‘Which we did. Really not seeing the problem here.’

‘Your prisoner was neither restrained nor unconscious.’

‘He’s been brought back for questioning. A bit tricky if he’s out cold – or, of course, the preferred Grint method – dead.’

‘It’s what we do, girlie.’

‘Yeah? Like at Kiev? The great Victory of Kiev? Two days’ vicious hand-to-hand fighting. Three survivors: two Kievans and one Time Police officer, who whips out his gun, kills the two Kievans and claims the victory. The great victory, my arse.’

‘That’s enough, Parrish,’ said North quietly and he subsided.

Lt Grint was a big man who could loom with the best of them. He loomed now. ‘What is your problem, Parrish?’

Seeing that Parrish was all set to explain exactly what his problem was – and probably with gestures – North interposed herself between them again. ‘Thank you, Trainee Parrish. Dismissed.’

‘But . . .’

‘I said, dismissed.’ This was North. There was no need for her to raise her voice. Lockland, watching carefully, could only sigh.

Parrish slammed the door behind him.

Despite being eight inches shorter, North had no difficulty looking Grint in the eye. Ten centuries of aristocratic ancestors, all accustomed to getting exactly what they wanted, exactly when they wanted it, and giving the peasants hell if they didn’t deliver, lined up behind her. ‘Major Ellis asked me to say Captain Farenden is looking for you, sir.’

Grint paused for a moment for everyone to benefit from his Time Police stare. ‘Farrell – get your bloody hair cut.’ And then slammed the door behind him.

Matthew watched him go. ‘Tosser.’

North wheeled around. ‘Farrell . . .’

He sighed. ‘They want you to talk. You talk. They’re still not happy. Yes, yes, I know. I’m on report as well.’

He slammed the door behind him. The room was suddenly testosterone-free.

North surveyed the remaining member of her team. ‘Idiots.’

‘Not all of them,’ said Lockland, defensively.

North regarded her in a not-unsympathetic manner. ‘You quite like him, don’t you?’

Lockland stared at the floor. ‘I wasn’t sure it was allowed.’

‘Well, I think as long as you don’t actually have sex in front of senior officers, they’re generally OK with it. Does he know?’

She shook her head again and the usual unwanted colour flooded her cheeks.

‘Why don’t you say something to him?’

‘I don’t want to be just another notch on his bedpost.’

‘What’s preventing you from making him another notch on your bedpost?’

Jane sighed again.

North was amused. ‘What’s the matter? Don’t you have any notches?’

‘I’m not even sure I have a bed post.’

Leaving the Armoury, North met Major Ellis in the corridor.

‘Well, sir. Wasn’t that an exciting afternoon? I feel the need for a team-leader-financed beverage coming on.’

‘Why?’

‘Lockland got her man, sir. Did you miss it?’

‘Actually, there was so much going on . . .’

‘Good, wasn’t it?’