‘About bloody time! It’s already after ten so I won’t ask you to come in, but I’m calling a seven a.m. meeting at the station tomorrow. I have been able to secure ten officers who will be doing the house-to-house inquiries, and there will be a press conference at eight a.m. Justine Harris appears to be making a good recovery after taking a substantial but non-fatal amount of Nembutal. I’ve spoken to Mr. Henson and, off the record, he said this was not her first suicide attempt. I also had a lengthy conversation with Mr. Myers at Foxley’s agency, and asked if he could compile a list of people with grievances against Charles Foxley. He was a bit sarcastic about that, saying it would take considerable time. I also asked him to put together a press release, which I can use in the morning.’

Tyler then listed all the names of the sub-agents at the agency who he wanted Jane and Spencer to interview at 9 a.m. Jane quickly jotted down the names as Tyler angrily added that they were now looking after a long-haired dachshund that Spencer had brought back to the station until Battersea Dogs Home could arrange a collection.

‘Maybe the dog could be delivered to Justine Harris’s home as Foxley’s other two dogs are being looked after by George Henson,’ Jane suggested.

No sooner had Jane put the receiver down than the phone rang again. It was Spencer.

‘Has the guvnor been in touch?’ he asked.

Jane relayed back all the instructions, adding that she had been impressed by Tyler’s efficiency. She glanced at her watch.

‘I mean, Spence, it’s eleven p.m. and he is still at the station. You know how early he usually gets off. I’ve often wondered how he would react to a big case. I’m astonished he’s got so much done in such a short time.’

‘You must be bloody joking. He’s had me running around like a blue-arsed fly since I got back to the station. Gave me a load of verbal abuse because of this fucking dachshund the neighbor refused to look after. Anyway, one of the secretaries gave the dog a ham sandwich. She’s called Toots, by the way. Dunno if that has any connection to cocaine.’

Jane smiled. ‘Where are you?’