They gaped at him. ‘You’re having a relationship with a wanted illegal?’

‘Shh! No. Of course not.’

‘Well, thank God for that.’

‘It’s not a relationship. Yet.’

Luke was back to interrogation mode again. ‘But you’d like it to be?’

‘Mm.’

‘With a wanted illegal?’

Matthew grinned into his glass. ‘Yeah.’

Luke sat back. ‘Well, I don’t know. What with you and your illicit yearnings and the Seagull Smasher of Team 236 sitting next to me . . . You two are a hell of a lot more interesting than I gave you credit for.’

‘Shame we can’t say the same of you,’ said Jane tartly and they grinned at each other.

No one saw North, watching from the doorway.

She reported back to Ellis, sitting with his leg up and still convalescing in MedCen.

‘It’s a miracle. They’re eating and drinking together. We’ll make a team of them yet, sir.’

He sighed. ‘It may be too late. Read this.’

‘What’s this?’

‘New orders.’

She scanned his scratchpad. ‘A new team member?’

‘Well, we are one down.’

‘It’s a bit late for a fourth, sir, surely.’

‘She’s an experienced officer.’

Something in his voice made her look up. ‘Who is it?’

He took a breath, doing his best to keep his voice light and neutral. ‘Smith.’

‘Sarah Smith?’

He nodded, saying nothing. She knew he wouldn’t voice a criticism.

She protested. ‘But the three of them are just beginning to gel.’

‘Yes. This is really going to upset the applecart. Although to be fair, this time last week they didn’t even have an applecart.’

‘True, sir, but surely it’s unusual to introduce a new team member so late in the programme.’

He shrugged. ‘I’m stuck in here and you’re only temporary. Having a senior member will keep them out of Grint’s clutches. They wouldn’t do well in his team; Parrish would be in hospital by the end of the week.’

‘Smith’s a long-standing officer,’ North said bluntly. ‘She’ll have seniority over them.’

‘Something they’ll have to work out for themselves.’

She sighed. ‘Well, it’s a shame. I was becoming quite fond of the three of them.’

He laughed. ‘Like pets.’

‘Exactly. Reading their reports has given me a great deal of entertainment over these last weeks, and their attempts to capture and then find a home for that rabbit was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in ages.’

‘They do have a style all of their own, don’t they?’

‘When does this happen?’

‘Effective immediately. I’m to return to light duties at the end of next week and you . . .’ He paused.

‘Yes, sir?’

‘Having Smith sets you free. You’ve got your wish, Celia. You’re off to the Hunter Division. End of this month. Congratulations.’

‘Oh.’ There was a short pause before she said, ‘Thank you.’