‘I never have her. Mr. Foxley’s ex looks after her as she can be vicious – goes for the ankles.’ Mr. Newman seemed to be getting more nervous by the second.

‘Do you have a key to Mr. Foxley’s premises?’

‘Shit, no! No, I don’t have a key. He’s been burgled, hasn’t he? That’s what it is.’

‘Mr. Newman, I am going to ask you if you could please keep the dogs and you will be contacted first thing in the morning,’ Jane said calmly.

‘I can’t take them. I have a job to do. That’s why I’ve come round now.’

Spencer could hardly believe it. Newman turned as if to walk off but Spencer grabbed him by the arm. ‘Just a minute, sir.’

Spencer quickly withdrew his arm as the ferret-faced Newman whipped around.

‘Don’t you lay your hands on me. I’ve done nothing wrong. You got my name, you got my address. I’m not taking charge of them dogs no more. He owes me fifteen quid.’

Spencer caught the smirk between the uniformed officers and gave them a sharp look. ‘This isn’t funny.’

‘Well, at least they’re well-behaved,’ Jane said. She looked at Newman. ‘It would be exceedingly helpful to us if you took the dogs this evening. We are scheduled to be at Mr. Foxley’s office at nine a.m. tomorrow. If you, or someone else, can meet us there, we will have the dogs taken care of. In the meantime, my colleague will give you twenty quid to take them tonight.’

Spencer, known by his colleagues for being tight, was forced to open his wallet, and grudgingly handed over a well-worn twenty-pound note. Newman then moved off quickly with both dogs.

One of the uniformed officers smiled to Spence. ‘That was the easiest twenty quid I’ve ever seen earned.’

Spencer angrily instructed the uniforms to remain on duty until they were relieved and walked off with Jane, who was trying not to laugh herself.

‘As you handled the dog situation so well, Spence, I’ll leave the next-door neighbor to you. I’m going back to the station to grab a bite to eat before seeing the ex-wife in Barnes.’

Spencer was eager to get home so he headed up the steps to the neighbor’s flat and rang the bell. He could hear the sound of the dog yapping and a loud voice saying, ‘No, get down, no!’ He had to wait for a few minutes before the door was opened, still with the security chain in place.

Spencer held out his ID. ‘Mrs. Compton, it’s Detective Sergeant Spencer Gibbs.’

She frowned at him. ‘Nobody told me I would have to look after this dog for the entire afternoon. I’ve had to wash it, dry it and feed it, and keep my cat in his cat basket in a different room.’