“Why aren’t you at work?” Jack asked, as he sat down next to her with an empty glass and an expectant look.

Maggie filled his glass for him. “I took the night off to be with my lovely man, after his very tricky day.”

Jack let his head flop onto the back of the sofa.

“Very tricky . . .” he said. “Between the pervy old weirdos and keeping Ridley off my back, I’m exhausted.”

He glanced at Maggie with a tired smile on his face. She wasn’t smiling back.

“I was talking about saying goodbye to Charlie and Penny.”

Jack put his hand on Maggie’s knee. His day had been so hectic, he’d almost forgotten how it had started.

“Sorry, love. I bought them a pub lunch, we shared a bottle, I waved them off. They had huge grins on their faces the whole time.” Jack glugged half his wine down in one go and rested his head back again. “I know they know what’s happening, Mags, but it’s like they’re in a world of their own.”

“Best place for them, I expect.” Jack loved that Maggie was so wise. “Go on then. Tell me about work.”

“Nah, it’s too late for work talk.” Jack rubbed his eyes hard. “I’ve got a couple new leads on finding Jimmy Nunn though. One of the women I’m tracking down lives in Taunton, so when I go to interview her, I’m also going to call on Aunt Fran. She fobbed me off the other day on the phone, so I’m going to sit her down and make her tell me what she knows. And a guy called Tony Fisher apparently knew Jimmy really well, so I’m going to see him as soon as I can sort the visiting order.”

He couldn’t see Maggie’s face as he was still rubbing his eyes, but she was now scowling.

“So,” she said, “the only man you can find who knew your birth dad really well is in prison. Dare I ask what for?”

Jack looked at her with his bloodshot, watery, very tired eyes. He slowly sipped the remains of his wine. She didn’t need to know that Tony Fisher was in for killing someone.

Chapter 9

Laura was at the vending machines deciding how much sugar to have for breakfast when Jack walked past.

“How was the Isle of Wight?”

She hadn’t noticed that he was on his mobile. He raised a finger.

“Yes, OK, well, will he be back on the wing tomorrow? Ah, day after . . . Yes, it’s in relation to a current investigation. It has no bearing on any conviction he’s in for, no, just background stuff on an old acquaintance . . . If you could, please. Great.”

“Tony Fisher?” Laura guessed.

“The guy’s a pensioner and he took on some 20-year-old wannabe.”

“And I bet he won. You should read his file, Jack. He’s a genuine, old-school psycho.”

Laura collected her chocolate, crisps and can of pop.