enough time with her to give a fuller assessment. I do know from conversations with the people at her ex-husband’s agency that she had a temper and could be very difficult. But, as I said, she seemed very amenable considering the appalling situation.’

Bellamy nodded. ‘Well, good luck. I have to return to Oxford tonight. But I’ve given DI Miller a character study from the tape recordings.’ He moved away slightly, before turning back to Jane and looking down at her. ‘You may find my conclusion interesting.’

Jane stacked the papers from the printer. ‘Oh, yes?’